South Carolina Execution Botched: Prisoner Suffered | JQJO

A South Carolina autopsy reveals that the recent firing squad execution of Mikal Mahdi was botched. Two bullets, neither striking the heart directly, caused liver damage and prolonged suffering before death. Pathologists estimate Mahdi endured 30-60 seconds of conscious pain, contradicting the state's assertion that firing squad executions cause only brief suffering. Mahdi's lawyers argue this violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The state's Department of Corrections has not commented, while questions remain regarding inconsistencies in autopsy documentation compared to previous executions.