Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man who has spent more than 20 years on death row, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad tonight (March 7), making it the first execution of its kind in South Carolina’s history. With just hours left, he has filed a last-minute clemency request, urging Governor Henry McMaster to intervene. Sigmon was convicted in 2002 for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in Greenville County. He beat them to death with a baseball bat and then kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbre, at gunpoint. Barbre escaped before further harm could occur. Sigmon received two death sentences and an additional 30 years for first-degree burglary. All his appeals have been rejected.

His attorney, Bo King, argues that the execution should be halted due to concerns about South Carolina’s lethal injection process. Sigmon had previously sought details about the availability and condition of the drugs, but officials reportedly failed to confirm whether they were expired or compromised. King claims this lack of transparency left Sigmon unaware of his legal rights when selecting an execution method. The case highlights ongoing debates over execution protocols and the rights of death row inmates.