A firing squad? What the….?

Brad Sigmon was shot to death last week. It was his choice. 

Sigmon, age 67, was executed by firing squad on March 9 in South Carolina. He was the first person to die by firing squad in the United States in 15 years. 

If there were such a thing as humanity for prisoners, our organization would not exist. But, even with what little humanity you might find in our justice system, it took a step backward last week! Having experienced some horrific experiences with lethal injections, the State of South Carolina responded by offering alternatives to prisoners facing execution. After being convicted on a murder charge, Sigmon was allowed to choose between three inhumane methods of execution—lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad. 

A personal note. It's not at all uncommon or unexpected that I consistently criticize capital punishment. Early in my career as a prisoner advocate I actually witnessed an execution. My buddy/client Charles Anthony Nealy was executed by lethal injection on March 20, 2007 in Huntsville, Texas, having been found guilty of robbery and murder. I was asked to be his spiritual advisor. I prayed with him in the “death house” before he was killed.  I couldn’t hug him. The State of Texas wouldn’t allow it. 

I am convinced that Anthony was wrongly convicted. For every 8 people executed in the United States, one person wrongfully condemned to death has been exonerated! Those figures have been validated by the Death Penalty Information Center. In addition, there other disparities in execution records…especially involving race and wealth. 

I’m proud to say that the State of Michigan has abolished capital punishment. I’m saddened to report that our country has not. But, we’re in good company. The other leading nations in the world still killing prisoners are China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. 25 people were executed in the United States in 2024. We can expect even more this year. 

For those of us who claim to be Jesus followers, it’s time to take a stand against this barbaric practice. My own denomination has refused to do so, despite the recommendation of a committee on which I was honored to serve. But, the Roman Catholics are on it! Pope Francis has consistently called capital punishment "inadmissible" and an "attack on human dignity". He has urged the Catholic Church and all people of good will to work toward its abolition.

Sister, Helen Prejean, leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and author of the best-selling book, Dead Man Walking, came to Grand Haven for our Humanity for Prisoners author series in 2018. Sister Helen has accompanied six men to their deaths. Her words: "I'm fighting like heck for their life. I don't just take my role as spiritual adviser to be able to accompany them to death and go quietly into their death. I get the legal team whatever is needed so they're not killed. I resist their death in every way I can. When they have been killed, it either paralyzes you or galvanizes you. It galvanizes me."

It's time for you and me to fight like heck!

 

 

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