Firing Squad Execution Scheduled for South Carolina Death Row Inmate

Sat Nov 01 2025 00:13:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Stephen Bryant, convicted of multiple murders, opts for execution by firing squad, stirring controversy as South Carolina faces execution challenges.

Stephen Bryant, a 44-year-old inmate on death row in South Carolina, has chosen to be executed by firing squad on November 14, making him the third person to face this method of execution this year. Bryant, convicted of three murders in 2004, taunted investigators during his crimes. His decision comes amidst scrutiny over the recent firing squad executions that have raised concerns about potential botched executions and questions about their efficacy and humanity. The state reintroduced the firing squad during a lengthy pause in executions primarily caused by difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A man on death row in South Carolina who taunted investigators with messages written in a victim’s blood has chosen to die by firing squad. Stephen Bryant, 44, is scheduled for execution on November 14.

Bryant was sentenced to death for the brutal killing of Willard TJ Tietjen, whom he shot and tortured in horrific ways. The prosecution detailed how he burned the victim’s eyes with cigarettes and left a taunting message on the wall using the victim's own blood.

Court Challenges Loom

Bryant’s choice of execution method raises the specter of a potential court battle, particularly following the recent execution of Mikal Mahdi, which was marked by allegations of undue suffering. Critics argue that the firing squad, while considered a method of execution, lacks the precision required to ensure a humane death. Mahdi's execution took notably longer than expected, leading to questions about the competency of the volunteers serving as marksmen.

Prison officials maintained that the firing squad only requires the shooters to hit the heart, with reports of mishaps leading to adverse outcomes prompting a thorough review of the method's implementation.

A New Direction for South Carolina

After a lengthy pause in executions, South Carolina added the firing squad as an option following difficulties in procuring lethal injection drugs. Since the moratorium ended in 2024, Bryant's execution will be the eighth in the state, and all but two inmates have selected lethal injection over the firing squad or electric chair.

Investigators revealed details of the 2004 crimes, noting that Bryant terrorized Sumter County with a series of killings, leading to widespread fear among residents. Alongside Tietjen, he also murdered two other men he encountered while offering rides.

Psychological Factors and Bryant's Defense

Bryant's defense team has cited his troubled past, including allegations of childhood sexual abuse, and his substance abuse as pivotal factors influencing his mental state at the time of the crimes. They argue that his struggles with addiction and psychological distress paint a broader picture of an individual in need of intervention.

As the date of execution approaches, advocates for death penalty reform reiterate calls for a reassessment of execution methods, emphasizing the need for humane treatment of all individuals, regardless of their crimes.