The execution of a convicted cop killer in South Carolina took an unexpected turn when state marksmen failed to properly strike his heart during a firing squad execution.

According to Daily Mail, Mikal Mahdi, 42, endured an excruciating death on April 11 when the three-person firing squad missed their intended target, causing him to suffer far beyond the expected 10-15 second window before death.

An independent autopsy revealed only two distinct bullet wounds in Mahdi's torso despite three marksmen being involved in the execution. The shots struck above his abdomen instead of his heart, piercing his liver and pancreas. Witnesses reported hearing Mahdi cry out and seeing his arms flex upon impact, followed by audible breathing and groaning that lasted about a minute before he was pronounced dead four minutes later.

Failed execution raises concerns about state protocols

The South Carolina Department of Corrections conducted its own autopsy, claiming all three bullets struck Mahdi, with two entering his body at the same spot. However, Mahdi's legal team questioned this explanation, noting the state's autopsy report lacked crucial details, photographs, and X-rays that could verify this unusual claim.

Dr. Jonathan Arden, the pathologist hired by Mahdi's attorneys, estimated it took 30-60 seconds for Mahdi to lose consciousness – significantly longer than predicted. During this time, Mahdi likely experienced intense pain from shattered ribs and a broken sternum while struggling to breathe with damaged lungs.

The execution stands in stark contrast to Brad Sigmon's firing squad execution in March, where three distinct bullet wounds were documented and his heart was completely destroyed. Sigmon's autopsy included comprehensive documentation with X-rays, multiple photographs, and clothing examination.

Convicted killer's tragic path to death row

Attorney David Weiss expressed grave concerns about the execution process, stating:

The autopsy confirms what I saw and heard. Mikal suffered an excruciating death. We don't know what went wrong, but nothing about his execution was humane. The implications are horrifying for anyone facing the same choice as Mikal. South Carolina's refusal to acknowledge their failures with executions cannot continue.

Mahdi was sentenced to death for the 2004 murder of Public Safety officer James Myers, whom he shot at least eight times before burning his body.

Myers' wife discovered his charred remains in their backyard shed, which had served as their wedding venue just a year prior. Mahdi had also pleaded guilty to killing a convenience store clerk days before Myers' murder.

Complex background shapes death row inmate's final days

Mahdi's attorneys sought clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, highlighting their client's troubled background. Abandoned by his mother at age four while fleeing domestic abuse, Mahdi was raised by a mentally ill father. Between ages 14 and 21, he spent over 80 percent of his time incarcerated, including 8,000 hours in solitary confinement.

His legal team argued that Mahdi had transformed significantly since his crimes, developing deep remorse for his actions. However, prosecutor David Pascoe had previously characterized Mahdi as the "epitome of evil" during his 2004 trial, describing his heart and mind as "full of hate and malice."

The execution proceeded after Mahdi's final appeal was rejected. He chose not to make a final statement and avoided eye contact with witnesses as he was strapped to the chair, hooded, and marked with a white square bearing a red bull's-eye over his heart.

Execution controversy demands answers

Mikal Mahdi's botched execution by firing squad on April 11 has raised serious questions about South Carolina's death penalty protocols. The convicted killer of police officer James Myers endured a prolonged death after state marksmen failed to properly strike his heart.

This incident marks South Carolina's fifth execution in less than eight months and the second by firing squad this year. While state lawmakers maintain this method is the quickest and most humane way to carry out death sentences, the apparent failures in Mahdi's execution have prompted calls for greater scrutiny of the state's execution procedures.

Lessons to Learn From This Tragedy

1. Review and revise execution protocols: Ensure that execution methods are carried out with precision to prevent unnecessary suffering.

2. Enhanced training for execution teams: Adequate preparation and training must be mandatory to adhere strictly to the protocols.

3. Transparent and accountable oversight: Establish a transparent process that allows for accountability and oversight in capital punishment practices.

It is important to remember, however, that despite precautions, crime can affect anyone, and it is essential not to blame victims for the tragedies that befall them.

Why This Story Matters

This incident demands public attention because it highlights fundamental issues in our justice system's implementation of capital punishment. The prolonged suffering documented in this case raises serious constitutional questions about cruel and unusual punishment.

The discrepancy between state and independent autopsy findings emphasizes the need for transparent, accountable execution protocols that meet ethical and legal standards.

Conclusion

A South Carolina firing squad's failure to properly execute Mikal Mahdi resulted in an extended, painful death lasting several minutes rather than the expected 10-15 seconds.

Independent autopsy findings revealed only two distinct bullet wounds that missed their intended target, contradicting state claims of three successful shots. The incident has sparked demands for review of the state's execution procedures and greater transparency in capital punishment protocols.