A man who had been convicted of three murders met his end by a firing squad during an execution on death row. Stephen Bryant, aged 44, chose this method over more common options like lethal injection or the electric chair. He became the third person in South Carolina to face a firing squad this year, with three prison staff members using live ammunition for the execution.
Bryant had spent 21 years on death row for killing three men in a span of five days, including a father who had sought his help when his car broke down near Bryant’s residence. During his execution, three relatives of the victims acted as witnesses, holding hands at the South Carolina jail.
The murderer, who remained silent before his death, passed away shortly after the firing squad’s action. He marked the seventh person executed by South Carolina in 14 months, following a 13-year hiatus in executions due to difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs.
Meanwhile, in Florida, the state executed its 16th person of the year on Thursday night, setting a record for the number of executions within less than a year. Bryan Frederick Jennings received a lethal injection for the rape and murder of a young girl four decades ago.
For his final meal, Bryant requested a spicy mixed seafood stir-fry, fried fish over rice, egg rolls, stuffed prawns, two desserts, and a slice of German chocolate cake.
Bo King, a South Carolina attorney specializing in death penalty cases, revealed that Bryant had suffered from a genetic disorder, endured abuse from family members, and faced the negative effects of his mother’s alcohol abuse, which caused lasting damage to his body and mind.
King stated that Bryant’s impairments made it difficult for him to cope with the traumatic memories of his childhood. He acknowledged Bryant’s forgiveness towards his family and his love for those inside and outside of prison.
In addition, King highlighted Bryant’s unusual friendships, protective nature, and his passion for nature, water, and the world. Bryant had confessed to the murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen in 2004 and two other men in separate incidents where he offered them rides before shooting them in the back.
Authorities noted that Bryant’s modus operandi involved luring victims with offers of assistance before committing the crimes. Residents were cautioned to be wary of strangers asking for help during the search for the killer.