South Carolina man who opted to face a firing squad for his crimes enjoyed an upscale final meal before facing death.
Mikal Mahdi, 42, did not give a final statement before three volunteer sharpshooters opened fire in the execution chamber on Friday. The Associated Press reported that he cried out as the bullets struck him, and his arms flexed. After about 80 seconds, his breathing ceased.
Although Mahdi had nothing to say before his death, he did opt for a final meal. Prison officials reported that Mahdi requested ribeye steak cooked medium, mushroom risotto, broccoli, collard greens, cheesecake, and sweet tea.
Mahdi was sentenced to die for the 2004 murder of Orangeburg Police Capt. James Myers. After shooting and killing Myers, Mahdi burned his body. The killing took place during a crime spree that spanned three states. Mahdi also killed Christopher Boggs in Winston-Salem, N.C., and committed burglary and grand larceny along the way.
Last month, South Carolina executed Brad Sigmon by firing squad. Both Sigmon and Mahdi opted for the method over the electric chair or lethal injection.
"Faced with barbaric and inhumane choices, Mikal Mahdi has chosen the lesser of three evils," assistant federal public defender David Weiss told the Associated press. "Mikal chose the firing squad instead of being burned and mutilated in the electric chair, or suffering a lingering death on the lethal injection gurney."
