Henry McMaster has recently been in the news due to South Carolina's preparations for a controversial execution by firing squad, a method not used in the U.S. for nearly 15 years. This decision has reignited debates over capital punishment in the state, particularly as officials grapple with challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs. McMaster's administration has been at the forefront of these discussions, reflecting broader national conversations about the methods and ethics of executing inmates.
Born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, Henry McMaster is a seasoned politician and attorney affiliated with the Republican Party. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and began his political career in the 1980s. McMaster served as the state's Attorney General from 2003 to 2011 and was the lieutenant governor before ascending to the governorship in January 2017. His tenure has focused on economic development, education reform, and public safety, including the contentious issues surrounding capital punishment.
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Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires in South Carolina and North Carolina, including the Carolina Forest fire near Myrtle Beach, which has burned over 2,000 acres and is only 30% contained. A state of emergency has been declared in South Carolina, with evacuation orders issued in affected areas. Dry conditions and strong winds are exacerbating the situation.
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Brad Sigmon is set to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina on March 7, 2025. Convicted of a double murder in 2001, he will be the first inmate executed by this method in the U.S. since 2010. The state has resumed executions after a 13-year hiatus, with lethal injection and electrocution also available methods.
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A wildfire in Carolina Forest, South Carolina, has burned over 2,000 acres, prompting a state of emergency declaration. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has led to evacuations but no reported injuries or structural damage. The fire is believed to be human-caused, with one individual charged for negligence.
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Brad Sigmon, 67, is set to become the first inmate executed by firing squad in South Carolina on March 7, 2025. Convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents in 2001, Sigmon chose this method over lethal injection due to concerns about its reliability. His execution follows a 13-year hiatus in the state's death penalty.
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Brad Sigmon, 67, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina on March 7, 2025, after being convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents in 2001. He chose this method over lethal injection and the electric chair, citing fears of a painful death. His clemency plea was denied.
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On March 7, 2025, Brad Sigmon was executed by firing squad in South Carolina, marking the state's first execution by this method in 15 years. Sigmon, convicted of a double murder in 2001, chose this method over lethal injection due to concerns about prolonged suffering. His execution has sparked renewed debate over capital punishment in the U.S.