Stephen Bryant, a South Carolina man convicted of three murders, was killed by firing squad on Friday, November 14, at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina, according to the Associated Press. Bryant, 44, was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m. local time after choosing the firing squad over lethal injection or electrocution, which are both permitted ways in the state.
According to AP, for his final dinner, he requested mixed seafood stir fry, fried fish over rice, egg rolls, stuffed shrimp, two candy bars, and German chocolate cake.
The execution was carried out by three prison officers and observed by ten people, including members of the victims’ families. Bryant declined to provide a final statement.
Bryant was convicted of several murders committed during a week-long burglary and shooting spree in rural Sumter County in the fall of 2004. The South Carolina Daily Gazette said that he was 23 years old at the time.
On October 9, 2004, his first victim was Clifton Gainey, a 36-year-old coworker. Two days later, he murdered 62-year-old Willard Tietjen at his house. According to The Post and Courier, Bryant left notes scribbled in blood on the walls, including one that read: “Victim number four in two weeks, catch me if you can.” He also answered Tietjen’s phone and mocked the man’s relatives, claiming he was dead.
Bryant murdered 35-year-old Chris Burgess two days later after encountering him at a convenience shop, according to the Daily Gazette.
Bryant pleaded guilty in 2008. According to court records reported by The Post and Courier, his defense claimed he sought mental health therapy before to the murders, alleging he was traumatized by childhood sexual assault.
According to the Daily Gazette, he is the third person executed by firing squad in South Carolina this year, and the seventh in all.
Bryant’s attorney, Bo King, stated that his client’s final desire was that no one be denied mental health care due to financial limits, demonstrating Bryant’s concern for others.
“That is consistent with the man we knew, who showed grace and courage in forgiving his family and great love for those in and outside of his prison,” according to King. “We’ll remember his unusual connections, strong protection, and passion for nature, water, and the world. “We’ll miss him.”
I can tell you from what I know. This man was ready to die. Broad River is no joke. People who go there with henious crimes are subject to daily treatment worse then hell. If they prey on a child or the elderly they are placed with real big predators. Death row ain’t just death row. Sometimes you get convicted on matters that had to be done. Take one save 1000. Even the guards respect you because it could if been their child their MoMA their wife that did not get victimized because some one stopped it. That man was brutilized starved ignored traumatized ridiculed. I am sure he found God. Begging her to stop his breathing so the anguish would stop. You see God has a punishment worse then hell. She will cause the individual great debilitating pain. So sevier that they can not sleep. When sleep deprivation sets in they start hallucinating. Acute phycosis. Their life becomes on very vivid painful nightmare. The administration staff makes it a point to keep you in this state. You can tell by his last meal request that he was starving. These idiot eat the last meal to make a specticle of themself in death. Dead or alive if some one shits in their self they lose dignity. Oh he chose the firing squad. But with his stomach full he shut his self. Babies shit their self. And lastly it was not painless for him. There was a time that I heard a man executed by firing squad. The first shot went into his foot. Then the other foot the hand then the other one the arms the legs. This man was begging kill me kill me why will you not kill me. The executioner spoke up and said when that little girl begged you for her life you went against her wishes. So we just returning the favor. Five minutes is a very long time when you body is absorbing lead. The lethal shot was fired after he was dead
Thank you for your helpful feedback!