An American triple murderer, Stephen Bryant, who went on a killing spree in South Carolina in 2004, has been executed by a firing squad after spending 20 years on death row. Bryant, 44, chose the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. During the execution, he made no final statement and was shot 55 seconds after the hood was placed over his head.
Reports indicate that Bryant showed no reaction when shot, with the bullseye target marking his heart flying off his chest. He took a few shallow breaths and had a final spasm before being pronounced dead by a doctor. Witnesses noted a pool of wetness where Bryant was shot, and family members of the victims held hands during the execution.
Bryant’s final meal request included a spicy mixed seafood stir-fry, fried fish over rice, egg rolls, stuffed shrimp, two candy bars, and German chocolate cake. Bo King, a South Carolinian lawyer handling death penalty cases, mentioned that Bryant had a genetic disorder and had suffered abuse, leading to permanent damage to his body and brain.
Bryant confessed to the murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen and two other men in 2004. He went to Tietjen’s home under false pretenses and shot him multiple times. Bryant also made a chilling phone call to Tietjen’s wife and daughter, confessing to the crime. The other two victims were shot by Bryant after being taken for a ride and then asked to step out of the car to urinate.
With Bryant being the 43rd person executed in the United States this year, there are still 14 more scheduled executions before the year ends.