(Originally published by the Charleston City Paper)
State solicitors and the director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) asked legislators earlier this month to bring back the electric chair as the default method of execution in South Carolina. Their argument was about process.
First, they presented their problem. The state has condemned humans to die, but it cannot get its hands on the drugs needed to kill. They even mentioned the reason that they can’t get the drugs is because drug manufacturers don’t want their drugs used as lethal cocktails to be injected into people.
Second, they presented their solution. The legislature can bring back the electric chair as the default method of execution. This, they argue, will get the machinery of death rolling again.
A few solicitors even threw in the old “the death penalty is a deterrent” argument.
To support this, you have to assume that South Carolina’s death penalty system is fair and accurate. News flash: It’s not.
...
(To read the full op ed, please go to the Charleston City Paper)
