South Carolina death row inmate chooses lethal injection after firing squad controversy
Share this @internewscast.com

A man on death row in South Carolina, previously contemplating execution by firing squad, chose lethal injection instead on Friday after witnessing another prisoner struggle to die when bullets seemingly missed the heart.

Stephen Stanko was advised by his legal team that lethal injection might simulate the sensation of drowning, as pentobarbital floods the veins, causing fluid to surge into the lungs.

State-appointed medical experts claim the drugs induce unconsciousness before any pain is experienced, while inmate-hired specialists argue the fluid rush might mimic drowning sensations.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a delay to his June 13 execution Wednesday that was requested so he could learn more about his options. 

Mikal Mahdi

Mikal Mahdi was executed in April.  (South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP)

Stanko had been sentenced to death twice for two separate murders. 

In April 2006, Stanko, 57, beat and strangled girlfriend Laura Ling to death and raped her teenage daughter and slit her throat. The daughter survived and testified against him at his trial. 

Hours after the murder, he went to his 74-year-old friend Henry Turner’s home, shot him to death and stole his truck. 

Stephen Stanko in court

Defense attorney Gerald Kelly confers with defendant Stephen Stanko during a pretrial hearing at the Georgetown County Courthouse in Georgetown, S.C., July 31, 2006.    (AP Photo/Tom Murray, Pool, File)

South Carolina resumed executions in September after a 13-year break after it ran out of lethal injection drugs and pharmacies refused to provide more unless a new secrecy law protected their privacy. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Harrowing photos show what's left of volunteer fire chief's vehicle after he was swept away in Texas floods

Shocking images reveal the volunteer fire chief’s car after being carried away by floods in Texas

A desperate search was under way for a volunteer fire chief who…
Chicago-area family mourns David Meneou of Joliet, Jameson Meneou of Lockport, who drowned in Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes

Chicago-area family grieves the loss of David Meneou from Joliet and Jameson Meneou from Lockport, who tragically drowned in Lake Michigan near Indiana Dunes

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) — A family from the suburbs is grieving…
Israel launches airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and Houthis launch missile at Israel

Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi Rebels; Houthis Respond with Missile Attack on Israel

Israel’s military conducted airstrikes early Monday against ports and facilities controlled by…
Federal agents conduct immigration raid in Los Angeles despite fierce opposition from Democrat mayor

Federal Agents Carry Out Immigration Raid in Los Angeles Amid Strong Opposition from Democratic Mayor

<!–> Tom Homan Denounces Criticism of ICE: ‘The Rhetoric Must End’ Fox…
Pentagon Reveals Timetable It Has Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program

The Department of Defense Responds to LA Mayor’s Frustration Over ICE Operation

The Department of Defense (DOD) has taken to social media platform X…
New Jersey Coast Guard swimmer rescues nearly 200 people in deadly Texas flash floods

Heroic Coast Guard Swimmer from New Jersey Saves Close to 200 Lives in Texas Flash Flood Disaster

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer from New Jersey is being hailed as…
Jacksonville Sheriff hosts 6-week town hall series for crime feedback

Jacksonville Sheriff Launches 6-Week Town Hall Series to Gather Community Input on Crime

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is kicking off six weeks of town halls…
Trump Moderate: Unraveling the Extremist Narrative

Trump the Centrist: Debunking the Radical Mythology

A recent New York Times opinion by Jamelle Bouie, dated July 2,…
Security camera footage of a nighttime shooting.

Disturbing Incident: Three Dead, Ten Injured in Random Shooting Caught on Ring Camera

THIS is the terrifying moment gunmen opened fire in a Philadelphia neighbourhood…
Risk of further floods in Texas during desperate search for missing as death toll tops 80

Flood Threat Continues in Texas Amid Urgent Search for Missing; Death Toll Exceeds 80

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Central Texas faced a significant threat of life-threatening…
Bay Street near Jacksonville's Maxwell House Coffee plant down to 1 lane

Traffic Reduced to Single Lane on Bay Street Near Maxwell House Coffee Plant in Jacksonville

A JEA spokesperson crews will be working Bay Street near the Maxwell…
Whitney Purvis arrested: '16 and Pregnant' star charged with involuntary manslaughter

’16 and Pregnant’ Star Whitney Purvis Arrested for Involuntary Manslaughter

The former reality TV star’s arrest is linked to a man’s fatal…