Jeffrey Collins

1 week ago | argus-press.com | Jeffrey Collins

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina is legally required to keep some protocols secret as it prepares to put a man to death by firing squad for the murder of a public safety officer, but the only previous execution by bullets the state carried out last month reveals a few key details. There won't be any kind of countdown heard or seen by witnesses before three volunteers all with live ammunition fire on Mikal Mahdi on Friday in the death chamber at a Columbia prison.

1 week ago | qcnews.com | Jeffrey Collins

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — After eight years of trying to persuade his fellow lawmakers in the South Carolina House to require hands-free cellphone use while driving, a little pain might have helped Rep. Bill Taylor get his bill passed Wednesday. Taylor told the House that the federal government was talking about withholding up to $50 million in highway money to the state if it did not join more than 30 others and ban people from holding cellphones as they drive. The bill won approval.

1 week ago | arkansasonline.com | Jeffrey Collins

On the move? Let us read it for you. LISTEN NOW Your browser does not support the audio element. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A firing squad Friday executed a South Carolina man who killed an off-duty police officer, the second time the rare execution method has been used by the state in the past five weeks. Mikal Mahdi gave no final statement and did not look to his right toward the nine witnesses in the room behind bulletproof glass and bars once the curtain opened.

1 week ago | goskagit.com | Jeffrey Collins

By JEFFREY COLLINS - Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A firing squad on Friday executed a South Carolina man who killed an off-duty police officer, the second time the rare execution method has been used by the state in the past five weeks. Mikal Mahdi gave no final statement and did not look to his right toward the nine witnesses in the room behind bulletproof glass and bars once the curtain opened. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

1 week ago | 12news.com | Jeffrey Collins

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A firing squad on Friday executed a South Carolina man who killed an off-duty police officer, the second time the rare execution method has been used by the state in the past five weeks. Mikal Mahdi cried out as the shots hit him, and his arms flexed. He groaned two more times about 45 seconds after that. His breaths continued for about 80 seconds before he appear led to take one final gasp.