South Carolina man Brad Sigmon faces firing squad execution today, first such execution in 15 years
CBSN
A South Carolina man is facing execution by firing squad Friday — the first execution of its kind in the U.S. since 2010 and just the fourth firing squad execution since the death penalty resumed in the country 49 years ago.
When the clock strikes 6 on Friday evening, 67-year-old Brad Sigmon is scheduled to walk into the death chamber, be strapped into a chair and have a target placed over his heart, unless the governor or the U.S. Supreme Court grants him a last-minute reprieve. He could say last words before a hood is placed over his head and three volunteers armed with rifles fire bullets designed to shatter on impact.
Sigmon, who admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend's parents with a baseball bat and kidnapped her after she refused to come back to him, said he chose to die by bullets because he considered the other choices offered by the state to be worse.

As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News. Camilla Schick and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast of the United States this weekend, on the heels of a powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice. The effects of that original storm have lingered for many areas in its path, and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and drive temperatures below freezing. Nikki Nolan contributed to this report. In:











