Death row prisoner to be killed tonight using execution method used only five times in 50 years

A death row inmate will take his last breath tonight (11 April) when he is executed via an uncommon method.

Mikal Mahdi's execution will take place at a prison in Columbia, South Carolina, following a murder spree in July 2004.

The then-Virginia resident murdered shop worker Christopher Jason Boggs, 29, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on 15 July 2004.

Two days later, he carjacked a man and stole his car in Columbia, South Carolina, before he fled to a local farm and murdered off-duty police officer James Myers, 56. Mahdi covered Myers in diesel and set his body alight.

The now-42-year-old is also suspected of a third murder in Virginia during that period, but was never charged due to his other convictions.

After committing the murders, he went on the run for four days before he was arrested.

Mikal Mahdi's execution will take place at a prison in a Columbia, South Carolina, following a murder spree in July 2004 (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

Ahead of his execution this evening, Mahdi was given a choice between lethal injection, the electric chair or the firing squad.

The death row inmate opted for the firing squad, which is just the fifth time a prisoner in the US has been executed by that method.

Brad Sigmon, 67, was the last person who was put to death by firing squad on 7 March at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia.

How death by a firing squad works

When it comes to a firing squad execution, the condemned is first secured to a chair before a target is placed over their heart, with a hood over his head.

A team of three shooters will take their positions and fire simultaneously, with one rifle loaded with a blank round to prevent any member from knowing who fired the fatal shot.

Mahdi was given a choice between lethal injection, the electric chair or the firing squad (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

The South Carolina Department of Corrections said: "After the warden reads the execution order, the team will fire.

"After the inmate is declared dead, the curtain will be drawn and witnesses escorted out."

Mahdi previously requested clemency from Governor Henry McMaster but South Carolina's Republican chief executive denied it.

"Mr. Mahdi's life is a tragic story of a child abandoned at every step,' his lawyers said in a statement.

"Between the ages of 14 and 21, Mikal spent over 80 percent of his life in prison and lived through 8,000 hours in solitary confinement.

"Now 42, Mikal is deeply remorseful and a dramatically different person from the confused, angry, and abused youth who committed the capital crimes."

This comes after prosecutor David Pascoe told jurors during Mahdi's trial that 'he's the epitome of evil'.

"His heart and mind are full of hate and malice," the prosecutor added.

Mahdi is set to be executed at 10pm (UK time).