The US military plans to execute Nidal Malik Hasan, the perpetrator of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, by firing squad on December 3. The method of execution has raised interest among some experts, who believe it could gain traction if the execution is carried out smoothly.
According to Fordham Law Professor Deborah Denno, a leading expert on capital punishment, the firing squad could become a more popular method of execution in the US if it proves to be effective and humane. Denno notes that the firing squad is considered to be more certain and quicker than other methods, such as lethal injection, and is also considered to be the least inhumane method of execution.
Denno points out that condemned prisoners who face the firing squad are believed to suffer less pain than those who receive lethal injections or other methods of capital punishment. She also notes that people with excellent aim are abundant and well-trained, making it easier to find executioners who are willing to carry out the sentence.
The use of the firing squad has been gaining traction in some states, including Idaho, Utah, and South Carolina, which have been exploring alternative methods of execution due to concerns about the availability and reliability of lethal injection drugs. The last US military execution was carried out in 1961, and experts believe that the firing squad could become a more viable option in the future.
The execution of Hasan will be livestreamed by the Pentagon, and experts are watching the event closely to see if it sets a precedent for the use of the firing squad in other executions.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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