On a day that drew significant public attention, a man connected to a long-standing case involving three deaths became only the third individual this year to undergo a rarely used state procedure that had not been carried out in more than a decade. After over 20 years in custody, 44-year-old Stephen Bryant chose this method himself, closing a chapter in a case that first drew official focus in 2004. The decision drew interest not only because of the procedure’s limited history, but also because Bryant declined to offer any final remarks on 14 November, when it was conducted in South Carolina.
Reports noted that Bryant’s last meal included seafood stir fry and chocolate cake — a detail that added a personal dimension to a case often defined by its seriousness. His original conviction stemmed from multiple incidents that occurred while he was on probation in 2004, including entering a victim’s home and leaving behind a handwritten message. Records also reference another individual who survived an encounter with him. Officials confirmed the process concluded at 6:05 p.m. local time.
Legal documents and comments from attorney Bo King describe Bryant’s earlier life as one marked by hardship and developmental challenges associated with a genetic condition and difficulties within his family. Experts say these circumstances influenced emotional struggles throughout his upbringing. Prior to this year, the last time the same procedure had been used in the United States was in 2010, making its return in 2025 both rare and widely discussed.
Bryant’s case represents the third instance in South Carolina — and nationwide — in 2025. The first occurred in March with Brad Sigmon, who also chose this method, with witnesses noting the process appeared faster than traditional approaches. A second case followed in April involving Mikal Mahdi, whose attorneys later questioned medical documentation related to the procedure. The South Carolina Department of Corrections dismissed any claims of irregularities, stating that the procedure was conducted in accordance with official standards.