The United States Supreme Court has denied a last-minute appeal by death row inmate Brad Sigmon, paving the way for the nation's first firing squad execution in 15 years.

Sigmon was convicted in 2002 for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend's parents and chose the firing squad as his preferred execution method, as The Hill reports, with the high court declining to halt the scheduled proceedings.

The justices rejected Sigmon's emergency motion on Friday night, clearing a legal hurdle that allowed South Carolina to proceed with his execution as scheduled.

At 67 years old, Sigmon was set to face the firing squad, a choice he made over the options of electrocution or lethal injection following the recent legalization of the method by Gov. Henry McMaster.

Supreme Court's Decision

The decision by the Supreme Court to deny Sigmon’s appeal was made without any noted dissents, signaling strong judicial consensus.

This dismissal meant that Sigmon’s execution was able to forward as planned at 6 p.m. on Friday. According to the application submitted by his legal team, “if his execution is not stayed, he will be put to death” without the highest court having reviewed his claims, which has raised a significant procedural debate.

Sigmon had been trying to contest the legality of the firing squad method, arguing that the state's process for allowing such a method violated due process. He claimed South Carolina’s handling of his method of death election and information dissemination was unlawfully conducted. However, his argument was not compelling enough to sway the Supreme Court.

Details of Crime, Conviction

In 2002, Brad Sigmon was convicted of murdering David and Gladys Larke, the parents of his ex-girlfriend. Sigmon confessed that he attacked them with a bat and made an unsuccessful attempt to kill his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbare, who managed to escape that fateful incident.

Sigmon’s conviction and subsequent death sentence have been upheld across multiple court levels, including South Carolina’s highest court, despite his continuous legal battles.

South Carolina has prepared to use a firing squad following the recent state law that legalizes this method of execution. Gov. Henry McMaster facilitated this legislative change, steering the state towards providing alternatives to those on death row as options for carrying out their capital punishment.

Legal Battles and Supreme Court's Stance

Sigmon relentlessly pursued legal avenues over the past two decades to challenge both his conviction and the death penalty sentence. The state's arguments reflect a sentiment that Sigmon has faced ample opportunities to make his legal claims known, emphasizing that further delays would perpetuate endless legal proceedings. “If courts give him more delays, he will always have more claims," the state asserted in its filings.

In the past four years, Sigmon particularly focused on how his execution should proceed, but the series of rejections from various courts highlight the urgency with which the state intends to resolve longstanding cases like his.

The Supreme Court itself has historically shown restraint in intervening in death row appeals, having denied 10 such applications since the beginning of its current term in October.

However, the court recently made headlines by agreeing to a retrial for Richard Glossip, another death row inmate, due to significant evidence being withheld during his initial prosecution.

Implications of High Court's Decision

The Supreme Court’s decision sets a precedent for future cases involving the firing squad as a means of execution. While this method remains controversial, it underscores the lengths to which states like South Carolina will go to carry out capital punishment when traditional methods, such as lethal injection, face delays.

As South Carolina prepared for Sigmon’s execution, it stood ready to enforce its laws, which now encompass the firing squad, amid evolving national dialogues on the ethical implications of such methods.

The execution thus highlighted ongoing debates over capital punishment in America, with particular focus on the processes and rights afforded to those condemned.

The gravity of Sigmon’s crimes, coupled with the legal complexities surrounding his choice of execution, reinforce a broader conversation around the intersection of law, justice, and human rights within the American judicial system.