On a day that stirred both public attention and quiet controversy, a man at the center of a long-standing

three-fatality case became only the third individual this year to undergo a rarely used state procedure that

had been inactive for more than a decade. After more than 20 years in custody, 44-year-old Stephen Bryant

chose this method himself, turning a chapter in a case that first gripped authorities back in 2004.

The decision drew interest not only because of the procedure’s limited history, but also because Bryant

declined to deliver any final remarks on 14 November, when it was carried out in South Carolina.

Reports noted that Bryant’s last meal consisted of seafood stir fry and chocolate cake — a detail that added

a human layer to a case defined by its severity. His original conviction stemmed from multiple deadly 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 linked to a genetic condition and difficulties within his family. Experts say these

circumstances shaped 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 revival in 2025 both rare and widely discussed.

Bryant’s case marks the third instance in South Carolina — and nationwide — in 2025. The first occurred in

March with Brad Sigmon, who also chose this method instead of other options, 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 tied to the procedure. The South Carolina Department

of Corrections dismissed any claims of irregularities, emphasizing that the procedure was carried out according to official standards.