Death Row Inmate Deemed Fit for Execution Despite Unusual Beliefs

A South Carolina judge has ruled that Steven Bixby, a death row inmate convicted of killing two law enforcement officers in 2003, is mentally competent to be executed. The decision, issued by Judge R. Scott Sprouse, clears the way for the 58-year-old to receive a death warrant. However, his legal team may appeal the ruling, which could delay the process, according to the Daily Gazette.

Bixby continues to claim he is innocent and believes that, under the Constitution, only treason warrants the death penalty. In a recent hearing, he argued that his conviction was unlawful and claimed the courts had overstepped their authority.

In 2003, Bixby was found guilty of fatally shooting Sgt. Danny Wilson and Constable Donnie Ouzts in Abbeville County. The killings occurred during a standoff involving a dispute with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, which planned to seize part of his family’s land for a highway project. His parents, who were also involved, have since died.

During the hearing, psychiatric experts testified that although Bixby holds intense religious beliefs, sees patterns in numbers, and claims to see angels, he does not meet the clinical threshold for delusions. They emphasized that he understands the reality of his legal situation and the consequences he faces.

Bixby has been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite these conditions, the court found that he remains mentally aware and capable of rational communication. While he can be combative and distrustful of his attorneys, the judge determined that this behavior stems from his personal convictions, not from an inability to grasp his circumstances.

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