Challenges Faced by Mikal Mahdi: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Mikal Mahdi. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Mikal Deen Mahdi was an American spree killer executed for the murder of a police officer in South Carolina. In July 2004, Mahdi committed a series of crimes across multiple states. He robbed and murdered Christopher Jason Boggs in North Carolina and carjacked a man in South Carolina before killing off-duty police officer James Myers, burning his body. Mahdi's spree began after he fled Virginia, having murdered a man following a drug deal. Although he confessed to this crime, he wasn't tried for it due to his existing murder convictions for the deaths of Boggs and Myers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

1986: Mother Leaves Family

In 1986, Mikal Mahdi's mother left the family, contributing to his troubled childhood.

August 23, 1992: Involuntary Admission to Psychiatric Facility

On August 23, 1992, at age nine, Mikal Mahdi was involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility due to a suicide threat, being diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

October 19, 1992: Discharge from Walter P Carter Center

On October 19, 1992, Mikal Mahdi was discharged from the Walter P Carter Center after being involuntarily admitted on August 23, 1992.

December 1997: First Breaking and Entering

In December 1997, Mikal Mahdi committed his first breaking and entering in Virginia.

1998: Pledge to Kill a Police Officer

In 1998, Mikal Mahdi, then 15, pledged to kill a police officer when arrested after a standoff, which was seemingly fulfilled with James Myers's death.

2001: Conviction for Attacking Police Officer

In 2001, Mikal Mahdi was convicted of attacking a police officer in Virginia and sentenced to 93 months in prison.

July 14, 2004: Alleged Murder of Greg Jones

On or before July 14, 2004, 21-year-old Mikal Mahdi allegedly killed Greg Jones near his home in Virginia, as reported by media and police sources.

July 15, 2004: Murder of Christopher Jason Boggs

On July 15, 2004, Mikal Mahdi robbed and killed 29-year-old Christopher Jason Boggs, a convenience store clerk, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during a multi-state crime spree.

July 2004: Mahdi's Crime Spree

In July 2004, Mikal Mahdi went on a multi-state crime spree over three days, which included carjacking, firearm robbery and three murders. This spree included the murder of Christopher Jason Boggs and James Myers, and began after Mahdi fled Virginia after murdering a man in Brunswick County following a drug deal gone wrong.

July 17, 2004: End of Crime Spree

Between July 14 and July 17, 2004, Mikal Mahdi committed various crimes, including two murders in North and South Carolina. His murder spree remained one of the most notorious death penalty cases in South Carolina.

July 21, 2004: Mahdi's Arrest in Florida

On July 21, 2004, Mikal Mahdi was arrested in Florida after being on the run for about four days after murdering Myers. He was then extradited back to South Carolina to be charged with the fatal shooting of Myers.

August 23, 2004: Indictment by Calhoun County Grand Jury

On August 23, 2004, a Calhoun County grand jury indicted Mikal Mahdi on one count each of murder, second-degree burglary, and grand larceny.

September 3, 2004: Intent to Seek Death Penalty Announced

On September 3, 2004, Solicitor Robby Robbins announced his intent to seek the death penalty against Mikal Mahdi, who remained expressionless in court. Murder in South Carolina carries either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.

January 23, 2006: Postponement of Trial

On January 23, 2006, Mikal Mahdi's trial was originally scheduled to start, but it was postponed through his lawyers' application.

November 2006: Mahdi's Trial Begins

In November 2006, Mikal Mahdi's trial for the murder of James Myers eventually took place, with the first three days dedicated to jury selection. Mahdi was found to have a handcuff key in his pocket during a search, leading to increased security measures.

November 28, 2006: Guilty Plea

On November 28, 2006, the fourth day of his trial, Mikal Mahdi expressed his intent to plead guilty to all charges, which resulted in his conviction, leaving his sentencing to the judge's discretion.

December 8, 2006: Death Sentence Imposed

On December 8, 2006, Justice Clifton Newman sentenced 23-year-old Mikal Deen Mahdi to death for murdering James Myers, citing his lack of remorse, possession of a handcuff key, and threatening behavior.

2006: Trials in South and North Carolina

Between 2006 and 2011, Mikal Mahdi was tried in South and North Carolina for the murders of James Myers and Christopher Boggs.

2006: Mahdi's Death Sentence

In 2006, Mikal Mahdi was convicted of murder and other charges in South Carolina and sentenced to death for the murder of James Myers.

June 15, 2009: Dismissal of Direct Appeal

On June 15, 2009, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Mikal Mahdi's direct appeal against his death sentence, affirming that he was fairly sentenced.

December 2, 2009: Plot to Attack Correctional Officer

On December 2, 2009, Mikal Mahdi and serial killer Quincy Allen plotted to attack and kill a correctional officer while incarcerated at the Lieber Correctional Institution.

2009: Mahdi Attacks Prison Guard

In 2009, Mahdi and Quincy Allen attacked and stabbed prison guard Nathan Sasser.

December 2011: Life Sentence in North Carolina

In December 2011, five years after being condemned to death for Myers's murder, Mikal Mahdi pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Christopher Boggs in North Carolina and was sentenced to life without parole.

2011: No Prosecution in Virginia

Between 2006 and 2011, Mikal Mahdi was not prosecuted in Virginia for the murder of Greg Jones, as authorities prioritized the stronger evidence in the Carolina murders, likely to result in the death penalty.

2011: Life Sentence for Boggs Murder

In 2011, Mikal Mahdi was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Boggs after being extradited to North Carolina for trial.

2011: Unofficial Moratorium on Executions in South Carolina

In 2011, South Carolina had its last execution, leading to an unofficial moratorium due to the absence of lethal injection drugs. This was caused by the expiration of existing drug supplies and drug companies' refusal to sell drugs for executions.

February 20, 2017: U.S. Supreme Court Rejection of Appeal

On February 20, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Mikal Mahdi's appeal against his death sentence.

December 5, 2017: Dismissal of Appeal by District Judge

On December 5, 2017, U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain dismissed Mikal Mahdi's appeal against his death sentence.

September 25, 2018: Rejection of Second Appeal

On September 25, 2018, District Judge Cain once again rejected Mikal Mahdi's second appeal against his death sentence.

December 20, 2021: Rejection of Appeal by 4th Circuit Court

On December 20, 2021, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Mikal Mahdi's follow-up appeal for a review of his case.

January 9, 2023: Final Appeal Denied

On January 9, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Mikal Mahdi's final appeal, confirming his death sentence for the murder of James Myers.

2023: Lawsuit Against Execution Methods

In 2023, Mikal Mahdi and other death row inmates filed a lawsuit against South Carolina over the introduction of firing squad and electric chair as alternative execution methods, arguing they were unconstitutional and cruel. The state defended the methods as legal.

July 31, 2024: South Carolina Supreme Court Affirms Constitutionality of Electric Chair and Firing Squad

On July 31, 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit and affirmed the constitutionality of both the electric chair and firing squad. This decision raised the possibility of resuming executions for the 32 inmates on death row, including Mikal Mahdi.