The April 29 ruling by a circuit judge says John Wood, 59, is schizophrenic and can not effectively communicate with his attorneys or understand the severity of the death penalty. The order temporarily halts his execution proceedings.
According to the order, testimony in front of mental health experts revealed Wood believes he is immortal and has already been executed by the state 3 times.
Wood killed State Trooper Eric Nicholson back in 2000. He shot Nicholson five times during a traffic stop. He was sentenced to death in 2002.
Wood is the first death row inmate found not competent to be executed since the state reinstated the death penalty back in 2024. Judge Grace Knie’s order will head to the South Carolina Supreme Court to be upheld or overturned.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) has 23 men listed on death row. No inmates have been executed so far in 2026. 5 men were put to death in 2025.
