Stephen Corey Bryant listens as his defense attorney presents his closing argument during Bryant's sentencing hearing (AP)
Columbia, South Carolina — October 19, 2025
A South Carolina inmate who brutally murdered a man and left a chilling taunt written in the victim’s blood will face execution this November, the state’s Supreme Court confirmed on Friday. Stephen Bryant, 44, became infamous after allegedly painting “catch me if u can” on a wall using his victim’s blood, a message that horrified local residents and law enforcement alike.
Bryant’s lawyers had requested a postponement due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, citing challenges coordinating with the federal court system. Their request was denied, setting the stage for Bryant to become the 50th person executed in South Carolina since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1985.
Since the resumption of executions following a 13-year hiatus caused by difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs, Bryant will be the seventh inmate executed in just 14 months. He has until October 31 to choose his method of execution: lethal injection, firing squad, or the electric chair.
A Sequence of Terrifying Crimes
Bryant admitted to killing Willard “TJ” Tietjen, whose isolated home in rural Sumter County made him an easy target. According to court testimony, Bryant approached Tietjen’s residence under the pretense of experiencing car trouble. He then allegedly shot Tietjen multiple times, lit candles around the body, and used a potholder made by the victim’s daughter to scrawl the menacing message on the wall:
“Victim 4 in 2 weeks. Catch me if u can.”
The victim’s daughter, Kimberly Dees, recalled calling her father several times before receiving a disturbing call from Bryant himself. “And he said, ‘you can’t, I killed him.’ And I said, ‘this isn’t funny, who are you?’ He said, ‘I’m the prowler,’” Dees testified during court proceedings.
Prosecutors revealed that Bryant had allegedly murdered two additional men in similar circumstances — giving them rides before shooting them along desolate rural roads. His spree terrorized Sumter County, with residents living in fear of encountering the unpredictable killer. Local authorities reported extensive checks along dirt roads and warnings to citizens about accepting help from strangers.
A Troubled Past and Substance Use
During trial, Bryant’s defense team highlighted a troubled childhood marked by alleged sexual abuse by four male relatives. They argued that Bryant’s psychological state contributed to his actions, citing frantic attempts to seek help from probation officers and family members.
“He was very upset. It’s like his soul was just laid wide open. In his eyes you could see he was hurting and suffering,” testified Bryant’s aunt, Terry Caulder.
To cope with emotional trauma, Bryant reportedly turned to methamphetamine and smoked joints laced with bug killer. Defense attorneys presented this evidence to contextualize Bryant’s mental state at the time of the killings.
Execution Methods and Controversy
South Carolina has executed six inmates since September 2024, sparking debate over whether current methods constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.” Those executed since the resumption of lethal injections reportedly received pentobarbital, a sedative intended to render prisoners unconscious quickly. Critics claim that improper dosing or procedural errors could cause extreme suffering, although witnesses to recent executions reported that inmates appeared unconscious within a minute.
The state’s firing squad has also come under scrutiny. Attorneys for previous inmates argued that rifle marks sometimes missed the heart, potentially prolonging agony. Despite these concerns, the courts have consistently ruled that the executions do not violate constitutional protections.
Bryant’s upcoming execution continues a trend of increased death sentences in the U.S., with a total of 38 men executed nationwide in 2025 and at least five more scheduled before the end of the year. Arizona, for instance, plans a lethal injection execution later this week.
Impact on the Community and Legal Landscape
Sumter County, home to approximately 100,000 residents, remains scarred by Bryant’s actions. The random, violent nature of his attacks created widespread fear, particularly because he targeted isolated areas where victims had limited means of escape.
Legal observers note that Bryant’s case underscores ongoing debates about the death penalty, mental health, and the treatment of convicted violent offenders. While the state emphasizes accountability and justice for heinous crimes, defense attorneys and human rights groups continue to challenge the ethical and legal frameworks governing execution methods.
Bryant’s case also highlights how trauma, substance abuse, and alleged past abuse can intersect in violent criminal behavior — raising broader questions about prevention, rehabilitation, and mental health services in vulnerable communities.
A State Poised for a Difficult Decision
As Bryant prepares for his scheduled execution, South Carolina faces the dual challenge of ensuring justice while navigating scrutiny from legal, ethical, and human rights perspectives. For the residents of Sumter County and the families of Bryant’s victims, the case remains a chilling reminder of violence, accountability, and the complex moral questions surrounding capital punishment in America.
Bryant’s execution will mark another chapter in South Carolina’s post-1985 history of capital punishment, reflecting both the resumption of the death penalty and the ongoing national debate over its application.
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Source references: The Independent, AP News, South Carolina Supreme Court
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