Death Row Inmate Says Judges Are Ruled by Satan
South Carolina death row inmate Steven Bixby has once again drawn attention with bizarre courtroom claims, accusing judges of being “guided by Satan” as he fights to avoid execution.
Bixby, 58, was convicted in the 2003 murders of two police officers who came to his Abbeville home during a dispute over road construction. His parents were also charged with murder but later died in custody. Bixby has spent nearly two decades on death row for the killings.
Earlier this year, the South Carolina Supreme Court halted his scheduled execution and ordered a lower court to determine whether his unusual beliefs render his attorneys unable to properly represent him.
Legal Arguments Over His Beliefs
At a hearing in late August, Bixby’s defense team argued that he holds deeply entrenched views that make it impossible for them to communicate effectively with him. His beliefs include that:
- Most U.S. laws are unconstitutional.
- Citizens have an absolute right to defend property “to the death.”
- Judges who rule against him are guided by Satan.
Defense attorneys said these views prevent Bixby from assisting them with evidence or strategy, thus undermining their ability to defend him.
Prosecutors disagreed, arguing that Bixby’s anti-government positions are not delusions unique to him but beliefs shared by some fringe groups. They insisted he understands the charges, the trial, and why the state seeks his execution, making him competent under the law.
Bixby’s Outburst and Handwritten Motion
Judge R. Scott Sprouse presided over the hearing, giving Bixby ten minutes to speak. The inmate used the opportunity to vent frustrations, but later decided it was not enough.
Just over a week later, Bixby submitted a handwritten motion filled with underlined phrases like “miscarriage of justice,” “law demands,” and “reversal of conviction.”
“Judge Sprouse gave me 10 minutes to address the court. Thanks!” he wrote sarcastically. He claimed the state constitution guarantees a defendant the right to be fully heard, whether through counsel or self-representation.
Bixby also attacked the psychiatric experts who testified about his competency, referring to them as “unconstitutional shrinks” who offered “psychobabble” not grounded in facts.
A Long-Running Case
The Abbeville killings remain one of South Carolina’s most notorious cases of violence against law enforcement. In December 2003, officers attempted to speak with Bixby’s family about a road-widening project. Instead, Bixby opened fire, killing two officers.
Since then, his appeals have focused less on contesting guilt and more on constitutional arguments and procedural challenges. His latest claims suggest he believes the entire U.S. legal system is invalid.
What Comes Next
Judge Sprouse is expected to issue a ruling on Bixby’s competency in the coming weeks. If the court finds him competent, his execution could be rescheduled. If not, further hearings could delay his case indefinitely.
For now, Bixby remains on death row, continuing to file handwritten legal motions that reflect a worldview far outside the legal mainstream but still central to the question of whether he can face execution.
