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Tuesday, 31 January 2012 06:26 |
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) _ Testimony is set to resume Tuesday in
the pre-sentencing hearing of a South Dakota inmate who has
acknowledged killing a prison guard in a failed escape attempt.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget has pleaded guilty to
attacking 63-year-old Ronald Johnson with fellow inmate Eric
Robert. Berget has said he wants a judge, not a jury, to decide
whether he should spend life in prison or be put to death for the
killing.
Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell will hear testimony from
prosecutors and defense lawyers before deciding Berget's fate.
Zell earlier sentenced Robert to death for his part in the crime
after he pleaded guilty.
A third inmate has been charged with providing the materials
used to kill Johnson.
Berget's pre-sentencing hearing is expected to last all week.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
