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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:24 |
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) _ Defense lawyers for an inmate accused
of killing a South Dakota prison guard are expected to begin
calling witnesses during the third day of his pre-sentence hearing
Wednesday.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget has pleaded guilty to killing
Ronald Johnson on April 12 _ Johnson's 63rd birthday _ during a
failed prison escape with fellow inmate Eric Robert.
Berget has said he wants a judge, not a jury, to decide whether
he should live or die for the crime.
His defense lawyers are expected to call three witnesses
Wednesday and a fourth witness Thursday.
Zell earlier sentenced 49-year-old Robert to death for his part
in the killing.
A third inmate, 47-year-old Michael Nordman, has also been
charged in the slaying and is awaiting trial.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
