SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A South Dakota inmate who has acknowledged killing a penitentiary guard during a failed escape attempt has told asked a judge that he deserves to be sentenced to death.
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 told Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell on Thursday that he took away a husband, father and grandfather and should be sentenced to death.
Zell is weighing whether Berget should be sentenced to death for
the crime.
Prosecutors say Berget and Robert bashed Johnson with a pipe, covered his mouth with plastic wrap and wore the dead man's uniform in the escape attempt.
Robert was sentenced to death in October.
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 told Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell on Thursday that he took away a husband, father and grandfather and should be sentenced to death.
Zell is weighing whether Berget should be sentenced to death for
the crime.
Prosecutors say Berget and Robert bashed Johnson with a pipe, covered his mouth with plastic wrap and wore the dead man's uniform in the escape attempt.
Robert was sentenced to death in October.
