South Dakota Executes Prison Guard Killer
South Dakota carried out the execution yesterday of a man convicted of killing a prison guard.
The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports Rodney Berget died Monday by lethal injection following a five-hour delay.
He was sentenced to die after being convicted of killing corrections officer R.J. Johnson during a botched prison break attempt in 2011.
"The execution of inmate Rodney Berget was carried out in accordance with state law," a Department of Corrections spokesman said last evening.
The Argus Leader says the South Dakota Supreme Court earlier denied a motion from attorney Juliet Yackel arguing that Mr. Berget lacked the intellectual capacity to receive capital punishment.
Following the execution, Attorney General Marty Jackley issued a statement: "This has been a very difficult and tragic case for R.J. Johnson's family and his extended family, the correctional officers," Mr. Jackley said. "I ask you tonight to please send prayers for all of Berget's victims."
[Source: Sioux Falls Argus Leader]