By C1 Staff
PIERRE, South Dakota — An inmate who killed a corrections officer during a botched prison escape has had his petition for a new hearing denied, meaning that a new execution date can be sought.
KOTA TV reports that Attorney General Marty Jackley says he will ask for Rodney Berget’s execution to be conducted the week of May 3-9, 2015.
Berget pleaded guilty to killing Senior Corrections Officer Ron Johnson in February 2012. He was already serving a life sentence for the murder and rape of a convenience store clerk.
Another inmate involved in the escape attempt, Eric Robert, has already been executed, and a third inmate, Michael Nordman, was sentenced to life in prison.
Robert was serving an 80-year sentence for kidnapping.