Judge Issues Execution Warrant for Rodney Berget

A date has been set for the execution of one of two men who admitted to killing a guard at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says Circuit Judge Bradley Zell has issued a warrant of execution for Rodney Berget for the death of Senior Correctional Officer Ronald "RJ" Johnson in April of 2011.

Berget is scheduled to be put to death between 12:01am and 11:59pm during the week of January 12 through January 18 of 2014.

The date and time of the execution will be decided by the warden of the State Penitentiary and will be announced within 48 hours of the execution.

Berget and Eric Robert admitted to killing Johnson on his 63rd birthday in April of 2011.

Robert was put to death last fall.