Judge to Decide Later About Moving Murder Trial

     SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A judge said he will wait to decide if
a change of venue is necessary for the trial of two inmates accused
of killing a South Dakota State Penitentiary officer.
     Rodney Berget and Eric Robert are charged with first-degree
murder in the death of 63-year-old Ronald Johnson in April during a
failed escape attempt.
     Berget's lawyer, Jeff Larson, filed a motion to move the trial.
     But Circuit Court Judge Bradley Zell said he thought the motion
was premature and the court should wait until jury selection to
decide if the trial needs to be moved.
     State prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
     Zell also said he would rule soon on Larson's motion for
separate trials for the two men.
     Robert's motion hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday.