SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Two inmates who have pleaded not guilty
to killing a South Dakota prison guard are scheduled to appear in a
Minnehaha County courtroom to discuss the next steps in their
trials.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget and 47-year-old Michael
Nordman are scheduled to appear before Judge Bradley Zell Thursday
afternoon. The men are charged in the April 12 slaying of
63-year-old Ronald Johnson.
Prosecutors say Berget and 49-year-old Eric Robert used a pipe
and plastic wrap to kill Johnson in a failed escape attempt.
Authorities say Nordman supplied the materials.
Berget faces the death penalty and is scheduled to go to trial
Jan. 30. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death
penalty for Nordman.
Robert pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death. His execution
is set for May.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-11-17-11 0526EST
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