Berget Given Death Penalty

    SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota inmate who pleaded
guilty to killing a prison guard during an escape attempt has been
sentenced to death.
     Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell sentenced 49-year-old Rodney
Berget on Monday. Berget had pleaded guilty to killing 63-year-old
Ronald Johnson on April 12 - Johnson's 63rd birthday - with fellow
inmate Eric Robert.
     Prosecutors say Berget and Robert bashed Johnson with a pipe,
covered his mouth with plastic wrap and used the dead man's uniform
in the escape attempt.
     Prosecutors had sought the death penalty based on five
aggravating factors. Zell had to find at least one was present to
sentence Berget to death.
     Robert was sentenced to death in October.
     A third inmate, Michael Nordman, has also been charged in the
case and is awaiting trial.