Eric Robert – White, age 49
Sentenced in Minnehaha County, South Dakota
By: a judge (defendant waived right to jury)
Date of crime: April 2011
Victim: Ronald Johnson, 63
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Robert beat prison guard Johnson with a pipe and suffocated him with plastic in order to steal his uniform and attempt to escape. The prosecution argued that five aggravating factors were present including: “the death of a correction officer, the manner of death, where and why it occurred, and the defendants’ criminal background.” Robert refused a defense or any appeal and requested the death penalty. Robert told the judge that his only regret was that he didn’t kill more guards, and if left alive, he would continue to attempt to escape and kill anyone in his way.
Sources: 10/27/11 AP Alert – SD 17:31:02, Argus Leader (SD) 10/28/11 (Pg. Unavail. Online) (2011 WLNR 22203567).
By: a judge (defendant waived right to jury)
Date of crime: April 2011
Victim: Ronald Johnson, 63
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Robert beat prison guard Johnson with a pipe and suffocated him with plastic in order to steal his uniform and attempt to escape. The prosecution argued that five aggravating factors were present including: “the death of a correction officer, the manner of death, where and why it occurred, and the defendants’ criminal background.” Robert refused a defense or any appeal and requested the death penalty. Robert told the judge that his only regret was that he didn’t kill more guards, and if left alive, he would continue to attempt to escape and kill anyone in his way.
Sources: 10/27/11 AP Alert – SD 17:31:02, Argus Leader (SD) 10/28/11 (Pg. Unavail. Online) (2011 WLNR 22203567).