News

South Dakota Executes Rodney Berget

SDPB Radio | By Cara Hetland

Published October 29, 2018 at 11:07 PM CDT

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Lynette Johnson speaks with reporters after the execution of her husband's killer. She is comforted by Attorney General Marty Jackley

Jackie Hendry / SDPB

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Lynette Johnson tells reporters her husband's murder was cruel and unusual punishment. She calls Rodney Bergets execution "peaceful" and "sterile."

Jackie Hendry / SDPB

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Argus Leader reporter Danielle Fergurson was one of the media witnesses. She describes the last words spoken by Rodney Berget.

Jackie Hendry / SDPB

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State Penitentiary Jameson Annex in Sioux Falls

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Protester against death penalty holding sign

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Prayer vigil outside the state penitentiary

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Prayer vigil outside the state penitentiary

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Prayer vigil outside the state penitentiary

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Ronald "RJ" Johnson Training Academy

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Protester's sign

Adria Botella / SDPB

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SDPB's Jackie Hendry talks to Jeff Larson, Rodney Berget's trial attorney

Adria Botella / SDPB

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SDPB's Jackie Hendry interviews Denny Davis, Director of South Dakotans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Supporter of the Johnson family talks with SDPB's Jackie Hendry

Adria Botella / SDPB

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Supporters of the Johnson family

Adria Botella / SDPB

Execution Chamber where South Dakota inmate Rodney Berget was executed October 29, 2018.

South Dakota inmate Rodney Berget was executed Monday, October 29, 2018, for the murder of prison guard Ronald "RJ" Johnson in April of 2011. Berget, 56, admitted to his part in the murder and asked a judge in 2016 to withdraw his appeals of his death sentence.

The execution was originally scheduled to be carried out at 1:30 p.m. CDT, but was delayed for hours while the U.S. Supreme Court weighed a last-minute legal manuver by mitigation specialist, Juliet Yackel, who claimed Berget was "intellectually disabled". Berget was pronounced deat at 7:37 p.m. CDT.

SDPB's Jackie Hendry and Cara Hetland speak with Lori Walsh about the day and the delay.