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Judge Puts Scheduled Execution Of Inmate Berget On Hold

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A circuit court judge has put the execution of death row inmate Rodney Berget on hold.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says Circuit Court Judge Douglas Hoffman issued a stay of the execution after Berget filed a habeas petition.

Berget was sentenced to die the week of May 3 for his role in killing State Penitentiary guard Ronald Johnson during an April 2011 escape attempt.

Another inmate charged in Johnson’s death, Eric Robert, was executed in 2012. A third inmate, Michael Nordman, was sentenced to life in prison for providing materials used in the slaying of Johnson, which happened on his 63rd birthday.

Jackley says it remains the state’s position that due process has been satisfied. He says the interest of justice requires proceedings to move forward in a timely fashion