Inmate who killed South Dakota penitentiary guard in failed escape attempt sentenced to death

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A South Dakota inmate was sentenced to death Thursday for killing a prison guard by bashing him with a pipe, covering his mouth with plastic wrap and then wearing the dead man’s uniform during an attempt to escape.

Eric Robert, 49, had pleaded guilty in September to killing Ronald “R.J.” Johnson on April 12 — Johnson’s birthday — as he tried to sneak past other security. Robert waived his right to a jury trial and had asked the judge to sentence him to death, saying his one regret was that he did not kill another officer and that he will kill again.  More  PrisonerPal.com   True Crime Today  Magazine Subscriptions for Prisoners since 1975