Crime

Murderous Inmate Asks for the Death Penalty & Says He’d Kill Again

Eric Robert Murdered Prison Guard, Now He Wants Death PenaltySIOUX FALLS, S.D. (The Blaze/AP) — A South Dakota inmate who acknowledged killing a state penitentiary guard in a failed escape attempt asked a judge on Wednesday to sentence him to death, saying his one regret is that he did not kill another officer and that he will kill again.

Eric Robert, 49, pleaded guilty in September to killing Ronald “R.J.” Johnson on April 12 — Johnson’s birthday — in an attempt to sneak past other security. Robert waived his right to a jury trial and said he wanted to be put to death, but Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell said the state still had to prove the death penalty is warranted. Robert had been serving an 80-year-sentence on a kidnapping conviction when he attempted to escape with Rodney Berget, 49.

Robert told Zell during his pre-sentencing hearing that he was so full of anger and hungry for freedom on April 12 that he would have killed anyone who stood in his way.

“Brad Zell, if you stood between me and the door of freedom, I would kill you,” Robert said.

Robert said the one regret he has from April 12 is that he did not bring the pipe with him to the gate to kill the officer who stopped him. Once he realized his plan was going to fail, Robert said he began climbing up the wall of the prison — not to escape but to try to reach for the rifle of an officer on the lookout.

“I would have shot that weapon until it was empty,” he said. Watch him discuss these issues, below:

Zell told Robert that wanting to die is not reason enough for the death penalty.

“There are many people who want to die,” Zell said, adding that that doesn’t count as an aggravating factor.

The judge must find at least one aggravating factor was present during the killing to sentence Robert to death. The state presented five factors during the three-day pre-sentencing hearing: the death of a correctional officer, the manner of death, where and why it occurred, and the defendants’ criminal background.

Robert said he was guilty of all five factors and offered a sixth one to the judge — stealing Johnson’s uniform, which included his wallet with money inside.

Robert chose not to present mitigating evidence during the hearing — including time as a little league coach and EMT — that could have swayed the judge to sentence him to life in prison. His good deeds are irrelevant now, he said.

“That person that did good no longer exists,” Robert said.

Robert, sitting next to one of his lawyers and wearing an orange jumpsuit with his feet and hands shackled, ended his statement by saying that his death will not bring Johnson back, but it will start the healing process for his family. Robert then wiped away a tear.

But one of Robert’s defense lawyers, Mark Kadi, said his client did take issue with being characterized as a sexual predator stemming from a kidnapping conviction in 2005. Robert contends he kidnapped the 18-year-old girl to rob her, not sexually assault her.

Lynette Johnson, Ronald Johnson’s widow, broke down in tears and had to be escorted off the witness stand as she testified about how her life has been ruined because of Robert’s actions on April 12. In their 34 years together, they spent a total of six nights apart, she said.

“We weren’t done,” she said. “We weren’t done living. He wasn’t done living with me.”

Lynette Johnson called Robert “evil” and a “coward” and has a hard time responding when one of her six grandchildren ask about their papa.

“He decided to take him away from me,” she said as she looked directly at Robert. “You are a coward.”

Berget, who has pleaded not guilty to the slaying, also faces the death penalty. His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 30. A third inmate, Michael J. Nordman, 47, was charged with supplying some of the items used in the killing. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty for Nordman.

Comments (56)

1 2
  • VANDAL 99
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:48am

    Make his day and save the state some money!

    Report Post » VANDAL 99  
    • lukerw
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:49pm

      Send him to Iran… it will work out either way!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • mjthorin
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:50pm

      Grant this beast his wish and put him down. I live in Sioux Falls and I remember the day this news came out, I was appalled. This coward took the life of a great man, on his own birthday to boot!! GIVE HIM DEATH

      Report Post »  
  • snowflake220
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:15am

    Live news coverage of the sentence for Robert’s in Sioux Falls, SD

    Website to watch verdict 11 am Central time today Thursday October 27th.

    http://www.argusleader.com/article/99999999/MULTIMEDIA/90804038&Ref=AR&template=livestream

    Report Post »  
  • SDmom
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:13am

    His sentence will be announced today at 11:00am (Central).

    Report Post »  
    • snowflake220
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:51am

      Thanks sdmom. I will let Lynette know there are others who are wanting to express their sorrow over her husband’s death. I’ve given her this website so she can see all the other comments showing others want Roberts dead too.

      Report Post »  
  • Av8r1969
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:08am

    Ask and you shall receive…..

    Report Post »  
  • snowflake220
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:06am

    Lynette is my friend. I’ve known RJ and her for over 39 years. Let me tell you how Robert’s killed RJ.

    He hit him on the head with a lead pipe. Ron tried to protect his face and head and lost some of his fingers from the severe blows from Robert’s. His hands looked like hamburger Lynette said. He then beat him so hard on the face that the EMT’s were not able to put the mouth to mouth mask on him when trying to bring him back from the dead. His face was so swollen.

    Robert‘s hit RJ so hard in the neck that RJ’s neck was broken. Once RJ was unconscious he wrapped shrink wrap around his face and head to make sure he didn’t breathe and try to call for help.

    He then stole RJ’s ring with the stones of all his grandkids in it. He stripped him of his clothes so he could walk out looking like a guard.

    Ron’s daughter, Missy worked at the hospital that RJ was taking to and met him at the ER entrance. Not knowing he was already dead she told her father, “You will be ok dad”. Since he had a towel wrapped around his head she thought he may have had a heart attack and fell hitting his eye that she saw was swollen. She had no idea the extent of his injures and that her dad was murdered.

    Robert’s is not just a murderer he is an ANIMAL! He deserves to die so he can meet Satan.

    Report Post »  
    • SDmom
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:44am

      Snowflake: I was so stunned when I heard the news about the murder. Please extend my sympathies to the family. I believe Keloland is carrying live coverage of the verdict, I’ll be watching and thinking of the family.

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:01pm

      May peace descend upon you his family with only the fondest of memories of what sounds like a good man. Waste not a moment of energy on the madman who is evil and who will surely meet his just deserves in the black void after death. Remember the Father, the husband, the man. His smile his laughter, his nobility and pride. He is still there with you all in spirit, love is eternal and can never be destroyed, you will be with him soon enough in eternity. Live life as he would want you to, not consumed by the cruel act of a mad man, but in the honor of the love that he shared and taught you to bestow upon others. May God Bless you all, In Jesus’ name I pray for your peace.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
  • objectivetruth
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:31am

    This might sound contrite.It isn’t meant that way.There are those that believe his[or any other prisoner in for life or the death penalty] living out the rest of his life in a cell holds more punishment value than his death will.Death is to easy quick and painless.
    Note the people who hold this line of thinking aren’t necessarily liberal or conservative.

    Report Post »  
  • AB5r
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:17am

    Unless he is in solitary confinement it should be very easy to get killed in prison. Just get in the face of a few of the meanest gangs and they will kill you. Or he could overdose on one of the large variety of drugs that are for some reason still available in our prison system.

    Report Post » AB5r  
  • MUDFLAPS
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:04am

    give him what he wants

    Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:40am

    Poor baby is being picked on in general population and doesn’t like it, to bad.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • shirtsbyeric
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:36am

    4 words…Solar Powered Electric Chair.

    Report Post »  
  • Badmancomith
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:24am

    Put a clapper switch on his electric chair, so we can all give him a hand. “Clap on, clap off”.

    Report Post » Badmancomith  
  • Cthulu
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:22am

    For all you poetry lovers who really believe we are heading straight into the Apocalypse here is William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

    THE SECOND COMING

    “Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
    Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
    Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
    The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
    The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
    The best lack all conviction, while the worst
    Are full of passionate intensity.

    Surely some revelation is at hand;
    Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
    The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
    When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
    Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
    A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
    A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
    Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
    Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.

    The darkness drops again but now I know
    That twenty centuries of stony sleep
    Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
    And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
    Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? ”

    The Beast is already banging on the gate.

    Report Post » Cthulu  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:20am

    I say oblige him quickly and save the tax payers money.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • your sensei
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:18am

    I think that’s Steve Doocy.

    Report Post » your sensei  
  • TrailerParkDave
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:09am

    double tap

    Report Post » TrailerParkDave  
  • TomFerrari
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:02am

    Unborn children are murdered, and denied the opportunity to ever experience life;
    and we PROTECT the life of a MURDER, who is an ADULT, capable of decision-making.

    (Seems society is too ready to attack those who have no voice. We kill babies before they are born. We tax them before they are born. They will spend their entire lives paying for the COVETOUS GREED of this generation’s TAKERS. “National Debt” is, by definition, TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.)

    BTW: I’ve got $0.32 cents I’ll be glad to donate if the court needs the money.

    Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:07am

      And I have two SB Anthony dollar coins in my pocket for the cause…

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Citizen_Joe
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:54am

    In this instance I would have to lean to the “Pro-choice” side… he wants to die so… let him… call it an extra late term abortion.

    Report Post » Citizen_Joe  
  • TXVET48
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:52am

    Another waste of taxpayer’s money trying to be politically correct. The man wants to die, admits he’ll kill again, what is missing from this….Bury him.

    Report Post » TXVET48  
  • Tronix
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:42am

    Well, it’s pretty clear this criminal is not a liar. He knows exactly the kind of person he is, which is his goal in life, and is very open to share his thoughts with others. Here we have a very focused and honest person…….and also the most disgusting, cruel and evil murderer.

    Report Post » Tronix  
    • piper60
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:47am

      Isn’t it amazing, that when a criminal asks to die and confesses his evil, the judge refuses his request?

      Report Post » piper60  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:39am

    Watch some looney tune liberal atty come to this low life’s defense in order to save said low life from himself and his choice.

    Hmmm…… I guess “low life” could apply to both the murderer AND the looney tune lib atty…….

    Report Post » biohazard23  
    • let us prey
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:55am

      bio
      Sometimes I feel like I’m all alone, empty inside, out of control.
      My heart a void, my empty soul, until it‘s filled I’ll never be whole.
      How did things ever get so bad, sinking empty, full of despair
      I find myself alone and scared, in a world where nobody cares.

      A hopeless end, afraid deep inside
      Relief from my pain, the end a suicide?
      The tears I’ve cried have left me blind
      I yearn to find peace, a presence of mind.

      Report Post » let us prey  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:09am

      Nice…. I like it!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Smokepole
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:22am

    This one’s way too easy…. smoke him!

    Report Post » Smokepole  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:07am

      50 Cal. or 54. Inline or Flintlock?
      Perhaps just run it though.

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
  • Thundermeister
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:13am

    One bullet to the head could save the taxpayer’s a lot of money.

    Report Post » Thundermeister  
  • SDmom
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:11am

    This man planned his escape from prison, and that included murder of a corrections officer, that’s enough for me.

    Report Post »  
  • The Catbird
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:09am

    Time to dust off ol’ sparky…

    Report Post » The Catbird  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 7:52am

    Give him what he wants and save the tax payer some money.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:07am

      Finally,
      A PERP that knows what he is and is not afraid to pay the consequences for his actions.
      AMEN

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:16am

      I don’t get it.. How much do you have to do in S.D to receive a death penalty ? I mean sheesh, the man killed a prison guard.. I bet the wife of the guard HATES this judge and probably has a little respect for the murderer for stating that, he himself deserves to dies for killing her husband.. Amazing, kill an unborn child = OK , killing a convicted murderer = not so sure yet… WOW !! only in a liberal world..

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:23am

      When you can’t take out the trash this country is FUBAR.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • GERATMO
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:28am

      I agree but sometimes the death penalty costs more than life in prison.

      Report Post » GERATMO  
    • drago
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:25pm

      @Geratmo
      A .40 cal. bullet costs me less than .50 cents. How cheap do you want it?

      Report Post »  
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