Sioux Falls, SD
Correctional Officer Ron Johnson's family members asked Judge Brad Zell to sentence inmate Eric Robert to death for the brutal murder of their husband and father Wednesday during the final day of Robert’s sentencing hearing.
Robert spoke to Judge Zell in court Wednesday asking for his own execution, and explaining what he was thinking on April 12th when he tried to escape from prison.
For the last three days 49-year-old Eric Robert sat back and listened to how horrendous his attempted prison break was when he tried to escape from the state penitentiary with fellow inmate Rodney Berget. In court Wednesday Robert said that day could have been even more deadly.
"On the 12th of April this was a war to me. It was staffs’ duty to ensure I stayed in prison for the rest of my life. It was my duty to defeat them," Robert said.
Robert says the only reason he climbed the outside gate at the prison was to get a rifle from another correctional officer so he could kill more prison staff.
"I would have shot that weapon until it was empty. I was a hunter, so I can hit a target. I would have killed a lot of people that day," Robert said.
But, Robert and Berget were caught, and Robert has admitted to the crime. Wednesday he told Judge Brad Zell he is the poster-child for lethal injection.
"I would say that I would become the standard for the worst, the most aggravating, the most deserving of a death penalty," Robert said.
Robert also said during his 15 -minute statement that he didn't consider the correctional officers as humans that day, until he heard from Johnson's family in court.
"I wouldn't have been able to say people until I heard from the family of the Johnson's because I didn't see them as people then. They were my enemy. They are just human beings doing their job," Robert said.
And Robert has now put the pressure squarely on Judge Zell to sentence him to death.
"On the 12th of April, 2011, I would have killed anyone that would have stood in my way between me and freedom. Brad Zell if you stood between me and the door to freedom I would kill you. If I sat in your chair I would execute me. Do the right thing," Robert said.
And the only person that can make that decision now is Judge Zell himself.
Robert did say in court that lethal injection is the only way to prevent him from killing again.
Judge Zell plans to hand down a sentence soon but wants to take some time to consider all the evidence.
News
General
Courts
Web Only
Crime
Outdoors
Events Center
Non-Homepage
Boredom Busters
Pipeline
Positively KELOLAND
Technology
Hunger
Affordable Care Act
Shops
Flooding
Remembering 9/11
Drought
JazzFest
Spring Storm
Honor Flight
Spencer Anniversary
Copper Lounge Collapse
Hidden History
Founder's Day
Eclipse
Holiday
Custer Fire
Pheasant Fest
DoApp
Health News
Business News
Sports
Agriculture
Markets
Livestock
Crops
Politics
HealthBeat
Cancer
Children's Health
Heart Health
Wellness & Nutrition
General
Health Beat
Women's Health
RX Resources
What's Going Around
OTC
Diabetes
Recalls
Dental Health
Men's Health
Politics
South Dakota
Legislature
Budget
Congress
Taxes
General
Local
Campaign
President
US Senate
New Laws
US House
Iowa
Ballot Issues
Local Races
Minnesota
Gubernatorial
Education
Funding
College
Elementary
High School
Pre K
School Supplies
Middle School
Sports
Professional
College
High School
Sports Zone
Headlines
Summit League Tournament
Olympics
Super Bowl
Racing
All Star
Golf
NCAA
Business
Industry
Your Money Matters
Development
Gas & Energy
Legislation
Economy/Stocks
Employment
General
Health Care
Technology
Education Funding
Tourism
Banking/Finance
Housing
Transportation
Insurance
Meetings & Events
Retail & Restaurants
All Industries
On The Move
Shops
Agriculture
Holiday Shopping
Trendigital
Featured Stories
Eye on KELOLAND
Inside KELOLAND
Weather
Snow
Forecast
Records
Rain
Flooding
Drought
WX Corner
General
World News
Investigates
Sponsored
KELOLAND Living
Done
Opening existing...