Dept. Of Corrections Prepares For 2 Executions

In a matter of weeks, two South Dakota inmates are scheduled to die separately for their unrelated crimes. But Tuesday, our KELOLAND News cameras will get a glimpse into the final moments of a death row inmate.

The Jameson Annex at the South Dakota State Penitentiary is the maximum security facility where death row inmates are housed. 

Eric Robert is scheduled to be executed next week for killing Correctional Officer Ron "RJ" Johnson during a failed prison escape last April.  The exact date of his execution has not been released but we will find out 48 hours before the execution when the execution will take place.

Donald Moeller is scheduled to be executed the week of October 28 for killing and raping 9-year-old Becky O'Connell 22 years ago.  Last week Moeller asked a federal judge to dismiss his federal appeal.  We are still waiting on the judge's decision.  If it is dismissed, it will pave the way for Moeller's execution at the end of the month.

This is the first time in 110 years that South Dakota will be executing multiple inmates in one year and the first time ever two inmates will be executed in a span of three weeks.

Tuesday afternoon, Department of Correction officials will brief the media on exactly what will happen during the weeks that the executions are scheduled.  They'll also take us inside the death chambers the holding cell where the inmates will be held just before they are put to death.  We'll bring you to bring you those pictures and the details for the coming weeks tonight on KELOLAND News.