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Killer's Execution Delayed
Thursday, February 16 2012 04:33

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Supreme Court has delayed the execution of one of the men sentenced to die for the killing of a State Penitentiary guard.

Forty-nine-year-old Eric Robert pleaded guilty to killing guard Ronald Johnson on April 12 during a botched escape. A judge sentenced Robert to die by lethal injection. His execution had been set for the week of May 13-19.

The South Dakota Supreme Court issued a ruling Wednesday that stays the execution so the court can fully review the case. A new date has not been set.

The review is part of a mandatory process. Robert has said he will not appeal the death sentence.

Two other inmates also have been sentenced in the case - one to death and the other to life in prison.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)