PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Minnehaha County Grand Jury has issued a three count indictment charging Rodney S. Berget and Eric D. Robert, both inmates at the State Penitentiary, for the murder of Correctional Officer Ronald “RJ” Johnson and the assault of Correctional Officer Matthew Freeburg. Count 1 alleges premeditated first degree murder, class A felony, with a mandatory penalty of death or life in prison; Count 2 alleges first degree felony murder kidnapping, class A felony, with a mandatory penalty of death or life in prison; and Count 3 alleges simple assault against department of corrections Officer Freeburg. In conjunction with the Habitual Offender filing, Count 3 carries a maximum penalty of five years incarceration for Robert and a maximum of life in prison for Berget.
Berget and Robert are presumed innocent until such time as proven guilty.
The case continues to be investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
CONTACT: Sara Rabern, (605) 773-3215
