South Dakota executes man 18 months after conviction

The 32nd Execution of 2012

Eric Robert, convicted of killing a prison guard in 2011, was executed Monday in Sioux Falls, S.D., reported UPI.

Robert, 50, was put to death at 10:24 p.m. moments after saying his final words, "In the name of justice and liberty and mercy, I authorize and forgive Warden Douglas Weber to execute me for the crimes. It is done," KSFY-TV reported.

Robert and accomplice Rodney Berget were convicted of killing Corrections Officer Ronald "RJ" Johnson during an escape attempt at the South Dakota State Penitentiary on April 12, 2011. He had been serving an 80-year sentence for kidnapping at the time.

Robert spent only about 18 months on death row and volunteered to be executed.  He waived all appeal rights and requested to be put to death.

He chose to fast in the 40 hours before his execution, consuming his last meal -- Moose Tracks ice cream -- Saturday, his attorney, Mark Kadi, said.

To read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/10/16/Eric-Robert-executed-in-South-Dakota/UPI-66991350361097/#ixzz29wGgfpnn