Rodney Berget has admitted to killing Correctional Officer Ronald Johnson during a failed escape attempt at the South Dakota State Penitentiary last April.
Last week we watched Berget's sentencing phase unfold as Berget told the court he deserves the death penalty for what he did.
Monday Judge Brad Zell is set to decide if Berget will die for the crime.
It's impossible to say what Judge Zell will decide for Berget, either the death penalty or another life sentence.
The inmate was already serving life for rape and attempted murder when he killed Officer Ronald RJ Johnson.
But we do know Berget's accomplice Eric Robert also pleaded guilty to the murder and the judge did sentence Robert to death.
While we can't predict Monday's outcome, we can take a look back at this week of testimony.
Rodney Berget's sentencing phase began Monday January 30th. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Defense Attorney Jeff Larson gave their opening statements, setting the tone for the week.
Jackley said, "your honor, the state will demonstrate that Berget's extreme violent actions coupled with his intensive escape history that death is the appropriate and indeed the only viable conclusion for this court to reach."
Larson said, "you will hear testimony of some of the humanity people see in him, that too often we want to deny exists in people that are in situations like Rodney."
On Tuesday, two of Berget's victims from prior crimes spoke to court. A woman Berget is convicted of raping and Beatrice Miranda, an ex-girlfriend Berget tried to kill.
Miranda said, "by the time I turned around he was already at my bedroom door so I just started shooting (Jackley) were you scared? (Miranda) yes."
After the victims' testimony, Officer RJ Johnson's wife and two children took the stand. Lynette Johnson told the court there was no reason for her husband to die.
Lynette said, "they could've just tied him up, if he knew they were gonna hurt him and take him away from me, he would've gave them his uniform, just to stay with me."
On Wednesday three defense witnesses took the stand and on Thursday Berget finally spoke for himself.
Berget said, "I believe I deserve the death penalty for what I've done. That's all I have to say."
After that both sides rested their case and left the decision in Judge Brad Zell's hands for Monday.
Attorney General Marty Jackley asked RJ Johnson's son Jesse and daughter Missy if Berget deserves the death penalty.
Jesse told the judge to do whatever his heart feels is right and Missy said she thinks Berget does deserve to die for killing her father.
Judge Zell will discuss his decision starting at ten Monday morning at the Minnehaha County Courthouse.
We will be there, stick with KSFY News on air and online for the latest developments.
