Death Row Inmate asks South Dakota Supreme Court to allow his execution to proceed

June 14, 2012

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Death row inmate, Eric Robert has again asked the South Dakota Supreme Court to allow his execution and complete the mandatory review in a timely fashion. Robert plead guilty to the murder of a prison guard in a botched prison escape in 2011. His execution was set for May 2011 but was delayed for the states required mandatory review, which could take up to two years. Robert's attorney, Mark Kardi justified the request stating, "If this process will take up to (two) years as reported, Robert proposes we seek to answer the main underlying issue in this case: does a death row inmate have a constitutional right to die on time as ordered?" Roberts brief argues that either the Supreme Court should act on mandatory reviews more quickly or the state legislature should consider eliminating the mandatory review in certain situations. The petition is awaiting action by the court.

See also

• South Dakota Supreme Court