State v. Berget

GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1.] Rodney Berget pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Ronald Johnson. Berget waived his right to a jury determination of the appropriate sentence. After a pre-sentence hearing, the circuit court sentenced Berget to death. He appeals the imposition of the death penalty. Pursuant to statute, this Court consolidates those issues raised by Berget with the statutory determinations required by SDCL 23A-27A-12. See SDCL 23A-27A-10.

FACTS

[¶ 2.] Berget was convicted of attempted first-degree murder in Lawrence Coun*9ty in 2003, for events that occurred in June of…