October 15, 2012

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2011, file photo Eric Robert appears in a Sioux Falls, S.D. court. Robert is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, South Dakota’s first execution in five years. Robert pleaded guilty in the April 12, 2011, slaying of a prison guard during a failed escape attempt and asked to be put to death, saying he would kill again.

Death-penalty opponent Elaine Engelgau holds a sign during a protest outside the South Dakota Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in anticipation of the execution of Eric Robert. Robert pleaded guilty in the April 12, 2011, slaying of a guard during a failed prison escape and asked to be put to death, saying he would kill again. He was scheduled to die by lethal injection at 10 p.m. at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls_ the state’s first execution in five years and only the second in more than half a century.

Family friends of murder victim Ronald “R.J.” Johnson gather outside the South Dakota Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in anticipation of the execution of Eric Robert, Johnson’s killer. Robert pleaded guilty in the April 12, 2011, slaying of a guard during a failed prison escape and asked to be put to death, saying he would kill again. He was scheduled to die by lethal injection at 10 p.m. at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls_ the state’s first execution in five years and only the second in more than half a century. Jennifer Doese, with flag, her sister-in-law Tonya Doese and Tonya’s daughter, Rachel Doese, stand together.

CORRECTS SPELLING OF REYNOLD - Reynold Nesiba, a death-penalty opponent, speaks to a crowd of protesters outside the South Dakota Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in anticipation of the execution of Eric Robert. Robert pleaded guilty in the April 12, 2011, slaying of a guard during a failed prison escape and asked to be put to death, saying he would kill again. He was scheduled to die by lethal injection at 10 p.m. at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls_ the state’s first execution in five years and only the second in more than half a century.

The training center adjacent to the South Dakota Penitentiary bears the name of Ronald “R.J.” Johnson on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Johnson, a prison guard at the prison, was killed in April 2011 during a botched escape attempt. The training center is where media are gathered in preparation for the execution of Johnson’s killer, Eric Robert, 50. Robert is set to be the first execution in the state since 2007, and only the second in more than half a century.

Lynette Johnson, the wife of slain prison guard Ronald “R.J.” Johnson, reacts as media witnesses describe to reporters the final moments of murderer Eric Robert, her husband’s killer, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Robert and another inmate, Rodney Berget, killed Ron Johnson in April 2011 during a failed prison escape attempt. The Monday execution marked the first execution in five years and the second in more than half a century for the state.

Missy Schafer, the daughter of slain prison guard Ronald “R.J.” Johnson, wipes her face after the execution of 50-year-old Eric Robert, her father’s killer, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Robert and another inmate, Rodney Berget, killed Johnson in April 2011 during a failed prison escape attempt. Robert’s marked the first execution in five years and the second in more than half a century for the state.

Lynette Johnson, the wife of slain prison guard Ronald “R.J.” Johnson, speaks to reporters after the execution of 50-year-old Eric Robert, her husband’s killer, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Robert and another inmate, Rodney Berget, killed Ron Johnson in April 2011 during a failed prison escape attempt. Robert’s marked the first execution in five years and the second in more than half a century for the state.