ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ JR. Archives

Death sentence reduced to life in prison for man who killed UND student

May 23, 2023

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The death sentence for a Minnesota man who killed a North Dakota college student 20 years ago has been officially changed to life in prison. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ralph Erickson signed the sentence amendment for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. last week, according to court records. Rodriguez, a sex offender, was convicted in 2007 of…

‘Dead Man Walking’ author discusses Rodriguez case, expects federal executions to decline

Sister Helen Prejean: "Being sentenced to death and following through with it are two very different things."

March 21, 2023

Breeane Bolin,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The case of Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. is one that is well-known in our community. The federal government recently decided not to pursue the death penalty for Rodriguez, Jr. “Being sentenced to death and following through with it are two very different things.” Sister Helen Prejean is a well-known advocate for the people on death row as…

Criminal Justice expert on death penalty abolition 50 years ago in ND

March 15, 2023

Hami Arain,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It’s been fifty years since the North Dakota legislature banned capital punishment for all crimes. “It is possible that they would decide to implement it again if it seems like the political climate would be right for it. A lot of people who are already sentenced to death are not executed for many, many years. The…

Death penalty dropped against Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr.

March 14, 2023

Brian Barrett,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – In 2006, Rodriguez was sentenced to death by U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson. However, federal prosecutors have made a decision to no longer seek the death penalty against the man convicted of kidnapping and killing UND Student Dru Sjodin. U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider assures Rodriguez will remain behind bars for the rest of his life. “Well,…

Juror In Rodriguez, Jr. Case Speaking Out After Death Penalty Is Dropped

March 14, 2023

Emily Welker,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — One of the twelve jurors who decided Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. should be executed for kidnapping and murdering Dru Sjodin is speaking out. Luke Lillehaugen was part of the six-week long, three-part trial in 2006 that left Rodriguez sitting on death row in federal prison in Indiana. He says the prospect of Rodriguez getting off death row…

Rodriguez Attorney: DOJ halted death penalty in all but one decertification requests

January 20, 2023

Emily Welker,

FARGO (KVRR) – An attorney for Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr., the man on death row for the kidnapping and death of Dru Sjodin, says the Biden Administration has halted the death penalty from being imposed in all but one request filed with the Dept. of Justice. Defense attorney Victor Abreu said via teleconference during a hearing at Fargo’s federal courthouse that…

Ramsey Co. attorney’s office reviews cases where former medical examiner testified, investigated

January 19, 2023

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Ramsey County Attorney John Choi’s office is investigating dozens of cases involving the testimony or investigation of former medical examiner Dr. Michael McGee. Last week, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced his office was vacating the murder conviction of a man who was sent to prison nearly 25 years ago for the death of his wife,…

Rodriguez defense says appeal to reinstate death penalty should be dismissed

March 18, 2022

Jim Monk,

Alfonso Rodriguez FARGO (KVRR) – Defense attorneys claim federal prosecutors lacked jurisdiction when they recently appealed a federal judge’s order that overturned the death penalty for Alfonso Rodriguez. On March 3, prosecutors said they intend to ask a federal appeals court to overturn Judge Ralph Erickson’s order in September that threw out the death penalty and ordered a new sentencing…

Feds will ask appeals court to reinstate death penalty for Rodriguez

March 4, 2022

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR) – Prosecutors will ask a federal appeals court to reverse a federal judge’s order that threw out the death penalty for Alfonso Rodriguez, the man convicted of kidnapping and killing Dru Sjodin. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Fargo has filed a notice that says prosecutors intend to ask the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Ralph…

Prosecutors begin round 2 of arguing Rodriguez death penalty

October 31, 2021

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. — Prosecutors in North Dakota’s first and only death penalty case say defense attorneys are wrong by claiming the judge didn’t go far enough in explaining why he threw out the sentence for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. He was convicted of killing UND student Dru Sjodin. Judge Ralph Erickson in September ordered a new sentencing phase be conducted, saying…