Alfonso Rodriguez

Case record: Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr.

Status

Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. was sentenced to death on September 22, 2006.

Background

Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. was born February 18, 1953. He was a registered level 3 sex offender in Minnesota. He lived in Crookston, Minnesota with his mother.

Rodriguez had been released from jail in May of 2003 after completing a 23-year prison term for stabbing and trying to kidnap a woman. He had also previously pleaded guilty to rape. Before the slaying, he had served more than 20 years for offenses that included rape and attempted kidnapping, and he got out of prison about six months before the killing.

The offence

Dru Kathrina Sjodin (September 26, 1981 - c. November 22, 2003) was a victim of kidnapping, rape, and murder. She was a University of North Dakota student from Pequot Lakes, Minn., and a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Her disappearance garnered great media coverage throughout the United States and prompted the creation of the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Registry.

During the early evening hours of November 22, 2003, Sjodin finished her shift at the Victoria's Secret store located in Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She shopped at the mall's Marshall Field's department store and then left the mall. While walking to her car, she spoke with her boyfriend, Chris Lang, via cellular phone. During the call, she was saying "okay, okay," and then an "Oh My God" before the call ended abrutly. About three hours later, Lang received another call from her cell phone, but only heard static and the sound of buttons being pressed. It had been determined that this second phone call originated somewhere near Fisher, Minnesota.

Authorities said Sjodin had been beaten, raped and stabbed. Her body was found partially nude and face down in a ravine. Her hands were tied behind her back, and she had been beaten, stabbed, sexually assaulted, and had several lacerations including a five and a half inch cut on her neck. A rope was also tied around her neck, and remnants of a shopping bag were found under the rope, suggesting that a bag had been placed on her head. The medical examiner concluded that she had either died as a result of the major neck wound, from suffocation, or from exposure to the elements.

Investigation

On December 1, 2003, Rodriguez was arrested in connection with Sjodin's disappearance. According to police reports, Rodriguez admitted being near the Columbia Mall the day Sjodin disappeared, allegedly watching the movie Once Upon a Time in Mexico. That movie was not playing at any theater in the area.

Police also found receipts of purchases that Rodriguez had made at several stores near the mall, including one receipt for a knife purchased at a nearby Menards store. Police also found a woman's shoe and a knife in Rodriguez's car that had blood on it that matched Sjodin's DNA.

Sjodin's body was recovered on April 17, 2004 just west of Crookston, Minnesota, when deep snow drifts began to melt. Crookston was where Rodriguez lived with his mother. Thousands of people had helped search for Sjodin, and hundreds attended her funeral.

Arrest

On December 1, 2003, 50-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr., was arrested in connection with Sjodin's disappearance.

Trial

Because he had brought Sjodin across state lines, the trial was held in federal court, which meant that Rodriguez was eligible to receive the death penalty if convicted, a possibility not allowed under North Dakota or Minnesota law.

On August 30, 2006, Rodriguez was convicted in federal court of the murder of Dru Sjodin.

At the sentencing hearing, Rodriguez showed no emotion. He had been offered a chance to speak but declined.

Rodriguez's attorney, Richard Ney, gave notice that he planned to appeal.

"The sentence does not reflect the heart of the community," Ney said.
"It reflects the fear of the community."

The judge also rejected a motion for a new trial.

A federal judge, U.S District Judge Ralph Erickson, rejected a motion for a new trial for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 53.

The Associated Press report stated that the case led to tougher sex-offender laws. It also stated that it was the first death penalty case in a century to take place in North Dakota, and that neither North Dakota nor neighboring Minnesota have the death penalty.

Rodriguez was charged under federal law because Sjodin was taken across state lines.

Sentencing

On September 22, 2006, Rodriguez was sentenced to death.

On February 8, 2007, Rodriguez was formally sentenced to death. It was stated that Judge sentences killer of college coed Dru Sjodin to death February 08, 2007.

During sentencing, U.S District Judge Ralph Erickson also rejected a motion for a new trial.

Timeline

• November 22, 2003 — Sjodin finished her shift at the Victoria's Secret store in Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota, shopped at the mall's Marshall Field's department store, and left the mall; she spoke with boyfriend Chris Lang via cellular phone and later another call from her cell phone was received with only static and the sound of buttons being pressed from near Fisher, Minnesota.
• May 2003 — Rodriguez was released from jail after completing a 23-year prison term for stabbing and trying to kidnap a woman.
• December 1, 2003 — Rodriguez, 50, was arrested in connection with Sjodin's disappearance.
• April 17, 2004 — Sjodin's body was recovered just west of Crookston, Minnesota.
• August 30, 2006 — Rodriguez was convicted in federal court of the murder of Dru Sjodin.
• September 22, 2006 — Rodriguez was sentenced to death.
• February 8, 2007 — Rodriguez was formally sentenced to death; U.S District Judge Ralph Erickson rejected a motion for a new trial.

Outcome

Rodriguez was convicted in federal court of the murder of Dru Sjodin. He was sentenced to death on September 22, 2006, and was formally sentenced to death on February 8, 2007.

Aftermath

It was stated that the case revived debate about whether North Dakota should restore the death penalty. North Dakota's last execution was in 1905, and the last person sentenced to death was spared in 1915.

North Dakota and Minnesota toughened their laws against sex offenders, including life without parole for the most serious offenses and stricter supervision of offenders after they leave prison.

It was also stated that Rodriguez maintained that he was innocent.

Other details

The record described Rodriguez as a rapist who killed college student Dru Sjodin six months after being released from prison. It also stated that the case was the first death penalty case in a century to take place in North Dakota, and that Rodriguez was eligible under federal law due to the interstate nature of the crime.

The record also identified Sjodin as a student of the University of North Dakota and as a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.