Prosecutors withdraw death penalty from Alfonso Rodriguez Jr case

Photo by: Cass County Jail
Photo by: Cass County Jail

(Fargo, ND) -- An update has finally come in what appeared to be a case in limbo involving a convicted murderer here in North Dakota.

Tuesday morning, U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Mac Schneider announced that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland directed him to withdraw the notice of intent to seek a sentence of death in the case of the United States of America v Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr.

“My thoughts today are with Dru Sjodin’s family, particularly her parents, Linda Walker and Allan Sjodin,” said Schneider in a statement released to WDAY Radio. “They are genuinely good people and loving parents who in the wake of an unimaginable loss have worked closely with our office for nearly twenty years. We continue to wish them the greatest measure of peace possible.”

A jury sentenced Alphonso Rodriguez Jr. to death in 2007 for the 2003 murder of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin. A judge overturned the decision to execute Rodriguez in 2021, ruling defense attorneys were ineffective during the sentencing phase of the trial.

“I also want to commend the trial team, including former United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, as well as our office’s appellate attorneys and support staff. Over the last two decades, they have continuously upheld the high standards of the Department of Justice through their work on this tragic case. As a result of their efforts, Mr. Rodriguez is – and will remain – a convicted murderer,” said Schneider.

Schneider did note that while the directive to withdraw the death notice has changed from his office, what will not change will be that Rodriguez will "draw his last breath in a federal prison."