Fargo, N.D. (AP) Attorneys defending Alfonso Rodriguez Junior are expected to wrap up their case on Monday as they try to persuade the jury not to sentence the Crookston, Minnesota, man to death.

The government will then offer rebuttal testimony. U-S District Judge Ralph Erickson says he expects the jury to begin deliberating by the middle of next week whether Rodriguez should be executed or sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Jurors earlier found Rodriguez guilty of kidnapping resulting in the death of Dru Sjodin (shuh-DEEN'), a University of North Dakota student from Pequot (PEE'-kwaht) Lakes, Minnesota. Sjodin was killed about six months after Rodriguez was released from prison after serving 23 years for assaults on women.

Defense attorneys called eleven witnesses yesterday.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-15-06 0201CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list