Defense rests case in penalty phase of Rodriguez trial

Fargo, N.D. (AP) Attorneys for Alfonso Rodriguez Junior called his sister and his young niece and nephew among their final witnesses in the penalty phase of his trial.

The 53-year-old convicted sex offender from Crookston, Minnesota, was found guilty late last month of kidnapping resulting in the death of Dru Sjodin (shuh-DEEN') of Pequot (PEE'-kwaht) Lakes, Minnesota.

Jurors will begin deciding later this week whether Rodriguez should be put to death or spend the rest of his life in prison.

Defense attorneys rested their case today in the penalty phase, after five days of testimony.

Rodriguez's niece and nephew testified that they liked spending time with their uncle after he was released from prison after spending time for an earlier sex crime, and had visited him in jail.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-18-06 1937CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list