He was found guilty of killing Dru Sjodin and now the same jury has sentenced Alfonso Rodrguez, Junior to death for his crime.

Mike Morken of KX 4 News in Fargo has more.

(Linda Walker, Dru's Mother) "I know it wasn't an easy decision for the jurors, but Dru's voice was heard today."


(Mike Morken, Reporting) Linda walker spoke with reporters after jurors handed down the death sentence for the man responsible for her daughter's death. The decision was made by the same federal jury that convicted Rodriguez last month.

(Drew Wrigley, US Attorney) "This was a multi-aggravated kidnapping, rape and murder by someone who chose to do what he did to somebody who hadn't done anything."


Rodriguez looked straight ahead and showed no emotion as the sentence was announced. His mother and sister cried, as did a number of the jurors.

(Allan Sjodin, Dru's Father) "Justice is served. It doesn't fill all of the voids, hardly fills any of them one thing is suspect right now and that is justice has been served."


(Richard Ney, Defense Attorney) "It just seems difficult to grasp that justice is taking a life of a child of God and we're sad for the people of North Dakota that they're joining states like Texas and Florida in using the death penalty that think that solves this issue of crime in society."


The University of North Dakota student from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, disappeared from a Grand Forks shopping mall parking lot in November 2003. Her body was found the following April in a ravine near Crookston, in northwestern Minnesota.

(Chris Lang, Dru's Boyfriend) "She got the verdict that she deserved. But everybody out there do not forget her. These matters are done today and we'll never get her back. So celebrate her life for as long as yours. She was beautiful, she was wonderful. Keep her in your hearts forever."

Richard Ney says he will file paperwork to seek a new trial, and if that fails, he will appeal the sentence. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list