Tue, Jun 20th, 2023 - 9:43am
September 07, 2021 - 9:08am | By Kyle Cornell
(Fargo, ND) -- The man found guilty of kidnapping and killing a UND student has had his death penalty conviction overturned.
In an over 200-plus page ruling, eighth circuit court of appeals judge Ralph Erickson said there were two main violations of the Constitution and Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.'s right to effective assistance.
The judge cited the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's testimony, along with trial counsel's limit to a mental health evaluation of the man who murdered Dru Sjodin back in 2003.
Judge Erickson has demanded as a result that a new penalty phase trial be held.
