Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.’s lawyers have filed papers in U.S. District Court in Fargo that claim evidence in possession of the defense proves that Dru Sjodin didn’t die in the manner alleged by the government at trial and there was no rape. Instead, papers state Sjodin likely died from asphyxiation after a struggle and attempted rape in Rodriguez’s car. Prosecutors at his 2006 trial told jurors that Sjodin was raped and her throat was slashed at least twice.
A federal judge set a hearing date for January 28, 2019 to consider claims by Rodriguez’s attorneys that his conviction and death sentence should be set aside because jurors at his trial heard false testimony. Judge Ralph Erickson allotted 10 days for the hearing at a meeting earlier this week. A hearing is set for August 20 to consider claims by the defense that Rodriguez is not mentally competent to be executed.
ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ’S LAWYERS FILE PAPERS ARGUING CAUSE OF DRU SJODIN’S DEATH
