UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE DIRECTED TO WITHDRAW DEATH PENALTY NOTICE IN RODRIGUEZ CASE

FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced today that the United States Attorney General has directed him to withdraw the notice of intent to seek a sentence of death in the case of the United States of America v Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr.  This morning, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota followed that directive by filing a withdrawal notice indicating that the United States will no longer seek the death penalty in that case.

“My thoughts today are with Dru Sjodin’s family, particularly her parents, Linda Walker and Allan Sjodin,” said Mac Schneider. “They are genuinely good people and loving parents who in the wake of an unimaginable loss have worked closely with our office for nearly twenty years. We continue to wish them the greatest measure of peace possible.”

“I also want to commend the trial team, including former United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, as well as our office’s appellate attorneys and support staff. Over the last two decades, they have continuously upheld the high standards of the Department of Justice through their work on this tragic case. As a result of their efforts, Mr. Rodriguez is – and will remain – a convicted murderer.”

“The directive to withdraw the death notice has changed how the United States Attorney’s Office will proceed with this case. What will not change is that Mr. Rodriguez will draw his last breath in a federal prison.”

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