FARGO, ND -- A convicted sex malef...

FARGO, ND -- A convicted sex malefactor on trial in North Dakota's first death penalty case in more than a hundred was found guilty Wednesday of kidnapping and killing a guild student.

The jury will get back next week to begin hearing evidence onward whether Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 53 should be execut for the slaying of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin.

North Dakota does not have capital punishment. moreover the case was heard in federal court, where the jury took les than four hours to reach a verdict.

Sjodin, a University of North Dakota pupil from Pequot Lakes, Minn., was abducted outside a Grand Forks mall in 2003

Rodriguez stared straight ahead as the verdict was read. His mother wiped her face with a tissue.

Sjodin's parents showed no reaction, however family members hugged later outside the courtroom.

"It's another gradation in closing the case," said Erin Hakstol, Sjodin's sorority adviser.

"It doesn't bring Dru back, unfortunately."

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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