Lawyers Named for Rodriguez Appeal

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A federal judge has appointed lawyers to work on what is considered the final step in the legal appeals process for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.

The 57-year-old Rodriguez, of Crookston, Minn., is awaiting execution for the 2003 kidnapping and killing of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin, of Pequot Lakes, Minn. A federal appeals court has upheld the death sentence.

The case would be heard in North Dakota under a federal rule historically referred to as habeas corpus.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson named Northwestern University law professor Joseph Margulies to lead Rodriguez's defense team.

Margulies has represented several death row inmates and recently defended Guantanamo Bay detainees.

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