FARGO (KFGO-AM) - The appeals process for Alfonso Rodriguez has been extended until next year. Lawyers for the man who kidnapped and killed Dru Sjodin are trying to prove that Rodriguez is not suitable for capital punishment.
A forensics hearing will be held in federal court in March, 2017. Another hearing will be held in June to focus on Rodriguez's mental health. The hearings will take several days. Upwards of a dozen mental health experts and other witnesses may be called to testify.
Defense attorneys say Rodriguez is mentally handicapped and was denied effective counsel during his trial.
The appeal has been bogged down in recent months because a new defense team took over the case.
Rodriguez remains on death row at a federal prison in Indiana.