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Sjodin family feels justice done, but efforts to crack down on sex offenders must continue By BLAKE NICHOLSON Associated Press Writer FARGO, N.D. Dru Sjodins family says a death sentence for her killer brings some measure of justice, but it should not be the end of efforts to crack down on sex offenders.
Drus voice was heard today, and will hopefully be resounded around the world that we wont tolerate any longer violence against women, much less our children, Linda Walker said Friday after Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 53, of Crookston, Minn., was sentenced to death for the killing of her daughter.
Walker, of Pequot Lakes, has traveled around the country to push for tougher sex offender laws since Sjodins body was found in a ravine near Crookston in April 2004. Rodriguez, a convicted sex offender, was found guilty late last month of kidnapping resulting in the University of North Dakota students death, by the same jurors who sentenced him Friday.
In July, President Bush signed a new law that puts the names of convicted child molesters on a national Internet database and imposes a felony charge if they fail to update their whereabouts. The database will be named after Sjodin.
Walker spent much time traveling to Washington, D.C., in support of the legislation, and has given speeches around the country.
I think (the issue) has to stay in the forefront of our nations agenda, Walker said Friday. I think as a nation, we have to continually be aware.
Walker said she wants to build a nation where children dont have to fear predators. We cant run from the demons anymore that threaten our children, she said.
Allan Sjodin said memories of his daughter have aided the familys quest for justice.
Its been almost 1,000 days since Drus disappearance and murder, he said Friday. Its her strength that has driven us. Its her compassion, her passion, her serious love for everyone that gave us the qualities to continue this battle.
He said the death sentence for Rodriguez doesnt fill all of the voids, but justice was served.
Ive felt all along that for Drus sake, this needed to happen, Allan Sjodin said. Because if it doesnt happen here, when is it ever going to happen?
Dru Sjodins boyfriend, Chris Lang, credited the jury for being able to endure something that no one should have to.
They decided this with the care and dignity, the integrity that Dru deserves, and they made the right decision. She got the verdict that she deserved, Lang said. But everybody out there, do not forget her. We will never get her back, so celebrate her life for as long as yours.
Walkers husband, Sid, said Sjodin was someone who could light up your day just by saying hi.
Walker said Rodriguez has forever taken something special from her.
Its hard to go into public places and see other mothers with their daughters, sharing times together, she said.
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