FARGO - A historic kidnapping case that led to changes in sex offender laws led to a dramatic decision this year when a jury sentenced Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. to death.

Rodriguez's conviction and sentence for kidnapping and killing a University of North Dakota student was voted the top news story of the year by print and broadcast members of The Associated Press.

Rodriguez, 53, a convicted sex offender from Crookston, Minn., was found guilty of kidnapping resulting in the death of UND student Dru Sjodin. She disappeared from the parking lot of a Grand Forks shopping mall in November 2003.

It was the state's first death penalty case in nearly 100 years. Rodriguez's formal sentencing is set for Jan. 16.

"I've heard from so many people who in some variation have said that they are opposed to capital punishment, but they were glad he got the death penalty in this case," U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said. "He targeted a woman who had never done anything to him, kidnapped her, raped her and viciously murdered her."

The fear of sexual predators and the random act of violence caught the attention of people throughout the country, Wrigley said.

The killing of another 22-year-old college student was ranked second among the 2006 stories. Mindy Morgenstern, a part-time Valley City State student from New Salem, was found dead in her off-campus apartment on Sept. 13.

Moe Gibbs, 34, a former Barnes County jailer, was charged with Morgenstern's murder. He pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for June 19 in Minot.

Following his arrest in the murder case, Gibbs was charged in a 2004 Fargo rape after authorities investigated DNA evidence. He also faces charges of sexually abusing five female inmates at the Barnes County Jail.

The war in Iraq and Afghanistan was the third ranked story of 2006, after seven North Dakota service members were killed in attacks on U.S. soldiers.

Gov. John Hoeven and Rep. Earl Pomeroy made separate visits to visit North Dakota soldiers in those countries.