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FARGO (AP) -- Roman Catholic bishops in North Dakota and Minnesota are opposing the death penalty for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., the man accused in the death of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin.

Bishops from both states plan to send formal letters detailing their position to Attorney General John Ashcroft and U.S. Attorneys Drew Wrigley of North Dakota and Thomas Heffelfinger of Minnesota.

Rodriguez is charged in federal court with kidnapping resulting in Sjodin's death. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail.

Rodriguez could face the death penalty if convicted, a decision that would come from Ashcroft.

The bishops have approved the letter and plan to send it next week, said Christopher Dodson, executive director of the Fargo diocese.

The case against Rodriguez is based in North Dakota. Wrigley said Friday he has not made any recommendations to Ashcroft about a possible death penalty case.

Catholic bishops and other groups often submit their opinions on potential death penalty cases, Wrigley said.

"I anticipate hearing from people of good conscience on either side of the issue," Wrigley said. "We have our appropriate considerations under the law and that is what we're going to reference."