Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—A Thief River Falls man accused of first-degree premeditated murder has waived his right to a jury trial in favor of a stipulated evidence trial, where a judge will determine the verdict based on agreed-upon facts and legal arguments.
Case Background
- Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera, 34, is charged with:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- Second-degree intentional murder (not premeditated)
- The incident took place on May 9, 2023, at Digi-Key Electronics in Thief River Falls.
- Victim: Steven Opdahl of Oklee, MN
- Security footage showed Benitez-Estremera approaching Opdahl, initiating a verbal altercation, then proceeding to strike him multiple times despite Opdahl never retaliating.
- Benitez-Estremera allegedly chased Opdahl down, knocked him over with a signpost, and continued attacking him while he lay motionless.
- A female companion later exited the building, got into Benitez-Estremera’s vehicle, and they left the scene.
Alleged Confession & Legal Challenges
- Benitez-Estremera later admitted to the assault, claiming Opdahl was “contaminated” and needed to be “taken out of the system”—though the two had no known prior relationship.
- His mental health and cognitive status were evaluated following his arrest, delaying court proceedings.
- The defense sought to suppress Benitez-Estremera’s initial interview, but after a months-long legal battle, the motion was denied by Judge Tamara Lynn Yon.
- Additional motions remain unresolved, including:
- A request to exclude evidence of his alleged flight from the scene, which the prosecution argues demonstrates consciousness of guilt.
- A motion for a change of venue due to potential pretrial publicity bias.
Next Steps in the Case
- Benitez-Estremera’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 26 at 2 p.m.
- If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
More updates will be provided as the case proceeds.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me