Pennington County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — The second phase of a murder trial involving a Thief River Falls man convicted of killing a DigiKey employee began Wednesday, July 30, in Pennington County District Court.
Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera, 34, was found guilty on June 13 of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder in the death of Steven Opdahl, 61, of Oklee. The killing occurred outside DigiKey on May 9, 2023.
The court is now tasked with determining whether Benitez-Estremera was mentally capable of understanding the difference between right and wrong at the time of the crime. The trial was bifurcated into two phases due to conflicting psychological evaluations submitted by both the defense and the prosecution.
Judge Tamara Yon, who presided over the initial trial, is expected to issue a ruling within 30 days after final briefs are submitted. The defense’s brief is due Sept. 8, the state’s response is due Sept. 19, and the defense may reply by Sept. 26.
Brutal Homicide Caught on Surveillance
The attack was captured on DigiKey security footage, and evidence showed the incident lasted approximately three minutes. According to the prosecution’s summary, Opdahl had exited the building to smoke when Benitez-Estremera approached and knocked a cigarette and cup from his hands before launching a violent, sustained assault.
Footage showed Benitez-Estremera:
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Punching Opdahl
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Slamming his head into a car windshield, causing it to crack
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Attempting to twist Opdahl’s neck
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Striking him approximately 11 times with the metal edge of a handicap parking sign
Opdahl tried repeatedly to escape, but ultimately died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck. The final autopsy found a near-complete transection of the brainstem, cervical spine fractures, rib fractures, and pulmonary contusions — injuries that caused immediate incapacitation and death.
Defendant’s Actions and Statements
Benitez-Estremera, who had arrived more than 20 minutes early to pick up his girlfriend from work, did not know Opdahl. The two were strangers, and the motive remains unclear.
After the attack, Benitez-Estremera:
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Washed his hands
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Disposed of bloodied clothing in a garbage can
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Told his girlfriend nothing about the incident
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Later, he admitted to law enforcement that he had started the fight
He also reportedly told police, “I had to take him out,” and referred to Opdahl as “different,” even stating he needed to take him “out of the system.”
Next Steps in Trial
Because Benitez-Estremera waived his right to a jury trial and requested a stipulated evidence trial, the first phase was decided by Judge Yon based on submitted materials. No witnesses were called during that phase.
Benitez-Estremera has remained in custody at the Pennington County Jail since his arrest hours after the homicide. Judge Yon formally revoked his conditions of release during the second phase hearing, noting that regardless of the outcome, Benitez-Estremera would face some form of commitment, whether criminal or civil.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.