Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – The prosecution has filed a memorandum opposing the defense’s motion to suppress a statement made by Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera, a Thief River Falls man, while in custody during a murder investigation. The state argued that Benitez-Estremera knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his Miranda rights.
Benitez-Estremera, 33, was indicted last year on felony charges of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree murder with intent. He is accused of intentionally killing Steven Opdahl, 61, of Oklee, on May 9, 2023, outside of DigiKey in Thief River Falls.
Opdahl suffered severe trauma to the left side of his head. A parking pole with a sign and bloody clothing were found near his body. Surveillance footage captured the three-minute attack, showing no aggression from Opdahl, who was on a smoke break. Benitez-Estremera allegedly assaulted Opdahl with the pole and punched him 17 times.
After the assault, Benitez-Estremera waited in the parking lot for his girlfriend, who worked at DigiKey. About 25 minutes later, a coworker found Opdahl’s motionless body. Law enforcement located Benitez-Estremera at a nearby apartment two hours after the 911 call. His girlfriend stated he had never been violent before.
Defense attorneys Steve Bergeson and Eric Gudmundson plan to argue a defense of mental illness or deficiency. They aim to suppress Benitez-Estremera’s statement, claiming he didn’t knowingly, intelligently, or voluntarily waive his Miranda rights.
Judge Tamara Yon ordered the defense to file its brief by June 14, after which she will take the matter under advisement. The prosecution, represented by Assistant Minnesota Attorney General John Gross and Assistant Pennington County Attorney Scott Collins, argues that Benitez-Estremera understood and waived his Miranda rights.
Assistant Special Agent Ricky Wuori Jr. testified that Benitez-Estremera was initially provided with an interpreter but later requested a different one, leading to the use of Language Line services. The state maintains that Benitez-Estremera communicated effectively during the interview, understanding and responding appropriately.
The prosecution argues that there was no coercion, intimidation, or deprivation of sleep or food during the interrogation, and that Benitez-Estremera’s unusual behavior does not undermine his mental capacity to waive his Miranda rights.