THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — A Thief River Falls man has been found not guilty of a 2023 murder due to mental illness.

Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera, 34, was ordered Oct. 15 to remain detained, either in a state hospital or other facility, until civil commitment proceedings are completed.

He was acquitted Oct. 7 for first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional, not premeditated murder.

Benitez-Estremera was arrested after Steven Opdahl, an Oklee, Minnesota, resident was found deceased May 9, 2023, outside of Digi-Key in Thief River Falls, where Opdahl worked.

Court documents say Benitez-Estremera pulled up outside of the Digi-Key building, exited his vehicle and knocked Opdahl's cigarette from his hand. The men exchanged words, then Benitez-Estremera attacked Opdahl.

See Full Page