Hearing held for man accused in slaying on Owatonna

MANTORVILLE — A pre-trial hearing was held Wednesday in Dodge County District Court for a man accused of slaying a Claremont man in February 2008.

Danny Ortega Sr., and his son, Danny Ortega Jr., are charged with killing Troy Ulrich in a garage of the apartment complex where the three men lived.

A grand jury indicted both men with two counts of murder in the first-degree and two counts of murder in the second degree in January 2009.

Julie Maxwell, who is representing Ortega Sr., said Wednesday that a jury questionnaire will be sent out to prospective jurors by mid-December although she will reserve filing for a change of venue motion until after the hearing for Ortega’s son concludes.

Currently, Ortega is scheduled to appear for a jury trial on Jan. 11.

A jury trial for Ortega Jr. is scheduled to begin Monday in Dodge County District Court.

According to the criminal complaint, Ulrich was stabbed nine times and beaten. Ulrich was drinking in the garage with brothers Anthony Bermea and Eric Bermea when the Ortegas entered the garage.

The Bermea men are cousins to the Ortegas.

Ortega Sr. allegedly pushed Ulrich and the two began to fight when Ortega Sr. drew out a knife and stabbed Ulrich.

Ortega Jr. hit Ulrich in the head with a bolt cutter. When Ulrich fell to the ground, the two men continued to hit and kick him. Ortega Jr. picked up the knife his father dropped and stabbed Ulrich several more times in the chest, according to the complaint.

Last year, both Bermea men pleaded guilty to felony aiding an offender after the fact as they did not call police after it happened and reportedly helped the Ortegas clean up.

Both Ortega men continue to be held at the Steele County Detention Center with bail set at $1 million each.

Wendy Reuer can be reached at 444-1565.

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Member Opinions: By: Whereiscommonsense on 11/26/09 Charges filed are appropriate per the alleged offenses, pray justice is fair and proper punishment levied if the offenders are to be found guilty. Let's start cleaning up our community and surrounding towns by NOT tolerating crimes against people or property by levying the most firm punishments to be distributed "once" found guilty...I could care less about costs associated with administering justice, if it makes our towns and our citizens of all ages more safe...isn't that a price worth paying even "if" it results in property tax increases to live in a safe town and community?? I strongly believe so!! By: secretsquirrel on 11/26/09 Yup. Glad there's an echo in here. Let's hope it carries further than this site. By: Are_you_serious on 11/27/09 Couldn't agree with you more!!
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