Defense rests at Ortega Jr. trial on Owatonna

MANTORVILLE — Danny Ortega Jr. declined to testify on his own behalf and the defense rested its case Wednesday without calling any witnesses in the Ortega’s murder trial.

Ortega and his father, Danny Ortega Sr., both face charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with intent while committing a felony, second-degree murder with intent, and second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony for the Feb. 16, 2008, slaying of Troy Ulrich.

Ulrich was stabbed and beaten to death at the apartment complex in which all three men lived.

Ortega Jr. was asked by Dodge County District Judge Lawrence Agerter if he had had sufficient time to discuss taking the stand with his attorneys. Ortega Jr. said that he did.

Defense attorneys rested their case without calling any witnesses to the stand Wednesday morning.

Agerter set closing arguments to begin at 9 a.m. today, followed by instructions to the jury with deliberations slated to begin in the afternoon.

Prior to Wednesday, defense attorneys for Ortega Jr. said that they may call Ortega Sr. to testify, but he was not called.

The trial for Ortega Sr. is scheduled to begin in January.

The trial began with a week-long jury selection process on Nov. 30. Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Matthew Frank began opening statements before a jury of 14 on Monday, Dec. 7. One jury member was excused, citing illness, on the first day of testimony.

Jurors heard testimony from more than 50 prosecution witnesses, and also listened to two taped interviews between Ortega Jr. and law enforcement.

Wendy Reuer can be reached at 444-1565.

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Member Opinions: By: Geneva_Queen on 12/17/09 Drugs kill, drugs kill, drugs kill. Kids, teens, and adults, PAY ATTENTION!! By: Geneva_Queen on 12/17/09 Credit card companies have a Rewards Program for purchases. When will the legal system offer rewards for turning in those who sell, grow, or distribute drugs? By: atlascollapsed on 12/17/09 Thanks for the totally new and enlightening take on this story. I feel much better having read it. By: Gymnast1923 on 12/17/09 OMG GQ you are REDICULOUS!!! did you ever read the part that the reason he was murderd was because there was an argument that he was going to be ROBBED?? not beacause he owed drug money or anything like that?? hmmm IDK maybe I am WAY OFF! By: Thyro on 12/17/09 Drama Queen, there is a name for people like you who come onto a forum and try stirring up trouble. You are a TROLL. Keep up the good work. By: tbanderson on 12/17/09 Maybe I haven't read enough of Geneva_Queen's comments, but the one's that I have read really aren't all that bad. GQ is merely stating their opinion about the effects of drugs and alcohol-so what??? I feel the same way-drugs kill, guns kill, alcohol kills-if not handled properly, that is. GQ-good for you for your opinions-afterall, this is a comment section-and it is open to the public, and in a way this is a discussion board, so...discuss/comment away! By: Geneva_Queen on 12/17/09 Gymnast1923, As I mentioned before, if Mr Ulrich wasn't associating with such people in the first place...... DRUGS were the common factor that brought these men together. You can't make it sound like they never met before and the Ortega's were going to rob a complete stranger. Hmmmmm? By: Geneva_Queen on 12/17/09 Thyro, There is a name for people like you who come onto a forum and can't seem to join the discussion with anything intelligent. You are an uneducated LOSER. By: atlascollapsed on 12/17/09 "When will the legal system offer rewards for turning in those who sell, grow, or distribute drugs?" GQ, It's called doing your civic duty. If you have proof an illegal act is being committed simply call the police.
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