April 26, 2024

Deliberations to resume in Emmet County slaying

ESTHERVILLE — Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Friday in the slaying of an Emmet County man. Closing arguments were delivered Thursday and Lee Christensen’s case was turned over to jurors. The 19-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, accused of shooting to death 19-year-old Thomas Bortvit on June 6 last year at the Christensen farm in the Estherville area. Defense attorneys acknowledged that Christensen killed Bortvit but argued it was a killing in the heat of passion.