Estherville, Iowa — An Estherville teen’s murder trial will not have a change of venue.
Emmet County Sheriff’s authorities say that 18-year old Lee Samuel Christensen is charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the June, 2015 death of 19-year old Thomas Bortvit.
A trial that was supposed to have taken place in December was continued to this past Tuesday, February 16th. However the trial did not take place then either, as there were concerns over a possible conflict of interest with the attorney representing Christensen.
Bortvit’s family reported him missing on June 6th, 2015 and Estherville authorities, along with the help of volunteers, searched southern Estherville. Police and Emmet County Sheriff’s officers located Bortvit’s body late the next afternoon, and immediately launched an investigation into his disappearance and death.
The investigation resulted in 1st Degree Murder charges being filed against Christensen, who was found and arrested at the Minneapolis airport the following day.
