Renville jury returns guilty verdict in murder trial

Tom Cherveny, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·3 min read

May 27—OLIVIA

— A Renville County jury found Julian Daniel Valdez, 27, of Renville, guilty of second-degree murder — without intent — in the August 2021 shooting death of Pablo Eliazar Guitierrez, 31.

The jury returned its verdict on Thursday after a four-day trial, according to information from Renville County Attorney Kelsie Kingstrom.

The jury returned a not-guilty verdict to a charge of second-degree murder with intent, not premeditated.

The jury returned its verdicts after deliberating for less than three hours, according to information from the county attorney.

"This senseless act of violence shattered the lives of so many people," said Imran Ali in a news release announcing the verdict. Ali, who is with the Eckberg Lammers Law Firm, served as special assistant to the Renville County Attorney to prosecute the case.

According to the original criminal complaint in the case, Valdez told law enforcement that he shot Gutierrez after Gutierrez attacked another man while the three were drinking in Valdez's garage in the City of Renville in August 2021. The other man also resides at the residence.

Gutierrez allegedly approached Valdez and the other man while the two were playing pool in the garage and indicated a desire to fight. At that point, Valdez retrieved a 1911 model .45-caliber pistol from the house.

After learning that Valdez and the other man were not the people he wanted to fight, Gutierrez calmed down and had a drink with the pair for approximately 1-1/2 hours before the conversation turned to the death of Ricardo Torres Jr., the man killed by an Olivia police officer July 4, 2021.

Valdez and the other man told law enforcement that Gutierrez "went from zero to 100" and began threatening the pair. The other man would later tell law enforcement during a recorded statement that Gutierrez threatened to kill him and attempted to grab him.

Valdez told law enforcement that he showed Gutierrez the pistol when Gutierrez became upset and began to "trip out." Gutierrez allegedly responded by saying he would take the handgun and shoot Valdez in the head.

At that point, Valdez told law enforcement Gutierrez went after the other man, who hit Gutierrez with a pool cue, causing it to break. Valdez told law enforcement that Gutierrez continued to go after the other man, who said "Please brother, shoot him."

Valdez told law enforcement he then shot Gutierrez one time in his side.

According to the criminal complaint, Gutierrez was shot on the right side of his body with the bullet traveling through the chest cavity.

According to the complaint, the other man called 911 and rendered aid to Gutierrez. Gutierrez was transported to a nearby football field for helicopter transport, but died before being airlifted to a hospital.

At the trial, Ali called members of Gutierrez's family, a medical examiner, law enforcement officers, eyewitnesses and experts from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to testify.

Valdez will be sentenced on July 20 at the Renville County Courthouse. He is facing up to 15 years in prison.