Man free 3 years after murder; daughter of slain Dickinson man shares story of anger with situation
It’s been three years since 49-year-old Neal Douglas Matejovsky of Dickinson was murdered and a man authorities say was involved in his slaying remains free. Family members’ emotions are still running on high.
- Neal Matejovsky
It’s been three years since 49-year-old Neal Douglas Matejovsky of Dickinson was murdered and a man authorities say was involved in his slaying remains free. Family members’ emotions are still running on high.
Unless Benjamin Orf is charged with murder, time has run out for charges to be filed against him.
“I think I’ll forever be really angry about it,” said Jessica Bilquist, Matejovsky’s daughter. “It’s really tough to have that closure and see someone like that get away with something so horrible.”
Orf, who is Bilquist’s half-brother, is accused of stabbing Matejovsky after Shane Miller shot and killed him, authorities said at a 2009 hearing. Miller was convicted of murder.
“Just because the first bullet I guess was the one that delivered the fatal wound … that doesn’t mean they knew that and for him to get out and stab him afterward, I mean I don’t understand how that doesn’t count for anything,” Bilquist said.
Orf is on probation after being convicted for illegally possessing a firearm in connection to Matejovsky’s murder.
Ross Sundeen, Dunn County state’s attorney, told The Press in 2010 that he would be charging Orf for his alleged part in the murder.
Kevin McCabe, who was Orf’s attorney while he was being charged with the weapons offense, expected more charges.
“He said he was going to charge him and never did,” McCabe said of Sundeen. “I don’t know if he’s going to or not.”
In October, Sundeen said he was unsure if he would charge him. He has not responded to calls and messages from The Press last week and Monday.
Chris Larsen, Dunn County clerk of court, said there were no charges against Orf out of Dunn County as of Monday afternoon.
Authorities believe Matejovsky was killed March 26, 2009. According to North Dakota law, prosecution for any felony other than murder must be commenced within three years.
“If you can’t prove things beyond a reasonable doubt to people that don’t know him, that’s what’s tough,” Bilquist said. “Ben had bought a gun a month before moving to Dickinson and after years and years and years of not talking to my dad, all of a sudden he starts talking to my dad. They never had a good relationship. It just doesn’t make sense.”
She is in her first trimester of pregnancy wants “justice in some way, shape or form.”
“It would be really awesome to have my kid know it’s Grandpa,” she said. “Especially someone who meant so much to me and was my best friend growing up. That’s something my kid will never know.”
However, Bilquist can share her memories of Matejovsky.
“When I was 3 or 4years old my dad used to have me sit outside with him and listen to crickets late at night and look at the stars,” she said. “To this day I still do that.”
Bilquist also enjoyed playing sports, camping and fishing with Matejovsky.
“He really tried to do things with me and always made sure I was taken care of as much as he could,” she said. “I feel like he was maybe really misunderstood.”
Orf, who is now residing in Williston, according to court records, does not have a listed phone number.
Tags: ben orf, bejamin orf, neal douglas matejovsky, jessica bilquist, dunn county, ross sundeen, news, local, crime, court, dickinson
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