Adam Fravel murder trial to be moved from Winona County; other defense motions denied
(ABC 6 News) – The man facing first-degree murder charges in the death of Madeline Kingsbury will not be tried in her hometown of Winona.
According to court documents, Judge Nancy L. Buytendorp has approved Adam Fravel’s defense motion to change the venue of his murder trial.
Fravel is accused of the 1st-degree murder of Winona mother Madeline Kingsbury.
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Judge Buytendorp wrote: “Considering the extensive pretrial publicity and the substantial involvement of the Winona community in this case, a change of venue is warranted. The Defendant’s motion for such a change is hereby granted. It is evident to this Court that a fair trial cannot be ensured
within this county. Therefore, it falls upon this Court to determine which county within the state
can best ensure the impartiality necessary for a fair trial. To facilitate this process, this Court will
collaborate closely with both district and state court administration to identify a suitable county
capable of accommodating this Winona County case.“
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The ruling was the only victory Fravel’s defense achieved June 12, as Judge Buytendorp denied other motions to dismiss many of Fravel’s statements to law enforcement during the search for Kingsbury’s body, as well as an attempt to dismiss the 1st-degree murder charges levied by grand jury.
Buytendorp also approved a motion by the prosecution to seek an aggravated, or harsher sentence, based on alleged evidence of domestic abuse and the fact that Kingsbury’s body was concealed, possibly for weeks, after her death.
At this time, the future location of Fravel’s trial is unknown.
We will continue to follow this story and bring you the latest as we lean more.