Madeline Kingsbury trial: Jury deliberates Adam Fravel’s fate

MANKATO, Minnesota (FOX 9) – Jury deliberations continue Thursday morning in Adam Fravel’s trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Madeline Kingsbury.

What’s up?

Fravel faces charges of premeditated first-degree murder, first-degree murder with a history of domestic violence, premeditated second-degree murder and second-degree murder while committing a felony.

The jury in Mankato wrapped up a three-week trial and received the case just after 2 p.m. Wednesday. After hours of deliberation, the jury members were unable to reach a unanimous verdict by 9:30 p.m. and departed for the evening.

The jury was sequestered during the deliberation portion of the trial, which is scheduled to continue at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Background

Courtroom sketch of closing arguments in the Adam Fravels murder trial, dated November 6, 2024. (Credit: Cedric Hohnstadt)

Kingsbury was reported missing in March 2023, and investigators said Fravel was the last person to see her alive and lied about what she was doing the day she disappeared.

HE body found four months later in a culvert near Fravel’s family home in Fillmore County. Investigators said Kingsbury’s body was found wrapped in a sheet, which prosecutors say was used to strangle her.

hearing

Witnesses also took part in the hearing Kingsbury’s family and friendswhich testifies to Fravel’s efforts to control the relationship through physical violence and emotional manipulation.

Fravel chose not to testify during the trial.

During closing arguments, the prosecution told jurors that Fravel had the motive, means and opportunity to kill Maddi, his girlfriend of seven years and the mother of his two children.

Prosecutors argued Fravel was abusive and controlling and became jealous of Maddi after she told him she had started a new relationship.

But the defense argued that investigators had “tunnel vision” and focused solely on Fravel from the beginning, ignoring anything that didn’t fit that narrative.