The Minnesota Supreme Court is preparing to hear in-person arguments in the appeal of Adam Fravel, who was convicted in 2024 for the murder of Madeline Kingsbury. The hearing is scheduled to take place on January 8, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in St. Paul. This marks a significant next step in a case that has drawn statewide attention, as both sides prepare to revisit the events and legal decisions that led to Fravel’s life sentence.
Fravel’s attorney, Greg Scanlan, maintains that his client did not receive a fair trial and argues that several errors made during the proceedings may have influenced the jury’s verdict. According to Scanlan, the district court improperly allowed hearsay statements during the trial—statements made outside the courtroom that were later admitted as evidence. He further argues that some expert testimony presented during the trial was given without the full context needed for the jury to properly evaluate it. Scanlan believes these issues were serious enough to affect the outcome and therefore justify a review by the state’s highest court.
The case centers around the disappearance and death of Madeline Kingsbury, a mother of two from Winona who went missing in March 2023. Her disappearance prompted a large community search effort that lasted months and involved volunteers, law enforcement agencies, and numerous local organizations. In June 2023, her body was discovered in a rural area. The discovery brought an emotional end to the search and shifted focus toward the investigation and eventual prosecution of Fravel, who was her former domestic partner.
During the trial in Blue Earth County, prosecutors argued that Fravel acted with premeditation and intent, presenting what they said was a strong body of evidence linking him to Kingsbury’s death. The jury ultimately agreed, and in 2024 Fravel was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison. The verdict was seen by many as a resolution to a deeply emotional case, although the defense has continued to challenge the fairness of the proceedings.
In response to the appeal, Phillip Prokopowicz, a special assistant to the Winona County Attorney who helped prosecute the case, defended the trial’s outcome. He stated that the state had presented more than enough evidence to prove that Fravel intentionally caused Kingsbury’s death. Prokopowicz rejected the defense’s claims regarding errors in the court process and argued that the conviction was well supported by the facts and testimony presented during the trial.
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing will not involve a new trial or new evidence but will instead focus on whether the legal procedures followed during the original trial met the standards required under Minnesota law. Courts of this level typically examine whether the lower court correctly applied legal rules, whether any errors occurred, and if so, whether those errors were serious enough to potentially influence the verdict. The justices will listen to arguments from both sides before making a ruling at a later date.
The appeal has renewed public attention on the case, especially from those who followed the investigation and trial closely. For Kingsbury’s family, supporters, and the Winona community, the case remains a painful reminder of a tragic loss. For Fravel’s defense team, the appeal represents what they believe is an opportunity to challenge the fairness of the trial process. The Supreme Court’s eventual decision will determine whether the conviction stands or whether further legal steps will be required.
As the January 2026 court date approaches, both sides continue to prepare for what is likely to be a detailed and closely watched legal argument. The outcome will play a major role in determining the final chapter of this high-profile case, which has touched many people across Minnesota.
