The jury in the Adam Fravel murder trial could not reach a verdict on the first day of deliberations.

Lawyers presented closing arguments at Adam Fravel’s trial Wednesday. Charged with murder of Madeline Kingsburyhis former partner and the mother of his children. The case is now in the hands of the jury.

After approximately 7 hours of negotiation, they ended the night at 21.30, the time determined by the case judge. With two hours left in the night, the jury had several questions for the judge, including seeking clarification on premeditation and whether Fravel could be found guilty on all charges, which he could do.

The jury is in isolation, meaning they are staying in a hotel with no access to the media and cannot communicate with anyone. They will begin negotiations at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

fravel charged with first and second degree murder at Kingsbury’s death last year. He faces life in prison if convicted of the more serious charge.

As previously reported, Kingsbury first disappeared from her home on March 31, 2023. A massive search effort soon accelerated across southeastern Minnesota, and Kingsbury’s body was found taped to a sheet near a country road in Fillmore County in June 2023. .

Prosecutors built a case that painted Fravel as an abusive partner who said Kingsbury ended up similar to social media influencer Gabby Petito, who was strangled to death by her boyfriend.

In closing arguments Wednesday, the prosecution said Fravel had the intent, opportunity and means to kill Kingsbury.

Prosecutor Phillip Prokopowicz noted the couple’s separation and Kingsbury’s decision to start dating an old friend. She said Fravel was “emotionally and financially dependent” on Kingsbury, was jealous of her new relationship, and “would never let another man raise her children.”

The defense, meanwhile, has sought to downplay allegations of abuse and cast doubt on the investigation into Kingsbury’s death and the search for his remains.

On Wednesday, Fravel’s attorneys argued that law enforcement had “tunnel vision” targeting Fravel during the case and that “the case was thrown out rather than investigated when the facts did not fit their case.”

Defense attorney Zachary Bauer denied the prosecution’s narrative that Fravel and Kingsbury had separated and even suggested that the two discussed having more children together and getting married.

Closing arguments ended around 1:30 p.m. Jurors received their instructions and were given until 9:30 to deliberate. Since no decision was reached, they will meet again on Thursday.

Winona County District Judge Nancy Buytendorp agreed to move the hearing to Blue Earth County Due to extensive pre-trial publicity in the Winona area. Despite the move, jury selection took a week and a half until both sides reached their decision. 12 jurors and five alternates. Both sides delivered their opening statements on October 17.

According to sister station KAAL, prosecutors 68 witnesses took the stand over two weeksThey included Kingsbury’s parents, law enforcement investigators and forensic scientists.

Fravel’s defense team called five witnesses, including two law enforcement officers, Fravel’s brother and neighbors of the couple’s home in Winona, and Fravel’s parents in Mabel. Fravel did not testify in his own defense.

The defense rested its case Friday and the court took a two-day recess starting this week to adjust for Election Day voting.