Lawyers will present closing arguments at Adam Fravel’s trial on Wednesday. Charged with murder of Madeline Kingsburyhis former partner and the mother of his children.

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

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.

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. .

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.

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

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.

After closing arguments are completed, the judge will give his instructions to the jury and send them to deliberate.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Joe Mazan is at the courthouse in Mankato for closing arguments. Check back as we work to bring you the latest updates.