Judge Considers Change of Venue Request in Maddy Kingsbury Case

Winona, MN (KROC-AM New) - A Winona County judge has taken under advisement a request to move a high profile trial to another county.

The judge heard arguments today concerning the request from the defense attorney for 30-year-old Adam Fravel. He is facing first and second-degree murder charges connected to the death of 27-year-old Madeline Kingsbury last year.

His attorney contends the number of news reports and social media discussions about the case would make it difficult for his client to receive a fair trial in Winona. The evidence supporting that claim included the results of the survey that found the majority of the respondents had knowledge of the case and felt Fravel was responsible for the young woman's death.

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Kingsbury's disappearance on March 31st of last year and the subsequent search for the missing Winona woman attracted national and international media attention. Fravel and Kingsbury lived together in Winona and had two children. He told investigators they had dropped the children off at daycare that morning and returned to the residence before he left for several hours to run errands.

Thousands of people participated in search efforts for Kingsbury before her body was discovered in June along an unmaintained gravel road near Mabel, where Fravel's parents have a home. Fravel was arrested at the residence the same day and was charged with Madeline's murder.

A ruling on the change of venue request is not expected until sometime this summer.

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