ADAM FRAVEL MURDER TRIAL: Closing arguments made Wednesday

MANKATO, Minn. (KTTC) – The Adam Fravel murder trial looks to be reaching a conclusion soon, as Wednesday would see closing arguments be made by the defense and the state.

Prosecutor Phil Prokopowicz took the stand to lead things off Wednesday for the state. Prokopowicz started off by reminding the jury of the meaning of "proof beyond a reasonable doubt," and it considers both direct and circumstantial evidence.

Prokopowicz also stressed that after considering all the evidence presented over the course of the trial, that Adam Fravel is guilty of all the crimes he has been charged with. He reminded the jury of how Madeline Kingsbury disappeared on the morning of Mar. 31, 2023, and would not be seen for weeks. He reminded the jury of the course of the investigation that ultimately led to the discovery of Kingsbury's body in Jun. of 2023.

Prokopowicz also wanted the jury to consider if Fravel had the motive, the opportunity and the means to kill Kingsbury. He says the motive for Fravel to kill Kingsbury lies in the relationship between the two, and that it was never about "them" but more about "him." He reminded the jury about Kingsbury's friend Michaela Shaw's testimony, and how she said that Fravel would often call Kingsbury derogatory terms, dating all the way back to their college days.

Prokopowicz would revisit testimonies that detailed the frustrations Kingsbury had with Fravel after the birth of the pair's first child, and how he would never take any responsibility around the house. He would also go over more testimonies from Kingsbury's friends that detailed physical abuse she suffered from the hands of Fravel.

Prokopowicz also went over the ties between this case and the Gabby Petito case. Prokopowicz went over testimonies that said Fravel pushed Kingsbury and told her if she didn't "mind" that she would end up like Petito.

However, Prokopowicz said that the biggest piece of evidence that showed how Fravel and Kingsbury's relationship was, was a text conversation between the two where Kingsbury didn't believe she still had feelings for Fravel and apologized "for her indecisiveness." The two talked about potentially going through therapy, but Kingsbury reiterated she didn't know if it would change anything. Fravel would eventually start sending Kingsbury many pictures of the two together, some dating back to before either of their children were born. Many pictures were with the children. Fravel claimed he was going to delete the pictures, and that he was giving her a chance to save them.

Prokopowicz brought up how despite Kingsbury telling Fravel to stop, and that she knew what he was trying to do, he continued to send more pictures.

Prokopowicz went on to revisit Kingsbury's relationship with Spencer Sullivan, and how he was a main cause of Kingsbury breaking it off with Fravel. Prokopowicz said how it was one thing "Fravel could not control."

Prokopowicz would add that Kingsbury officially ended it with Fravel in Mar. 2023, within the same month she would go missing. Prokopowicz detailed how Fravel was irate about the possibility of another man raising his kids, and that he would constantly hover around Kingsbury around the house in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Finally, Prokopowicz said how Kingsbury and Fravel dropped off their children at daycare before returning back to their residence on Mar. 31. Prokopowicz said how Kingsbury never responded to a text message from her sister that same morning, which was unusual. This text was sent to Kingsbury minutes after her and Fravel arrived back at their residence.

Prokopowicz said that evidence suggests Kingsbury did not leave her residence alive, meaning someone else in the residence took her life. Prokopowicz said that the only other person that would have been there, was Fravel.

Prokopowicz, again, would claim that there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Fravel was responsible for the death of Kingsbury, and that he had this planned out. Prokopowicz said "he knew what he was going to do that morning."

Following Prokopowicz's argument, the defense attorney, Zach Bauer, will give his closing argument.