Preliminary Exam in Kempainen Murder Case Postponed

A preliminary hearing in the Kempainen murder trial has been postponed. No new date has been set in the case. Margaret and Jacob Kempainen of Hartland, Wisconsin were scheduled for a joint preliminary hearing last Friday. Jacob Kempainen’s defense attorney David Gemignani was unable to attend the hearing due to an illness, requiring a new court date. The mother and son are accused of conspiring to murder Alvin Kempainen of Hancock Township. Alvin was Jacob’s grandfather and Margaret’s father-in-law. Alvin was found dead inside his home in late December of a gunshot wound. Police used collaborative multi-state efforts to locate the pair in Iowa on December 19th when they were arrested. Both face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, Jacob faces an additional felony firearms charge. During police interviews, Margaret identified Jacob as the one to shoot Alvin Kempainen. If found guilty Both face life in prison.