The Houghton County 12th Circuit Court will schedule trial dates for Margaret and Jacob Kempainen for down the road.
On Monday a pre-trial hearing was held in the 12th Circuit court for Margaret and Jacob Kempainen. The mother and son were arrested in December 2023 in connection to the murder of Alan Kempainen in his Hancock Township home.
Houghton County prosecutor Dan Helmer said that in court time, Margaret Kempainen had run out of the opportunity to accept a plea deal. Her trial will begin in November this year. The court will make an effort to pull from a large jury pool, as Margaret’s trial will begin around the same time as opening day for deer rifle season.
The court hopes to complete a speedy trial over five days in both cases. The court will hold time for a sixth day just in case the trial takes longer than expected.
Jacob Kempainen’s trial date will be set for January 2026. Prosecutor Helmer shared that Jacob will need to consider a pea deal offer still available.
I would note that, unlike the co-defendant in this case, I have not completely foreclosed the possibility of plea negotiations. I would state, we are however, at the end of that road for Mr. Kempainen. Mr Kempainen will need to make that decision, and defense council and I have had that discussion. – Dan Helmer, County Prosecutor, Houghton County
Jacob Kempainen’s trial date will be set for January 2026. Prosecutor Helmer shared that Jacob will have another week to consider a pea deal offer. Both defendants face charges of homicide. Jacob Kempainen also faces a felony firearms charge.
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