Minnesota Supreme Court Grants New Trial in Murder Case
The court ruled that erroneous jury instructions in a 2024 trial require a new proceeding for Michael LaFlex.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Criminal Justice
On September 23, 2026, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to grant a new trial for Michael LaFlex, who was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder in 2024. The court found that the trial judge provided incorrect instructions regarding lesser-included offenses.
Why it matters
The decision establishes that the original jury instructions constituted plain error by limiting the jury's consideration of alternative manslaughter charges. This ruling ensures that legal proceedings meet strict standards regarding how jurors weigh different degrees of homicide.
Michael LaFlex is currently held in Crow Wing County Jail on a $2,000,000 bond. He is scheduled for a court appearance on January 7, 2027, to prepare for the retrial.
The players
Michael LaFlex
He is the defendant currently awaiting a new trial for a first-degree murder conviction.
Minnesota Supreme Court
This is the state's highest judicial body which reviews lower court decisions for errors in law or procedure.
Crow Wing County District Court
This local judicial body manages the legal proceedings and trials occurring within Crow Wing County.
The details
The Minnesota Supreme Court determined that the district court erroneously instructed jurors not to consider first-degree heat-of-passion manslaughter if they found LaFlex guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors and the defense are now preparing for a retrial that will require additional time for jury selection.
Timeline
Bryce Brogle was killed at a storage unit on October 26, 2022.
A jury found Michael LaFlex guilty of first-degree murder in 2024.
The Minnesota Supreme Court issued its opinion granting a new trial on September 23, 2026.
LaFlex attended a hearing via Zoom on October 29, 2026.
LaFlex is due back in Crow Wing County District Court on January 7, 2027.
Legal Context
This decision clarifies the procedural requirements for Minnesota's jury instruction requirements for lesser-included offenses. The ruling updates the application of these standards by strictly defining the order in which juries must consider homicide charges.
The upcoming retrial will necessitate additional time for jury selection, which may impact court scheduling in the local area. Residents should anticipate future proceedings at the Crow Wing County District Court as the case returns to the trial stage.
The takeaway
This case highlights the critical importance of precise jury instructions in serious criminal trials. A failure to follow standardized procedures for considering lesser offenses can lead to significant delays and the necessity for entirely new judicial proceedings.
What happens next
Michael LaFlex is scheduled to appear in the Crow Wing County District Court on January 7, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on legal precedents in the state, visit Criminal Justice.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brainerd Dispatch.
