Wisconsin Urged Court to Deny Vogel Appeal
State prosecutors filed a brief opposing a new trial for a convicted murderer.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Wisconsin officials filed a formal brief urging the court to reject Jackson Vogel's appeal for a new trial. Vogel is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Micah Laureano.
Why it matters
The case raises questions regarding the admissibility of testimony in homicide prosecutions. The state maintains that comments about cannibalism were relevant to the trial and that the original verdict remains sound.
The state filed a formal brief opposing the appeal following the August 27, 2024, homicide at the Green Bay Correctional Institution. A decision on the appeal is expected in several months.
The players
Jackson Vogel
He is an inmate currently serving a life prison sentence without the possibility of parole.
Micah Laureano
He was the victim of a homicide that occurred at the Green Bay Correctional Institution.
The details
Vogel is appealing his conviction, arguing that comments he made about cannibalism should not have been admitted as evidence during his trial. The state argues these statements were relevant to the first-degree intentional homicide prosecution and that the court properly excluded an adequate provocation instruction.
Timeline
August 27, 2024: Micah Laureano was murdered by Jackson Vogel at the Green Bay Correctional Institution.
October 31, 2026: Deadline for the filing of the reply brief from Jackson Vogel.
Legal Context
This appeal centers on the application of the first-degree intentional homicide prosecution standards in Wisconsin. It highlights the ongoing balance between admitting evidence of a defendant's character and ensuring a fair jury instruction process.
The family of Micah Laureano has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against Wisconsin corrections officials following the incident. This legal action and the current appeal highlight ongoing concerns regarding safety and accountability within state facilities.
The takeaway
The court's upcoming decision will determine if the inclusion of specific testimony constitutes grounds for a retrial. Legal experts continue to monitor how similar evidence is treated in high-stakes criminal appeals.
What happens next
Vogel's reply brief is due by October 31, 2026, with a court decision on the appeal anticipated in the following months.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's legal proceedings in the Criminal Justice section.
