GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has taken up the appeal of Jackson Vogel, a life‑sentence inmate convicted of murdering fellow inmate Laureano at the Green Bay Correctional Institution in August 2024. Vogel’s legal team argues that the trial court erred by allowing his comments about cannibalism to be presented to the jury.

Grounds for the appeal

Vogel’s brief, filed on Monday, contends that the admission of the cannibalism remarks was improper and that the trial court also failed to give proper instruction on provocation. The defense maintains that these errors tainted the verdict and that a retrial is required to ensure a fair proceeding under Wisconsin law.

State’s response

The State of Wisconsin, represented by the Office of the Attorney General, maintains that the evidence was admissible and that the jury’s verdict was based on a full and proper record. In its reply, the state argues that the cannibalism comments were relevant to the motive and intent behind the homicide.

Attorney statements

Vogel’s attorney, Joseph Riephenhoff, wrote, “The jury’s verdict was tainted by them having little other choice, given the facts and instructions presented. The circuit court was wrong on the law and the facts, which infects the verdict.” He added, “Vogel asks only for what he is guaranteed by our laws: a fair trial where only relevant evidence is presented and the jury is properly instructed on the law.”

Next steps

The appellate court has not set a hearing date, but officials say a ruling could take several months. In the meantime, Laureano’s family has filed a federal civil‑rights lawsuit alleging that corrections officials placed him in a cell with Vogel, exposing him to danger.

Both the criminal appeal and the civil‑rights suit will proceed independently. No new trial date has been scheduled for the murder case, and the parties continue to exchange pre‑trial briefs as the appellate process moves forward.

Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.