Opening statements took place today in the trial of 30-year-old Adam Fravel, who is accused of murdering Madeline Kingsbury last year in Winona County.

Thursday morning, the prosecution argued that Fravel murdered Kingsbury last year, and then wrapped her body in a bedsheet, hiding her body on a property in Fillmore County.

The state described Kingsbury as “a good friend to many” and said her seven-year relationship with Fravel started to take a turn after the birth of their first child. 

RELATED: Loved ones celebrate Madeline Kingsbury’s life during memorial service in Winona

State prosecutor Phillip Prokopowicz highlighted an incident in 2020 when a friend witnessed Fravel hit Kingsbury over FaceTime. Later, while watching a documentary about Gabby Petito, Prokopowicz said Fravel put his hands around Kingsbury’s neck, saying, “You don’t want to end up like Petito.”

Fravel’s defense team fired back, saying their relationship had normal ups and downs. Defense attorney Zachary Bauer argued Fravel knew and agreed to separate with Kingsbury after learning about her new relationship. Bauer told the jury that the Petito incident “was a horrible joke that he immediately regretted.”

RELATED: Warrants reveal more about investigation into Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Fravel’s attorneys are calling this a case of “tunnel vision” with law enforcement.

“They were solely focused on one individual for 58 days,” Bauer told the jury. “Evidence was ignored. … Facts that support Mr. Fravel’s innocence were ignored.”

The defense also talked about so-called “secret truths” with Kingsbury, saying she misled even her best friends about her relationships.

The state then reminded the jury that Kingsbury will not be testifying because she’s not here.

“You’ll hear the story of her life, her happiness, sadness, relationships, struggles, and her tragic death,” Prokopowicz said.

The jury also heard from the first witnesses in the trial.

Soon after Kingsbury went missing in Winona, police started asking questions. Part of that investigation was highlighted during Thursday’s testimony.

Winona Police Officer Ethan Sense took the stand first, and he is seen on bodycam video talking with Fravel on the phone.

“Nobody else has heard from her at all?” Fravel asked Sense. “I don’t know if I should be worried or what.”

In court we also saw the long thread of texts Fravel sent Kingsbury after she went missing including, “You get a ride or something” and “Any plan for supper.” All of those texts went unanswered.

Fravel, who is charged with both first- and second-degree murder, faces a life sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.

Winona County District Judge Nancy Buytendorp agreed to move the trial to Blue Earth County due to the extensive pretrial publicity in the Winona area. Even with the move, jury selection took a week and a half before both sides found 12 jurors and five alternates, who were seated Thursday at 9 a.m.

The trial resumes Friday morning.