The Houghton County 12th Circuit Court will reschedule Jacob Kempainen’s sentencing hearing due to weather conditions closing the courthouse. Originally scheduled for this morning, Jacob Kempainen will have his sentence hearing moved to a later date. Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer says he will advocate for a new date in the near future, but far enough out so family members can adjust travel plans.
Kempainen accepted a plea agreement in 2025 and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December for his involvement in the death of his grandfather, Alvin Kempainen, in 2023.
Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer shared with Keweenaw Report in December that he had grown frustrated with the pace at which Jacob’s and Margaret’s cases have moved.
Jacob’s mother, Margaret Kempainen’s case, was supposed to begin trial in January. Margaret’s attorney submitted motions to the Michigan Court of Appeals to review Judge Brittany Bulleit’s decision to deny suppressing statements made to investigators and to deny evidence within counseling sessions between Margaret’s daughter and a psychologist, thus delaying the court’s timeline.
No new date has been set in Margaret Kempainen’s case. Her appeal motion was not listed in the case call schedule for the Michigan Court of Appeals in April.
