Gazette file photo Prosecutor Dan Helmer (left), Defense Attorney David Gemignani (center), and Jacob Kempainen appeared in Houghton County Circuit last. year. Kempainen was sentenced Monday for his role in the 2023 death of his grandfather Alvin Kempainen.

HOUGHTON — On Monday, 12th Circuit Court Judge Brittany Bulleit sentenced 23-year old Jacob Kempainen to 15 to 50 years for second degree homicide. The Heartland, Wisconsin man was arrested in December 2023 for the murder of his grandfather, Alvin Kempainen, in his Hancock Township home. Initially charged with open murder, Kempainen he pleaded guilty last December to the lesser charge.

The sentencing hearing included statements from both the prosecution and defense, with Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer, requesting to have family members read impact statements to the court before the sentencing. Bulleit granted the request.

Several family members, including Kempainen’s cousins and immediate family, read statements. They addressed the court and the defendant directly, with most asking for the maximum sentence allowed by the law. Two immediate family members also read statements emphasizing the role the Kempainen’s mother, 53 year-old Margaret Kempainen played in the murder.

After a brief recess, Kempainen’s attorney, David Gemignani, gave a closing statement which lasted more than 30 minutes.

Gemignani said the defendant’s sister and mother were responsible for the manipulation which led to a shared psychosis. He also added forensic evaluation conducted on March 9 concluded Kempainen was at a low risk for re-offense. He asked Bulleit for a shorter minimum sentence, but said he is not minimizing the impact of both the crime committed or the statements read by family members.

Bulleit asked if Kempainen wanted to say anything to the court or to the victim’s family. The defendant was visibly distraught and kept repeating apologies to those who read impact statements.

The prosecution had no further arguments and Bulleit handed down the sentence of a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 50 years, with credited 837 days already served. She told Kempainen the circumstances surrounding the murder did not excuse the crime committed.

Margaret Kempainen, was arrested with her son in Clear Lake, Iowa and is charged with homicide.

Her attorney, Anthony Ruiz, filed a motion with the Michigan Court of Appeals to appeal Bulleit’s November 2025 decision, denying two motions to suppress client statements made in 2023. No trial continuation date of her trial has been set. She remains lodged in the Houghton County Jail.