Jackson Vogel appears in Brown County court, May 21, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jackson Vogel, the inmate who allegedly killed his Green Bay Correctional Institution cellmate, was allowed to withdraw his so-called insanity plea Wednesday. His trial is scheduled to start June 2.
Vogel, 25, faces one count of first-degree intentional homicide for the Aug. 27 death of Micah Laureano at the prison in Allouez. The charges include hate crime enhancers, as Vogel allegedly targeted Laureano due to his race and sexual preference. Vogel told police he choked Laureano.
Vogel had pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. However, his attorney filed a motion last month, seeking to withdraw that plea.
On Wednesday, Judge Donald Zuidmulder accepted the change. That means the jury will only decide if Vogel is guilty, and will not need to address any mental health issues.
A four-day trial is planned. A double-panel of prospective jurors – about 90 people – will be called for the case.
Laureano had 18 months left on a three-year sentence for crimes in Waukesha and Columbia counties that include robbery use of force, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and substantial battery. Vogel is serving a 20-year sentence for trying to kill his mother in Two Rivers when he was 16.
In a separate legal action, Laureano’s mother, Phyllis Laureano, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit which named GBCI Warden Christopher Stevens and Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy as defendants. The suit claims prison officials were negligent in their duties when placing Laureano in a cell with Vogel. The state has not responded to the suit, and no hearings have been scheduled.
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