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Judge Vacates 30-Year Murder Conviction Due to Withheld Evidence

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

District Court Judge Daniel Narum vacated Werner Wolfgang Kunkel's 30-year-old murder conviction due to withheld evidence suggesting Fassett was alive after Kunkel was jailed.
Narum ruled on February 27 that crucial documents, including witness statements and a military order showing Fassett alive after the murder window, were provided only in January 2023.
Kunkel's attorney argued the withheld evidence would likely have changed the trial's outcome.

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Story summary

District Court Judge Daniel Narum vacated Werner Wolfgang Kunkel's 30-year-old murder conviction due to withheld evidence suggesting Fassett was alive after Kunkel was jailed.
Narum ruled on February 27 that crucial documents, including witness statements and a military order showing Fassett alive after the murder window, were provided only in January 2023.
Kunkel's attorney argued the withheld evidence would likely have changed the trial's outcome.