Slain Mazomanie man’s stepmother to stand trial

Laura Robar accused of abusing stepson's disability support funds

MADISON, Wis. — A trial date has been set for the stepmother of a Mazomanie man who prosecutors say was killed by his half-brother.

Laura Robar is accused of hiding a corpse in addition to identity theft. Prosecutors said Robar abused Matthew Graville’s disability support funds.

Robar stood silent in Dane County Circuit Court on Wednesday, and a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. A trial date was set for February.

The body of Graville, who had Asperger’s syndrome, was found in a shallow grave last month.

Authorities allege that Graville’s half-brother, Jeffery Vogelsberg, tortured and killed Graville, freezing his body and burying it near Mazomanie in July.

Graville’s body lay under the earth for four months before detectives finally discovered it last month, revealing what investigators said was a horrific case of abuse.

Vogelsberg is still awaiting extradition from Washington state on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse.

Prosecutors have also charged Vogelsberg’s landlord, Robert McCumber, with helping bury Graville’s body.