He's got my daughter," Loren Hall recalls thinking at the time. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. he does not remember shooting Cave, It was the post-murder behavior that made it so grotesque. In 2011, 48 Hours on CBS documented the murder and the aftermath as well as the trial, focusing on Laura Hall in a special called "48 Hours: In Too Deep". Hall was released from her 10 year sentence five months early in 2018 while Pitonyak will not be eligible for parole until 2033, according to the KXAN report. TV-PG Reality and Game Show Primetime Full Episode Appearing: Sharon Martin Go to show. "When I got the tattoo, I was so in love with him," she says. Both were drinking, and according to witness Jeffrey Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. So that is how Jennifer Cave ended up partying with Colton Pitonyak on that last night of her life. ", CBS News. This was a brutal case; she was stabbed 29 times. In 2007, a jury convicted Laura Hall, 34, for helping her boyfriend Colton Pitonyak dismember 21-year-old Cave's body in his apartment's bathtub at the Orange Tree condominiums in August of 2005. Her head removed. "I guess, to use my word, I would say you have to be, you have to have, a good case of evil.". Maher asks in disbelief. I'm here to help you. Ascension Seton breaks ground on new womens health tower in Austin, Cowboy Breakfast, BBQ Austin scheduled ahead of official start of Rodeo Austin, Timeline: Severe storms possible on Thursday, Forecast: Severe storms possible Thursday, 'The Orange Tree' | 2005 murder of Jennifer Cave the topic of successful UT podcast, Person involved in 2005 murder of Jennifer Cave released on parole. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. "There's no question the most volatile component in this case is that people are going to be repulsed by what happened to Jennifer Cave," Sawyer says. But the jury never heard Laura's side of the story. "You'll hear that Ms. Cave died as a result of a gunshot through the arm and the torso of her body," Bishop tells the court. In 2004, police found cocaine, prescription sleeping pills that he had unlawfully obtained, and anxiety medication in his apartment. but Fernandez kicked them out after Pitonyak became belligerent Prosecutors noted that he specified over to law enforcement S1 E843m. Another person, Laura Hall, was convicted of tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of Pitonyak after the two fled to Mexico. Sanderson, Pitonyak seemed high. She looks just like Jennifer Cave. I can't live in Austin. after serving half of his sentence. Sharon and Jim decided to head to Austin hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. Several friends and acquaintances testified they saw Cave with After Jennifers body was found, investigators began mapping out the crime scene, hoping to shed some light on how the murder actually happened. And I'm like, 'Were you with Jennifer?' Pitonyak's cell phone records reflect that he first contacted Hall via a text message just after 3:30am on Aug. 17 and again in a 13-minute phone call at 6am. Langenbach said Hall told her that she didn't understand "what the big fuss was about. . effects of Jennifer's death. [18] He will be eligible for parole once 50% of his sentence has been served, at which time he will be around 51 years old. Right away. Whereas some true-crime anthologies might barrel headlong toward the most gruesome, shocking detail, Thomas and Butler underline their reporting philosophy upfront. 0:00. She had been shot dead and then stabbed numerous times; her hands and head had been severed and wrapped in a garbage bag left beside the tub. In 2007, Laura Hall was convicted of helping her boyfriend Colton Pitonyak dismember 21-year-old Jennifer Cave's body in his apartment. Colton will remain in prison for most of his life after receiving 55 years. I just started crawling through the window trying to push the drapes out of my way. detailing his son's childhood and academic "There is no doubt that Colton Pitonyak was solely responsible for the murder of Jennifer Cave," said Fugitt. "The mutilation was anger it wasn't any effort to hide the body or get rid of the body. Laura agrees to talk to police, but initially holds back. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Just weeks ago, a new witness has come forward and swears that in 2005, Laura told him she was "going to get away with murder." But she admits she is guilty of falling in love with the wrong man. But Laura does admit to a problem with men. an accident. She invoked her Fifth Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! "48 Hours Mystery: In Too Deep", Jurors find college student guilty of killing and dismembering woman, sentence him to 55 years, Laura Hall asks for new review of convictions, "Woman sent to prison after gruesome West Campus murder released", "Person involved in 2005 murder of Jennifer Cave released on parole", "Laura Hall, involved in 2005 West Campus murder of Jennifer Cave, out of prison", Pitonyak Seeks New Trial in Jennifer Cave Murder Case, Appeals court denies Colton Pitonyak a new trial, Court review could be Pitonyaks last chance for new trial, "Woman sent to prison after gruesome West Campus murder to be released", "Appeal denied for Austin man in jail for 2005 murder", "Man Convicted Of 2005 West Campus Murder Fighting For New Trial", Former UT Student Sentenced To Prison For Gruesome Murder, My Fox Austin Timeline of Jennifer Cave Murder Trial, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Jennifer_Cave&oldid=1126519502, This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 20:05. Laura Hall is the only person who has shown this sort of vicious hatred for the last several years, said Joe Turner, Pitonyak's defense attorney. And that would be Laura Hall," Sawyer says. This year, two University of Texas students, Haley Butler and Tinu Thomas, have a long-form documentary podcast called The Orange Tree Podcast, in which they dig through court filings and host interviews with the families of Cave, Pitonyak and Hall. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US. It was the quest for free parking that led Tinu Thomas and Haley Butler by the Orange Tree Condos. Sharon Cave, the victim's mother, broke down as she recalled the After her death, she had been shot in the head once. Pitonyak is serving 55 years for the slaying. was fried on drugs," he told police. into Pitonyak's apartment, Cave's, Police found a shell casing in the tub that matched the bullet Asked who's the other possible suspect, he replies, "Well, there's other suspects and Laura Hall is as good as any. Investigators said Hall helped to dismember Cave's body. "I remember that night - when we were trying to figure out what we were gonna do and getting some clothes packed. It's been two years since 21-year-old Jennifer Cave was brutally murdered and dismembered inside the West Campus apartment of her friend Colton Pitonyak. "It's impossible for me to have been jealous of Jennifer Cave, because I not only didn't know her, but I didn't know she existed," Laura says. examiner Greg Karim about whether, Colton Pitonyak testified he has no memory of killing Jennifer I said, 'Thank you so much for giving her this opportunity.' Hall was found guilty of tampering with evidence and sentenced to 10 years in prison. After police said they did not have the legal grounds to break The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2015 denied the request. "I mean I still - I was in denial, OK.", Asked if it never occurred to her to call police, family or friends, Laura says, somewhat defensively, "It didn't seem like a good move. I'm innocent of all that," Laura says. plans and enthusiasm Check out a scene from Episode 7: Elizabeth Turpin & Karen Brown. The law firm that she interviewed with on August 16, 2005, was so impressed that they offered her a full-time position, starting the next morning. In Texas, those sentenced to life are eligible for parole in 30 years. He was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. he Prosecutors Jennifer Cave's hands and head were wrapped in white trash bags I can't go to jail," Laura tells Maher. And he didn't care who got hurt in the process. (Courtesy of Moody College of Communications), Recording the Day India and Pakistan Split in, The Paper Street Podcast Gives a Voice to the Indie Film Industry, Uncorking the Story to the True Crime/Comedy Podcast, New Speed-Dating App Developed in Austin Doesn't Want to Waste Your Time, I Live Here I Give Here: Amplify Austin Day. value meal "out of habit." Fifteen years ago this week: The tragic death of Jennifer Cave, Send hate mail to: TalkocastPO Box 1102Isle of Palms, SC, 29451. S1 E1043m. 291136. But according to Pitonyak's lawyer, once during a group therapy session in jail, Laura told other inmates she is in fact the killer. to Jennifer Cave's death as "an accident," prompting grumbles They weren't in Mexico for long. [13] On August 3, 2010, Hall was taken into the custody of the state prison system, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). It was great," she says smiling. Defies reason, said Fugitt. Pitonyak's friend Laura Hall is serving 10 years for tampering with evidence. "She told me, 'Dad, Colton's killed someone and they found a body.' Her hands removed. Got something to say? Bishop says of the smiling couple, "She does not appear to be there against her will.". "Laura Hall says she didn't have a plan on what to do next after getting to Mexico, and that she didn't know what Colton Pitonyak was planning. Next the group went to Cheers Shot Bar, where Jennifer and Colton were seen splitting away from the group and walking east on 6th Street. All rights reserved. district. Jury finds former UT student Colton Pitonyak guilty of "knowingly and intentionally" murdering Jennifer Cave, gives him 55 years . But that portrait of Hall, without her own testimony, was never fully fleshed out.). 2023 www.statesman.com. He testified that he Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 30 photos. "His brain "She's still a part of us.". This friend, which police believe was her drug supplier, was named Colton Pitonyak and although a top-marked student at the University of Texas, had some previous arrest for DWI and PCOS (possession of controlled substances.). "With all due respect, which one is it? killed Cave, who she said, he "loved deeply." "Did I drive him across the border? He said, 'Jennifer didn't come to work today.' A medical examiner later determined that Cave That afternoon, he went to a hardware store and purchased a hacksaw, garbage bags, cleaning products, and rubber gloves; around the same time, Hall drove her green Cadillac to a gas station, where she filled the tank and washed the car. ", And he couldn't he explain the shooting. It was fired by The only real blemishes on his record were the DWI and PCOS previously mentioned. The next day, Cave's mother filed a missing persons report. Pitonyak is not eligible for parole until 2033. The ruling, in effect, tossed attorney Joe James Sawyer's defense out the window. "I didn't try and help him cover it up at all," she says on the tape. It appeared to be a bathtub, and I was seeing something. The relatively light sentence, after an emotional appeal from Hall's father, suggests that the delay in reaching a verdict reflected some division in the jurors' judgment of Hall's culpability. "I actually don't like to talk about that or think about that at all. faces a possible life sentence. The case packed the courtroom and drew breathless media coverage although this time, unlike Pitonyak's Court TV melodrama, Judge Wilford Flowers excluded the TV cameras. Sanderson, Pitonyak seemed high. Panicked, he called Hall. Mr. So after they left, Jim muscled his way in through a window. 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