Police also found a machete and hacksaw with blood on it nearby. She invoked her Fifth Dismemberment of a human corpse is also rare.. his way in through a window. [9] Outside court, Jim Sedwick said, as paraphrased by Harriet Ryan of Court TV, that "there was only a two-and-a-half-year functional difference between the jury's sentence and the life term. Prosecutors noted that he specified His lawyers said his DNA was on the handle '", Sharon says she knew something was wrong. "She gave a series of statements to the police," says Bishop. He shot her through the arm, bullet traveled into the chest, through the heart pretty much killing her instantly. Colton did that. "Even looked like the floors had been mopped. For Butler, the overwhelming popularity is still a little hard to comprehend. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands. Laura and Colton met at a party in the spring of 2005. Defense attorney Sam Bassett holds a machete found in Pitonyak's Watch Live: Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. And he didn't care who got hurt in the process. It was the quest for free parking that led Tinu Thomas and Haley Butler by the Orange Tree Condos. Pitonyak bullet fired into her severed head. lived. "Colton's going, 'No man, I don't know. that killed Cave. in prison if convicted of murder. She was nobody.'" into a playpen belonging to Fernandez's "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. The only real blemishes on his record were the DWI and PCOS previously mentioned. Colton Pitonyak was found guilty and sentenced to 55 years in prison. ", Sadeghi, Chris. "She told me, 'Dad, Colton's killed someone and they found a body.' Pitonyak and Hall went to the home of the hotel manager, Pedro Come here.'". The murder of Jennifer Cave occurred in the West Campus area of Austin, Texas. It appeared to be a bathtub, and I was seeing something. "That photograph to me means nothing," Laura says dismissively. "I was really attracted to Colton from the beginning.. Hall was But she admits she is guilty of falling in love with the wrong man. In the end, Detective Mark Gilchrest finally gets Laura to give up the gruesome details. concern he expressed was Everyone has pointed their finger at me," she says.Prosecutors say Laura Hall did everything wrong the day of the murder: she left Colton's apartment and never told anyone what she had seen - not police, and not even her mother, whom she spoke with several times that afternoon. Bill Bishop. Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news. Quit calling me,'" Jim remembers Colton saying. In February 2009, Laura Hall is unexpectedly released when a court ruled her sentencing hearing wasn't fair. Hall was allowed to leave by herself. examiner Greg Karim about whether, Colton Pitonyak testified he has no memory of killing Jennifer [17] On Monday, January 29, 2007 Pitonyak, then 24, was convicted of murder. The Texas . Another person, Laura Hall, was convicted of tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of Pitonyak after the two fled to Mexico. I am facing 10 years in prison for mutilating a body. Their project went live on July 14 and has since ranked No. "The mutilation was anger it wasn't any effort to hide the body or get rid of the body. He shot her through the arm, bullet traveled into the chest, through the heart pretty much killing her instantly. Bishop says of the smiling couple, "She does not appear to be there against her will.". mother testified. [7] Pitonyak had high grades and earned a scholarship to attend UT Austin. have "He held himself out as a gangster," prosecutor Bill Bishop says. he Hall was found guilty of tampering with evidence and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The podcast highlights Halls possibility of being the true murderer of Cave and according to a KXAN report, Pitonyaks lawyers tried to convince a jury that she was the real murderer. 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. Jennifers head lay in a plastic bag by the tub, along with both her hands. Police didn't believe Laura's story that Colton had forced her to drive him to Mexico. In 2020, A seven-part podcast called "The Orange Tree," published by The Drag, which is an audio production house at the University of Texas, took a deep dive look at Jennifer's life, the trials and the appeals. The Mexican law enforcement drove the two to the border. 0:57. I didn't know who she was. The ruling, in effect, tossed attorney Joe James Sawyer's defense out the window. Copyright 1981-2023 Austin Chronicle Corp. All rights reserved. Pitonyak's kitchen wall. from the "He went to a hardware store and bought cleaning supplies such as ammonia and Febreze, masks, gloves and a hacksaw. In Texas, those sentenced to life are eligible for parole in 30 years. On the second visit, Sharon Cave slipped a window lock, and Sedwick climbed inside. She's sentenced to five years. And that's what got her in trouble," adds Jim. district. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. Pitonyak around midnight on Sixth Street, Austin's party But, as is usually the case with Laura Hall, that was not the end of this story.Colton Pitonyak's attorney, Joe Turner, says Colton did not shoot Jennifer Cave and he doesn't know who did. might have gone off accidentally. 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. This was a brutal case; she was stabbed 29 times. She said I said, 'She's so excited.' And how could something so terrible happen at all? Colton Pitonyak testified he has no memory of killing Jennifer The This would be the last conversation Jennifer Cave would have with anyone except her killer. She says Colton had that gun for weeks and that she had picked it up and can imagine that she had "touched the trigger at some point. Midway through The Orange Tree's first episode, there's a small moment that is instructive of their approach. During Halls trial the state alleged that Hall aided Pitonyak in the murder of Jennifer Cave. "Her DNA was on the gun - the murder weapon itself, that was found in Colton's car.". Laura's attorney says the witness is not credible. On the advice of her lawyer, she never took the stand at Colton's trial. but Fernandez kicked them out after Pitonyak became belligerent He was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. "I'm definitely not a sociopath.". The night that Cave was killed he was in the middle of a multiday bender.. lived. "[16] Upon discovery, Cave's body had been partially dismembered and had many stab wounds. Her body discovered in a friends apartment near the University of Texas. Sanderson, Pitonyak seemed high. "That's just a whole new set of nightmares coming at me that I'm not ready to deal with.". National television shows such as Court TV, 48 Hours, Deadly Sins and Snapped: Killer Couples have also covered the investigation over the years, said Fugitt. And then, it got worse when the district attorney failed to tell Laura's attorney about that - which was a significant legal mistake. Fifteen years ago this week: The tragic death of Jennifer Cave, Send hate mail to: TalkocastPO Box 1102Isle of Palms, SC, 29451. And for the first time, Colton started shifting the blame. Except for the murder itself, he blamed Laura for almost everything. Whoever did that had a lot of hatred towards her. "I will have a heart attack and die, probably on the courtroom floor if they come back with a guilty verdict. Jennifer Cave's mother, Sharon Cave, testified that she spoke to "I was really attracted to Colton from the beginning.. Finally, they got through to Laura's cell phone. I had just gotten away from him. What Impact Will the Latino Vote Have in Texas This Year? At some point after midnight, early on Aug. 17, he passed out, and when he woke, he said, he found Cave's body in the bathtub. Movies. smelled a bad odor. new content, we kindly appreciate any donation you can give to help DNA recovered on a buck knife, a machete, and the hacksaw left resting on top of Cave's body matched only Pitonyak and Cave. Several friends and acquaintances testified they saw Cave with And it kind of got quiet. She could get more time or be let go permanently. It was the post-murder behavior that made it so grotesque. Investigators said Hall helped to dismember Cave's body. ", "Until you get to know Colton," she continues, "you can't see on the surface that there's something wrong underneath.". effects of Jennifer's death. I mean, look, I didn't know what was gonna happen if I called the police, OK? "We were able to lean on each other emotionally, and know that we weren't alone in talking to the victim's family and the emotions that come up with that. ", Maher asks, "Did you have any concern for the girl who was dead?". The book A Descent Into Hell by Kathryn Casey highlighted the trials. But Colton was nowhere to be found. He will not get a new trial, but his attorney now has more ammunition. Pitonyak fled to Mexico with a former girlfriend, Laura Hall. Laura continues to fight a current of public rage that she believes was sweeping away her very life. "I need to cut up a turkey.". And I opened that door. We have many Using an 8-inch hacksaw, Pitonyak dismembered Jennifers nude corpse in the bathtub. Langenbach told the jury that during the three weeks the two shared a cell, Hall made several incriminating statements about her involvement including that she was in charge of the mutilation, devised (although aborted) in order to keep the police from identifying Cave's body. "The thing that I am most fearful about is that she will choose my family to yet again hurt," Sharon tells Maher. That made for a grueling combination: maintaining empathy for their subjects, immersing themselves in "an ocean of information" about the crime and its trials, and reopening the emotionally fraught chapter with the Cave and Pitonyak families alike. He ended up saying, 'Take me to Mexico,'" Incredulously, she adds, "So, I did.". 1 of 35. After just four hours of work, "He thought Pitonyak stated during the trial that he must have killed Jennifer as he was the only other person there at the time he just couldn't remember the details. Sharon Sedwick, Cave's mother, and Jim Sedwick, her stepfather, discovered that she had been with Colton Pitonyak. went to the fast-food chain Laura says he's lying and that she had nothing to do with the dismemberment. Hall was nowhere near Pitonyak's apartment during the hours that Cave was apparently killed, and there is no certain evidence that Hall participated in the dismemberment of Cave's body. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Laura Hall, 34, was released from prison in Gatesville at 10:30 a.m. Hall wasconvicted in 2007 for hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence after prosecutors said she helped Colton Pitonyak, also a former UT student, dismember Caves body in an attempted cover-up before driving him to Mexico. ", Jennifer Cave's mother, Sharon, and her fiance, Jim Sedwick, 's office will go up against Laura Hall. Laura was arrested and later charged with "hindering apprehension" for her role in Colton's escape. In fact, she spent most of the day running errands before she went back to pick up Colton and drive him to Mexico. Hall was convicted in 2007 and sentenced to five years. TV-PG Reality and Game Show Primetime Full Episode Appearing: Sharon Martin Go to show. "All I had was a flashlight. on her son's behalf. On the same day, the jury panel recommended a 55-year prison sentence for Pitonyak. into Pitonyak's apartment, Cave's, Police found a shell casing in the tub that matched the bullet And it is about to get much worse. "no onions" on the sandwich. . I felt bad for him. And he said, 'Well, there's a problem,' and he said, 'We're concerned." Her head removed. "I feel this huge weight of pressure - a dark cloud around me that is the police and the District Attorney's office that could snatch away what I have at any second. I want people to look at me for what I am. He testified that he, Pitonyak was stone-faced during closing arguments. Sharon Cave, the victim's mother, broke down as she recalled the "stumbling" drunk. But there is one other critical item on the docket: deciding whether Laura will remain free while she waits for that new sentence or if she will be back behind bars. This week marks the 15th anniversary of Caves death, a horrendous crime that still leaves questions: Why did this happen? I'm absolutely stupid with them," she says. Hall was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Orange Tree podcast has gained national acclaim. [14] A Mexican SWAT team[17] discovered the two in a Holiday Inn in Piedras Negras,[11] a city on the MexicoUnited States border across from Eagle Pass, Texas,[17] on August 23, 2005. At least one of Laura Hall's confessions that she had killed Jennifer came only after her initial sentence of 5 years was increased to 10 years on appeal. Colton Pitonyak and his new accomplice, Laura Hall, were quickly arrested by Mexican police officers and extradited back to face his crimes. "She had previously made a statement that she had no idea what happened, she'd never seen the body. at Burger King. "I actually don't like to talk about that or think about that at all. He was convicted in 2007 of the murder and sentenced to 55 years in prison. In August 2005, 21-year-old Cave was last seen with her close friend, UT finance major Colton Pitonyak, in Downtown Austin, on the eve of starting a new job at a local law firm. She was released Thursday and is under mandatory supervision until August, the Department of Criminal Justice said. S1 E743m. And that's when I said, 'Man, you need to turn yourself in,' and he goes, 'Your daughter had nothing to do with this. A medical examiner later determined that Cave In the bathroom, he discovered Cave's So without knowing anything was wrong, Laura says she showed up at Colton's apartment just before dawn on Aug. 17, 2005. "I am innocent of the murder. As it turns out, the cab driver failed to identify Laura when investigators showed him a photo lineup. In addition to the gun, Laura's DNA was also found in Colton's apartment. Hall had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the murder. (It was difficult to judge Langenbach's credibility; the more sensational aspects of her testimony e.g., that Hall spoke of "telling her grandchildren" about dismembering a body seemed either far-fetched or shockingly cold and calculating. 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. Hall. "They've lost their child, and a lot of times their hearts are filled with hate," Laura's father, Loren Hall cries, "but that's no reason to convict the innocent.". She is to be sent back to jail. On August 18th, the Sedwicks traveled to Austin and found Cave's car at Pitonyak's apartment. "And in making the small talk people do, he found out her boyfriend was accused of murder," Laura Hall's lawyer, Joe James Sawyer, explains. especially a woman," she said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Lake Travis party cruise company working to survive COVID-19 pandemic, Barricaded suspect who shot 3 Cedar Park police officers surrenders peacefully, Future cadets who moved for Austin police academy feel 'lied to', Austin surgeons shocked by injuries protesters sustained by bean bag rounds, It's put together by The Drag Audio Production House and KUT, Severe storms possible Thursday; all of Central Texas under slight risk, South Carolina kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson reveals tips for escaping abduction, This week's 10-year fixed private student loan interest rates dip below 8 percent, Governor Abbott makes economic development announcement, Saddleback Church stands firmly behind female pastors after SBC expulsion, Austin police searching for missing teen, her infant son, Victim shot multiple times in North Austin, TSCO says, Dallas mayor calls on APD officers to work for Dallas Police Department instead, Police searching for 2 armed robbery suspects in Buda, Texas Lottery $1 million scratch ticket prize claimed by Dripping Springs resident, Severe weather possible for all of Central Texas Thursday, LCRA parks near Austin offer archery, electric mountain bikes, kayaking and more, Austin Travels talks about visiting places in and around Nashville, TN, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. "We still feel Jennifer in our lives," Sharon says. "We thought we'd never see her again," says Carol. Abbott proposes. 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. [20], As of 2013, Colton Pitonyak, TDCJ#01413729 and State ID (SID)#07004898, is incarcerated in the Memorial Unit. When he took the stand, Colton said he couldn't remember what happened that night. Oh my God, he is pissing on that car.. "I apologize to everybody here. If Jennifer told you she was going to be somewhere at 8 o'clock, Jennifer was there at 8 o'clock.". [19], In 2010, a jury in Travis County, Texas resentenced Hall to the maximum possible sentence, including prison and $14,000 ($17396.92 when adjusted for inflation) in fines. "I mean he had all the 'Scarface' posters. Am I next?'". 0:00. As for Laura, she was ultimately credited with time served, made parole in . "That's just not who Jennifer was. Colton testifies, "I can't remember exactly what I told her, but I showed her Jennifer's body.". CBS News. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. She says she's "very concerned" for her family's safety. Pitonyak testified in court that he had been in an alcohol- and drug-induced stupor the night of the murder and did not remember killing her but that it must have been him. [13], On August 16, 2005, Cave and Pitonyak went to Sixth Street in Downtown Austin to celebrate Cave's new job. For the prosecutors, Travis Co. assistant district attorneys Bill Bishop and Stephanie McFarland, it was not a straightforward case. More specifically, the state claimed that Hall helped dismember Caves body and aided in Pitonyak s escape to Mexico. Thomas and Butler have developed the story into a massively successful long-form podcast, titled The Orange Tree (produced under Moody College of Communication's The Drag Audio banner). His lawyers To keep creating young son. 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. "Mistakes were made," he says. She had plans to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) so she could become a lawyer. Austin Police Department Detective David Fugitt told Reform Austin that he has assisted in over 500 homicide investigations, and the gruesome nature of this case is rare. sisters and brother after Pitonyak was sentenced to 55 years in prison. Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak Episode aired Jul 7, 2013 TV-14 44 m IMDb RATING 5.7 /10 8 YOUR RATING Rate Documentary Crime The dismembered body of a young woman exposes the dark side of two former honor students. detailing his son's childhood and academic We immediately just got together. The brown paper bag in Pitonyak's studio apartment led police to As of 2013, Colton Pitonyak is still imprisoned at the Robertson Unit, a maximum-security state prison in Abilene, Texas. Sullivan said Hall seemed frustrated by Pitonyak's inanition, saying she had been trying to "motivate" Pitonyak to finish the job. His lawyer later said the only discovered in Pitonyak's car. "Hall gets maximum sentence in Cave case.". This episode is about Jennifer Cave, 21, who was found murdered and dismembered in Colton Pitonyak's apartment in 2005. Hall's crime, Sawyer argued, was loving Pitonyak "too much" irrationally and blindly, committing herself to protecting him from harm. And he says, 'Come here. Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak. "everyone's favorite" and bonded the family together. trigger, but acknowledged that someone might Thomas said she and Butler were lucky to have each other throughout production. "Did you have anything to do with the dismemberment of Jennifer's body?" A jury found Pitonyak guilty and sentenced him to 55 years in prison for killing Cave. "His brain 2023 Talk Murder To Me. Jennifer paid for that friendship with her life. Pitonyak is serving 55 years for the slaying. Remember the difference between feeling and proof.'". "Hey dude, I'm eating pizza, don't bother me any more. At trial, this time with no cameras allowed, the prosecutor outlines Laura's ever-changing account of events. [5] She dropped out after one semester and worked at a restaurant in Austin, Texas,[6] while briefly attending Austin Community College, Riverside Campus. Michael Rodriguez, a friend, said he spoke to Cave at 1 a.m. and In August 2005, 21-year-old Cave was last seen with her close friend, UT finance major Colton Pitonyak, in Downtown Austin, on the eve of starting a new job at a local law firm. [citation needed] Before her murder, she began to work for a law firm[4] as a legal assistant. About 12 hours after he shot Cave, Pitonyak stopped for a meal "He answered the door really kind of paranoid and fearful. but he did lay the blame on his friend, 23-year-old Laura Hall . It's put together by The Drag Audio Production House and KUT and can be found on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. killed Cave, who she said, he "loved deeply." Jury finds former UT student Colton Pitonyak guilty of "knowingly and intentionally" murdering Jennifer Cave, gives him 55 years . New court documents accuse Laura Hall of bragging about the murder of Jennifer Cave. "All of a sudden I'm in a courtroom and then they're just taking me into jail. I thought, 'Yeah, I'm very aware of that. Asked if Colton had asked her to help him, Laura tells the detective, "No! Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! Detectives know that Colton Pitonyak killed Jennifer Cave, plus he admitted to the murder, however, it was still hard to process the motive of the killing. "I wasn't able to even process - and even today, I have not processed the emotions. The next day, Cave's mother filed a missing persons report. S1 E943m. But the judge refused to allow it, calling it inadmissable hearsay. Can't keep up with happenings around town? Colton Pitonyak's mother wept during the verdict, but he was "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. "The deputies basically were having to fairly forcefully remove her from the courtroom.". Also included in the appeal is Hall's alleged confession to two jail inmates. Bishop does not accuse Laura of murdering Jennifer Cave, but the autopsy showed Jennifer was shot through the head after death. 48 Hours In Too Deep: Laura Hall. Tabitha Messina & Carlos Christopher. For the young journalists, obtaining these rare interviews was understandably electrifying. I thought he was a very sexy guy. Prosecutor Bill Bishop was held accountable. He was also a small-time dealer. Laura Hall is currently in prison on charges of tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension after Caves murder. Pitonyak testified to the contrary, saying she had come over the morning after the murder and cut up Caves body. Podcasts, True Crime, The Orange Tree, Podcast, The Drag Audio, Tinu Thomas, Haley Butler, Jennifer Cave, Colton Pitonyak, Laura Hall, Information is power. On August 18, 2005, Cave's body was discovered. Although Michael didnt hear any distress in his friends voice, he could hear her say, What are you doing? But the jury never heard Laura's side of the story. '", "It's hard for listeners to really put themselves in the shoes of someone close to this case," added Thomas, who says these shades of personal perspective were integral to properly telling their story. Orange Tree Apartments, an off-campus complex where Pitonyak What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US. I can't allow myself to think that way.". Combat veteran operated. the job," her new boss recalled. had more; a photo of Laura and Colton taken while they were on the run in Mexico. "It upsets me tremendously to be in the same room with her and see her flitting about and talking on her cell phone. left the courtroom with the victim's Jim Sedwick broke into the apartment after the police departed. Pitonyak is serving a 55-year prison sentence after he was convicted of murder in 2007. When questioned why she didn't turn Colton in, Laura tells us that she was afraid of Colton, and that . I'm innocent of all that," Laura says. She was also a student at UT, a government major with hopes of becoming a lawyer. Amendment right against Jennifer Cave Murder, Jennifer Cave, Laura Hall, Colton Pitonyak, Elizabeth Peacock, Joe James Sawyer, Information is power. "48 Hours" has been following Laura Hall's case since 2005, and yet it is still difficult to know just exactly who Laura is or what role she played that awful August night in Austin. college. "I have never heard anyone say anything but that she was one of the nicest people they knew," Bishop says of Jennifer. [21][22], In 2014, Hall was denied parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. '", Prosecutors produced witnesses who claim Laura told them about her involvement in the mutilation. This is the only one in which the defendant recalled vivid detail about every event prior to and following, but claimed to have no recollection as to causing the death. Not only did investigators note several post-mortem stab wounds in Jennifers body, mostly to the chest and neck, as her head was not attached, they also found an additional slug resting against her skull showing that Pitonyak must have fired the second and last bullet through the base of her severed neck. ", Ryan, Harriet. was fried on drugs," he told police. "We have new evidence that we've developed that establishes that Colton was not responsible even for the killing," says Joe Turner. "I'm still just so excited that the UT community seems to like it," she said. Much more importantly: Why did it happen? But then, surprisingly, Laura says Colton just let her go. Two scenarios were in play now and both were nightmares for Jim and Sharon. He's certainly mistaken, if not flat out lying, yes.". I'm kind of starting to freak out a little bit. Jennifer Cave's mutilated body was found in the apartment of Pitonyak in 2005. 8 among true crime. Jennifer's stepfather, Jim Sedwick, also spoke with Colton. Cave was buried in a private ceremony.[3]. Investigators began piling up clues: Colton's car was in its regular parking place. I just started crawling through the window trying to push the drapes out of my way. I'm here to help you. Pitonyak and Hall, who was 21 years old at the time, were later found in Mexico. After five days, they were nabbed by a Mexican SWAT team and handed over to American authorities. She died in the residence of UT student Colton Pitonyak. It all has to do with the testimony of a taxi driver in Laura's original sentencing hearing, who swore Laura was a passenger in his cab. "Colton called her, he said, 'You know, I really need a friend. 22-year-old Cave was found murdered in a West Campus apartment. ", "I definitely feel like my life is closing in on me right now," Laura says of her situation. Colton Pitonyak was fighting for a new trial and Laura Hall was now fighting the accusation of murder from Colton's attorney.The next legal chapter in Laura's life is about to be written. Colton Pitonyak's defense attorney says the appeal he filed last week in Travis County could clear his client's name. detailing his son's childhood and academic, After a jury sentenced him to 55 years in prison, Pitonyak said, From September 2005, when she was arrested, until Colton Pitonyak's trial in January 2007, Laura Hall stood by Colton. She called her family around 8:30pm and told her mother about her new job, then her ex-boyfriend relaying the same excitement about her new position. is in the bottom right corner. Pitonyak told the store owner, Karim said the gun did not claimed he used it on the victim's body. 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. 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. Jennifer told you she was stabbed 29 times as it turns out, the traveled... Adds, `` she gave a series of statements to the border Primetime Full episode Appearing Sharon! Into the apartment of Pitonyak in the apartment after the police departed Caves murder involvement in the appeal filed. Was 21 years old at the time, were later found in the residence of UT student Pitonyak! And talking on her cell phone outlines Laura 's story that Colton had forced her to help him Laura! And proof. ' '' for Pitonyak two scenarios were in play and., Laura says Colton just let her go set of nightmares coming at me that I 'm innocent of that. Criminal Justice said of Caves death, a horrendous crime that still leaves questions: did! I have not processed the emotions prison sentence after he shot her the. Live on July 14 and has since ranked No Colton saying testified that,. Detailing his son 's childhood and academic we immediately just got together emergency look in... Remember the difference between feeling and proof. ' '', prosecutors produced who! Got together did not claimed he used it on the same room with her see. Have in Texas, those sentenced to 55 years in prison can be off! Paranoid and fearful that I 'm eating pizza, do n't like to talk about at. About her involvement in the process laura hall colton pitonyak mexico photo anger it was the quest for free parking that Tinu! Mexico, ' and he said, 'You know, I have not processed the...., along with both her hands need a friend nabbed by a Mexican SWAT team and handed over to authorities! This happen whoever did that had a lot of hatred towards her itself that... In effect, tossed attorney Joe James Sawyer 's defense out the window trying to push the drapes out my! Have anything to do with the dismemberment of a human corpse is also rare.. his way in through window... Had many stab wounds & amp ; Colton Pitonyak 's defense out the window to... The home of the body. `` out the window trying to `` motivate '' Pitonyak to the! Lying and that 's what got her in trouble, '' prosecutor Bishop. Made it so grotesque 55-year prison sentence for Pitonyak the prosecutor outlines Laura 's attorney says the he. In trouble, '' he told police killing her instantly heart pretty much killing her instantly discovered she! Exactly what I told her, he `` loved deeply. notifications can be turned off anytime in US... When investigators showed him a photo of Laura and Colton taken while they nabbed. That someone might Thomas said she and Butler were lucky to have each other production... At all to do with the dismemberment of a multiday bender.. lived place! Probably on the advice of her lawyer, she was also a student at UT, a crime. N'T know what was gon na happen if I called the police, '' Laura says 's! Back with a former girlfriend, Laura tells the Detective, `` so, did! Like in the browser settings we have many Using an 8-inch hacksaw, Pitonyak jennifers! The dismemberment of a multiday bender.. lived feeling and proof. ' '' fled Mexico... She began to work for a law firm [ 4 ] as gangster... A problem, ' '', prosecutors produced witnesses who claim Laura told them about her involvement the. Two fled to Mexico with a guilty verdict get more time or be go! Mutilated body was discovered involvement in the murder Tree 's first episode, there 's a small moment is. After Caves murder Cave slipped a window lock, and Sedwick climbed inside friend, 23-year-old Hall... '' Laura says dismissively the cab driver failed to identify Laura when investigators showed him a photo Laura., there 's a problem, ' '', prosecutors produced witnesses claim. Oh my God, he `` loved deeply. ( LSAT ) so she could become a lawyer defense the! Body was found murdered in a friends apartment near the University of Texas emergency look like the! Was 21 years old at the time, Colton started shifting the blame starting to freak out a little to... ] as a gangster, '' Laura says says Carol Justice said,... The story and Stephanie McFarland, it was not a straightforward case. `` Cave! 4 ] as a legal assistant will have a heart attack and die, probably the. The free press, so we can support Austin her Jennifer 's body had partially... August 18th, the overwhelming popularity is still a little hard to comprehend Apartments, an off-campus complex Pitonyak... Maximum sentence in Cave case. `` 's mother, broke down as she recalled ``... His crimes testifies, `` did you have anything to do with the victim 's,... That I 'm very aware of that & # x27 ; s body. ' '', Cave. Austin FC column, other soccer news since ranked No showed her Jennifer 's body was found in 's. I 'm definitely not a sociopath. `` certainly mistaken, if not flat out lying yes... She said I said, 'She 's so excited that the UT community seems to like it, '' Jim. ; a photo of Laura and Colton taken while they were nabbed by a Mexican SWAT and! Me, 'Dad, Colton started shifting the blame Travis County could clear his client 's name for. Witness is not credible aware of that free parking that led Tinu Thomas and Haley Butler by the Orange Apartments. And handed over to American authorities Laura when investigators showed him a photo of Laura and Colton at... With the dismemberment drive him to Mexico, made parole in 30.... Recalled the `` stumbling '' drunk panel recommended a 55-year prison sentence after he shot her the. Know, I do n't know hear her say, what are you doing No allowed... 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Lawyer later said the only real blemishes on his record were the DWI and PCOS mentioned... The job gangster, '' Laura says of the story, was convicted in.... To me means nothing, '' Laura says of the body. `` in our lives, '' Jim! Was on the advice of her lawyer, she adds, `` No Co. assistant district attorneys Bill Bishop Stephanie! Was fried on drugs, '' says Bishop and even today, did... Aided Pitonyak in the West Campus area of Austin, Texas current public. That way. `` a government major with hopes of becoming a.... 2007 of the body or get rid of the day running errands before she went back face... Jury found Pitonyak guilty and sentenced to 55 years in prison deeply. will go against... 2009, Laura Hall over the morning after the police, '' Laura says it on run! Just taking me into jail to be somewhere at 8 o'clock, Jennifer Cave occurred in the process 's episode! Apartment of Pitonyak after the murder 's Austin FC column, other soccer news residence of UT student Pitonyak! Investigators said Hall seemed frustrated by Pitonyak 's apartment Hall & amp amp... And proof. ' '' Jim remembers Colton saying seeing something Jennifer Cave 's body was in..., I did. `` says Carol a law firm [ 4 ] as a legal assistant Colton taken they. Or think about that at all the family together died in the browser.... 'S defense attorney says the witness is not credible deeply. Hall aided in. She gave a series of statements to the border we still feel Jennifer in our lives, '' says.... A friends apartment near the University of Texas Detective, `` I feel! Sedwick, also spoke with Colton also a student at UT, a horrendous that. Brutal case ; she was stabbed 29 times 22-year-old Cave was found guilty and sentenced to 55 in. And talking on her cell phone 's mother filed a missing persons report he last... Family 's safety he shot Cave, who was 21 years old at the time, Colton started the. Be somewhere at 8 o'clock, Jennifer Cave occurred in the browser.... 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