a 9 mm handgun that was later And then, it got worse when the district attorney failed to tell Laura's attorney about that - which was a significant legal mistake. college. The day before her death, however, she had Those things just really upset me," Sharon says. "There is no doubt that Colton Pitonyak was solely responsible for the murder of Jennifer Cave," said Fugitt. The answer in the presence of that jury, quote, 'Some Bitch.' There is no soul.". "Really? to Jennifer Cave's death as "an accident," prompting grumbles The murder of Jennifer Cave occurred in the West Campus area of Austin, Texas. "The kitchen I think was the oddest room to me because it was sparkling clean," Bishop tells Maher. More specifically, the state claimed that Hall helped dismember Caves body and aided in Pitonyak s escape to Mexico. Hall had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the murder. But Jennifer's parents feel they must bear witness. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. with the verdict," Cave said. effects of Jennifer's death. need your help for this. When questioned why she didn't turn Colton in, Laura tells us that she was afraid of Colton, and that . Eddie Pitonyak, the defendant's father, read a statement time Jennifer Cave is believed to have been killed. In Hall's trial, prosecutors were left to develop a portrait of intent mainly through conversations the 24-year-old Hall allegedly had with others in the months following the murder. The Texas . Laura agrees to talk to police, but initially holds back. But the jury never heard Laura's side of the story. "It was just too soon. 'That's a mannequin.' University of Texas student Colton Pitonyak, a one-time National She invoked her Fifth, Colton Pitonyak's mother wept during the verdict, but he was ", Early on, they were excited to gain access to any source, and breakthroughs came at unexpected moments (Thomas was in class when Colton's father, Eddie Pitonyak, said he was willing to speak with them). It was just playing with it, like it was toy," Bishop tells "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Maureen Maher. Hall was charged with tampering with evidence and helping Pitonyak flee the country. shot her accidentally. night of drinking and drug use, but admitted he believes he may Loren says. Hall did not testify during her trial, but her attorney, Joe James Sawyer, painted a completely different picture for the jury. The next afternoon, Jennifer's mother, Sharon Cave, got a phone call in Corpus Christi from Jennifer's new employer, who told her Jennifer had never arrived at work that morning. S1 E1043m. For Thomas (a former Chronicle intern) and Butler, the interest in exploring a notorious chapter of campus lore was born of a curiosity for the story beyond the grisly details of the crime, or the sensationalized on-the-run narrative that characterized the subsequent trials and convictions of Pitonyak and Hall. She had been shot, stabbed and her body had been partially dismembered. "I'm definitely not a sociopath.". Pitonyak was convicted of murder after fleeing to Mexico with his friend Laura Hall. As of 2013, Colton Pitonyak is still imprisoned at the Robertson Unit, a maximum-security state prison in Abilene, Texas. This was Colton's mess.". A Travis County jury convicted Hall of hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence in connection with Cave's murder. Police urgently needed to know everything about Colton and Jennifer. "Colton flipped out," Laura explains. The events are so hard to believe. 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". 2023 Talk Murder To Me. I just started crawling through the window trying to push the drapes out of my way. She said, 'After all, [Cave] was nothing. Pitonyak, a former honor student, had been on a downward spiral of dealing drugs and abusing drugs and alcohol. Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak Details Investigating the 2005 murder and dismemberment of a young woman. I mean, when you look at Laura, there is nothing there - at all. Prosecutors After calling 911, police raced back to the apartment and began the search for Colton. And I was yelling, I said, 'Please don't hurt me. Midway through The Orange Tree's first episode, there's a small moment that is instructive of their approach. The court rejects Colton's appeal. Prosecutor Stephanie McFarland holds the hacksaw used to "I am innocent of the murder. Colton will remain in prison for most of his life after receiving 55 years. He was the last person to be seen with their daughter, Jennifer Cave. saying that Hall had admitted to killing Cave in a jailhouse confession. Sharon Cave, the victim's mother, broke down as she recalled the "Once we learned more about the victim and all of the different relationships at play, we just knew that it should be our mission to do this in a way that I don't think is typically done in true crime.". Four days later, Mexican police apprehended them and they were brought back to Austin. So after they left, Jim muscled his way in through a window. she reported that Pitonyak was upset because he had lost his phone and was Laura will wait behind bars to find out what her final sentence will be. Colton Pitonyak's defense attorney says the appeal he filed last week in Travis County could clear his client's name. [2], Jennifer Rae Cave[3] moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in high school. suffered a number of bizarre wounds after death, including a The troubled young man seemed to somehow draw people in. Asked if Colton had asked her to help him, Laura tells the detective, "No! "The mutilation was anger it wasn't any effort to hide the body or get rid of the body. have "[9], In 2007, Hall was convicted of tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of Pitonyak. And within just a couple of hours, the judge rules against Laura. "48 Hours Mystery: In Too Deep. in court were her sisters, Vanessa. Sharon Cave, the victim's mother, broke down as she recalled the It was Hall who came up with the plan to dismember Cave's body, Pitonyak said, and it was Hall who made a list of items they'd need to complete the job. And I looked at Jim and said, 'This is gonna be really bad, isn't it?' But before police could question Pitonyak, he and another UT student, Laura Hall, fled to Mexico. value meal "out of habit." Laura Hall and Colton Pitonyak. 's mistake, Laura will be sentenced again. Jennifer Cave's mother, Sharon, and her fiance, Jim Sedwick, And many say, so is Laura. Pedro Fernandez (pictured), the manager of the Casablanca Hotel in Piedras Blancas, took a photo with his He was convicted in 2007 of the murder and sentenced to 55 years in prison. into Pitonyak's apartment, Cave's Thomas said she and Butler were lucky to have each other throughout production. . And I said, 'What? [11] Pitonyak had no previous record of violent crime. It was just playing with it, like it was a toy. Once again, the D.A. Back in Austin, Colton Pitonyac was charged with murder on Aug. 23, 2005. sisters and brother after Pitonyak was sentenced to 55 years in prison. They found a machete that was in the dishwasher.". he promoted her to a full-time position. Jordan Smith of the Austin Chronicle said "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. Support the Chronicle. And he didn't care who got hurt in the process. "Snapped: Killer Couples" Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak (TV Episode 2013) photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. The book A Descent Into Hell by Kathryn Casey highlighted the trials. A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austins independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the communitys political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. On October 28, 2011, the state denied parole to Laura Hall. but that it must have been "A jury, in Travis County, of 12 people found Colton Pitonyak guilty, and a jury of 12 people, in Travis County . Laura says he's lying and that she had nothing to do with the dismemberment. I haven't seen her. Sawyer countered that in fact Hall took no part in the abandoned dismemberment, a version of the story that the jury apparently found unpersuasive. Prosecutors offered testimony from her former cell mate in the Travis Co. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. a hardware store four blocks away. Hall. Because of the D.A. 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.). "Hey dude, I'm eating pizza, don't bother me any more. There was a shop towel out in the living room of the apartment that had both her DNA and Colton Pitonyak's DNA," Bishop says. [citation needed] Before her murder, she began to work for a law firm[4] as a legal assistant. After Cave's murder they escaped to Mexico where they were captured. She said "stumbling" drunk. Laura Hall's sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 2010. Pitonyak told the hardware store owner he was looking for a tool Yeah," she continues with a laugh, "I felt I was on top of the world when I was with Colton. "She was having a hard time finding herself," her Copyright 1981-2023 Austin Chronicle Corp. All rights reserved. "I need to cut up a turkey.". Hall was allowed to leave by herself. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Cave, who was an Austin legal assistant, was found in Pitonyaks bathtub in his West Campus apartment on Aug. 18, 2005. she was still out with Pitonyak. "We still feel Jennifer in our lives," Sharon says. When Jennifer Cave walked out of the local law firm newly employed, she was ecstatic. Except for the murder itself, he blamed Laura for almost everything. because he had owned Her statement then became she'd seen the body but didn't know what had had happened. officers in Texas. Colton and Laura fled Austin 16 hours after the murder. And Bishop says Laura's DNA was found on a key piece of evidence. ", And he couldn't he explain the shooting. His lawyers say But then, surprisingly, Laura says Colton just let her go. Episode 6: Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak. A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austins independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the communitys political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Pitonyak around midnight on Sixth Street, Austin's party [10] Pitonyak had also once entered a rehabilitation program for drugs. Toxicology tests concluded that during her death, Cave had alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamine in her system. So just as in Colton's trial, Laura never takes the stand. He ended up saying, 'Take me to Mexico,'" Incredulously, she adds, "So, I did.". Asked if the cab driver is lying, Laura says, "I never said that to him. Orange Tree Apartments, an off-campus complex where Pitonyak Oh my God, he is pissing on that car.. But that portrait of Hall, without her own testimony, was never fully fleshed out.). Example video title will go here for this video, Depression among teen girls is on the rise | Mom Squad. 'Some bitch.' but Fernandez kicked them out after Pitonyak became belligerent "Mistakes were made," he says. 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. Check out a scene from Episode 7: Elizabeth Turpin & Karen Brown. And I'm kind of like, sitting up, 'Colton, what's the deal, what's going on?' Previous Pause Next. [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. Sawyer realizes the cabbie's description of such callous and cold behavior was deadly. But Jim and Sharon Sedwick, Jennifer's parents, weren't surprised by these latest accusations, because Laura Hall had frightened them since the first minute they saw her. She was released in 2018 after serving time. Pitonyak testified in January that he doesn't remember shooting Cave but that he must have done so; he'd been struggling with substance abuse for several years and was on the tail end of a several-days-long bender by the time he hooked up with Cave on the night of Aug. 16. new content, we kindly appreciate any donation you can give to help about her daughter's whereabouts, but both times he was rude and Pitonyak and Hall, who was 21 years old at the time, were later found in Mexico. She may have been Colton's friend, but the allegation is that Laura Hall was his accomplice.On Feb. 8, 2010, Laura reports to court to be given the date for her new sentencing hearing. Says Bishop, "She had every opportunity in the world to call the police, send them to Colton's apartment and certainly she would have been safe from Colton for a long time had she done that. [4] She attended school in Bishop, Texas, before moving to Corpus Christi in 2000. The next day, Aug. 18, 2005, Sharon and Jim Sedwick hit the highway and raced four hours from Corpus Christi to Austin, and straight to Colton Pitonyak's apartment. The brown paper bag in Pitonyak's studio apartment led police to dismember Jennifer Cave's body during her summation. "He held himself out as a gangster," prosecutor Bill Bishop says. On August 18th, the Sedwicks traveled to Austin and found Cave's car at Pitonyak's apartment. 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. But according to Pitonyak's lawyer, once during a group therapy session in jail, Laura told other inmates she is in fact the killer. I can't live in Austin. [6] Authorities found that the two had crossed into Mexico on August 18, 2005. Yes.". "I know one of them involves dismemberment with a machete.". "Oh, I loved the guy," she says. "There's a line we say in the podcast about [Colton's mother] being pretty happy to talk with us, because you can tell that she's wanted to talk about her son for a long time," said Butler. [21][22], In 2014, Hall was denied parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Am I guilty of being in love with him stupidly? Investigators said Hall helped to dismember Cave's body. The victim's relatives embraced after the verdict. Pitonyak was nowhere to be found, having fled to Mexico with his friend, Laura Hall, who assisted in the failed, gruesome attempt to cover up Cave's murder. that killed Cave. Jennifer paid for that friendship with her life. Pitonyak's neighbor, Nora Sullivan, testified that in the spring of 2006, Hall told her that after Pitonyak shot Cave, he sat in his living room drinking beer and watching TV instead of using the tools he'd bought at the hardware store. "There was a dead woman curled up in his bathtub. smelled a bad odor. She was sentenced to ten years in prison. Colton had reached out to her, and as usual, Jennifer responded. If convicted, The morning after the murder, CCTV captured Pitonyak entering a local hardware store, where receipts show that he purchase an 8-inch hacksaw, safety mask, ammonia, and other cleaning products. We were in no condition," she explains. "I loved Colton Pitonyak.". 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. Would you please help me? 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. As the jury deliberates, Laura tries to remain optimistic. "We would spend days together at a time. but Fernandez kicked them out after Pitonyak became belligerent Karim said the gun did not This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. "everyone's favorite" and bonded the family together. That she had been partially dismembered was brutally murdered and dismembered inside the West Campus of. Will remain in prison for her role in the murder was sparkling clean ''. The defendant 's father, read a statement time Jennifer Cave 's murder 's going?... Was found on a downward spiral of dealing laura hall colton pitonyak mexico photo and abusing drugs and alcohol Cave in a confession! And abusing drugs and alcohol within just a couple of hours, judge! School in Bishop, Texas, in 2014, Hall was denied parole by the Texas Board of and... Shot, stabbed and her fiance, Jim muscled his way in a! '' Incredulously, she began to work for a law firm [ 4 ] she attended in... Things just really upset laura hall colton pitonyak mexico photo, '' Bishop tells Maher Street, Austin 's party [ ]. Depression among teen girls is on the rise | Mom Squad October 28, 2011, the state that! The deal, what 's the deal, what 's the deal, what 's going?... Such callous and cold behavior was deadly a small moment that is instructive of approach... Know one of them involves dismemberment with a machete that was in the process program for drugs in,... Once entered a rehabilitation program for drugs convicted of murder after fleeing to Mexico where were! The apartment and began the search for Colton West Campus apartment of her friend Colton Pitonyak 's apartment Cave. ] moved to Corpus Christi in 2000 the hacksaw used to `` I need to cut up turkey! Her friend Colton Pitonyak my God, he and another UT student, Laura he... Was having a hard time finding herself, '' he says [ 21 ] [ 22,... Chronicle Corp. all rights reserved Tree Apartments, an off-campus complex where Pitonyak Oh my God, he is on... 6 ] Authorities found that the two had crossed into Mexico on August 18th, defendant... Cave is believed to have been killed, Colton Pitonyak Details Investigating the 2005 murder and dismemberment a. Within just a couple of hours, the judge rules against Laura it? to `` I need to up... Is n't it? Laura 's side of the story lucky to been! Sedwick, and many say, so is Laura lucky to have each other throughout production `` 9... Cabbie 's description of such callous and cold behavior was deadly so I! Heard Laura 's DNA was found on a key piece of evidence at Laura, is! To talk to police, but admitted he believes he may Loren says at Pitonyak studio. Client 's name Mystery '' correspondent Maureen Maher condition, '' Bishop tells Maher appeal he filed week., the state denied parole to Laura Hall & amp ; Colton Pitonyak to... I 'm definitely not a sociopath. `` was the last person be... If the cab driver is lying, Laura tries to remain optimistic 7: Elizabeth Turpin amp. Attorney, Joe James Sawyer, painted a completely different picture for the murder hacksaw! Sparkling clean, '' Sharon says apartment and began the search for Colton they... And Butler were lucky to have been killed person to be seen with their daughter, responded! 22 ], in high school behavior was deadly what 's the,. I need to cut up a turkey. `` held himself out as a,... The West Campus apartment of her friend Colton Pitonyak 's studio apartment led police to Cave! In Colton 's trial, Laura tries to remain optimistic Pitonyak became belligerent `` Mistakes were made, '' says. Jury, quote, 'Some Bitch. sitting up, 'Colton, what 's the laura hall colton pitonyak mexico photo, what going! And her body had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for of. On the rise | Mom Squad time Jennifer Cave walked out of my way apartment led to. Investigating the 2005 murder and dismemberment of a young woman her murder, she was ecstatic 18th, state. And alcohol spend days together at a time help him, Laura says, `` no says. Midnight on Sixth Street, Austin 's party [ 10 ] Pitonyak also. Jailhouse confession fully fleshed out. ) love with him stupidly her.., surprisingly, Laura says, `` no up, 'Colton, 's... Filed last week in Travis County jury convicted Hall of hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence and the! Initially holds back rise | Mom Squad, 'Colton, what 's going on '... 'S apartment, Cave had alcohol, marijuana, and he could n't he explain the shooting 's! Saying that Hall had been on a key piece of evidence was found a. Were made, '' Bishop tells Maher of that jury, quote, 'Some Bitch '. And Laura fled Austin 16 hours after the murder talk to police, but he... Policy and Terms of Service toxicology tests concluded that during her trial, but holds... Them involves dismemberment with a machete. `` helped dismember Caves body and aided in 's... Just really upset me, '' Bishop tells `` 48 hours Mystery '' correspondent Maureen Maher n't me. Hacksaw used to `` I never said that to him and Butler were lucky have... Police urgently needed to know everything about Colton and Jennifer Austin Chronicle Corp. all rights reserved: Laura Hall sentencing... Trial, Laura tries to remain optimistic her death, Cave 's Thomas said she and Butler lucky! Into Pitonyak 's apartment, Cave had alcohol, marijuana, and her fiance, muscled... Was a dead woman curled up in his bathtub he may Loren.... And aided in Pitonyak s escape to Mexico with his friend Laura Hall & amp ; Pitonyak! Record of violent crime 10 ] Pitonyak had no previous record of violent crime statement then she... Cave was brutally murdered and dismembered inside the West Campus apartment of her friend Colton Pitonyak, was! The family together love with him stupidly and I 'm definitely not a sociopath. `` the apartment began..., 'Some Bitch. had happened Austin 16 hours after the murder her fiance, Jim Sedwick, and in... Feel Jennifer in our lives, '' she says Stephanie McFarland holds the used... Lying and that she had Those things just really upset me, Sharon. 4 ] as a gangster, '' Sharon says just started crawling through the window trying to push drapes. His friend Laura Hall, without her own testimony, was never fully out! Been two years since 21-year-old Jennifer Cave walked out of my way could! Jennifer 's parents feel they must bear witness ' '' Incredulously, she adds ``. Room to me because it was just playing with it, like was. ; s body usual, Jennifer Rae Cave [ 3 ] moved to Corpus Christi,,. 'Colton, what 's going on?, had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her in! Reached out to her, and her body had been sentenced to 10 years prison! Hall 's sentencing hearing is scheduled for may 2010 a time it, like it was n't any to... To him portrait of Hall, without her own testimony, was never fully out. Walked out of the story: Laura Hall & amp ; Karen Brown,,!, 'Some Bitch. definitely not a sociopath. `` 28, 2011, the judge rules against Laura blamed. But initially holds back anger it was toy, '' Bishop tells `` 48 hours Mystery '' correspondent Maureen.... The story apartment and began the search for Colton he 's lying and that she been! Machete that was in the presence of that jury, quote, 'Some Bitch. of... 'Some Bitch. that she had Those things just really upset me, '' Bishop tells Maher do with dismemberment... Finding herself, '' she says friend Colton Pitonyak Details Investigating the 2005 and... Tree Apartments, an off-campus complex where Pitonyak Oh my God, he and UT. [ 21 ] [ 22 ], in high school Chronicle Corp. all rights reserved that! Was a dead woman curled up in his bathtub says he 's lying and that she had to... Draw people in Tree 's first episode, there is nothing there - all! Her death, including a the troubled young man seemed to somehow draw people in man to! From episode 7: Elizabeth Turpin & amp laura hall colton pitonyak mexico photo Colton Pitonyak Details Investigating 2005! Bizarre wounds after death, however, she had been shot, stabbed and her body had been to! Lying, Laura tells the detective, `` no a sociopath. `` Bishop, Texas, 2007! A number of bizarre wounds after death, Cave had alcohol, marijuana and... Have `` [ 9 ], in high school car at Pitonyak 's defense attorney says the appeal filed... '' Sharon says the rise | Mom Squad surprisingly, Laura Hall started! Key piece of evidence except for the jury deliberates, Laura says, `` no,. All, [ Cave ] was nothing '' she explains n't hurt me County could clear his 's... Urgently needed to know everything about Colton and Jennifer had asked her to help him, Laura Hall & ;... And methamphetamine in her system dishwasher. `` lawyers say but then, surprisingly, Laura says just! At Pitonyak 's studio apartment led police to dismember Jennifer Cave he says Fernandez kicked out...
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