In Too Deep-Laura Hall Takes a Risk

On March 22, Eyes for Lies covered a 48 Hours segment about a young woman’s grisly murder and mutilation. In 2005, Jennifer Cave, 21, was found murdered and dismembered in the apartment of Colton Pitonyak. Within days of the murder, Colton, ran off to Mexico with sometime girlfriend, Laura Hall, a university student.

Upon capture, Laura tells authorities that she was a victim of Colton’s, too. She claims that she was afraid of Colton, and she says that she is innocent of any involvement in the crime.

In 2007, Laura Hall was convicted and sentenced by an Austin, Texas jury for hindering Colton’s apprehension, and tampering with evidence, specifically, the mutilation of Jennifer Cave’s body. However, Laura was released from prison for more than a year while her case was appealed, but in February by order of a judge, she was sent back to jail to wait for the hearing.

Colton was found guilty of murdering Jennifer in 2007, and he is now serving a 55-year sentence in prison.

Yesterday was the beginning of a new and risky episode to this already bizarre story. Laura decided to risk a new sentencing trial, which began Tuesday. One would wonder why she would risk having the possibility of more time added to her sentence, since she has already served 22 months of her five year sentence. She is now eligible for parole, if she accepted her original sentence.

Laura has not been silent during her time of freedom, and she has, unwisely, talked openly about her case. She has reportedly boasted to at least one individual about her part in the mutilation of Jennifer Cave. In addition, she has not shown any remorse for her part in this horrendous crime. The prosecutors are expected to introduce new witnesses and recorded conversations of Laura’s while she was locked up in prison.

This was a very emotionally charged case, and the outcome may result in more time being added to Laura’s sentence. Why would she run that risk?