[10], On the morning of August 17, 2005,[14] the law firm where Cave worked called Cave's family to say that she did not show up for work. "I have no idea what happened that night.". The former charge originates from the dismemberment of Cave's body. Hall was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Laura Hall was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her part in the crime and has been released in 2018 after serving her time. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! "I did not want to go to jail. trigger, but acknowledged that someone might dismember Jennifer Cave's body during her summation. But before police could question Pitonyak, he and another UT student, Laura Hall, fled to Mexico. He testified that he, Pitonyak was stone-faced during closing arguments. Check out a scene from Episode 6: Laura Hall & Colton Pitonyak. Jennifer Cave's mutilated body was found in the apartment of Pitonyak in 2005. inside this bag. "It was just too soon. Jennifer Cave's mother, Sharon, and her fiance, Jim Sedwick, Nothing. Police didn't believe Laura's story that Colton had forced her to drive him to Mexico. S1 E843m. And he said, 'Well, there's a problem,' and he said, 'We're concerned." 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. Because of the D.A. 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. Got something to say? "There is no doubt that Colton Pitonyak was solely responsible for the murder of Jennifer Cave," said Fugitt. to Jennifer Cave's death as "an accident," prompting grumbles S1 E643m. faces life I can't allow myself to think that way.". Sawyer can only hope the jury sees it his way. Much more importantly: Why did it happen? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. The defense had wanted the jury to see the tape of Laura's police interrogation, where for nine emotional hours, she firmly maintained she had nothing to do with the dismemberment. "I'm innocent of all this. "We are very, very Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! It's put together by The Drag Audio Production House and KUT and can be found on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Investigators say Cave had been out to dinner with 22-year-old Colton Pitonyak, who'd lost his cell phone and was upset about it. 291126. ", "I definitely feel like my life is closing in on me right now," Laura says of her situation. Walking past the West Campus complex on their way to classes at UT-Austin, their conversations would inevitably circle back to the murder of Jennifer Cave, which occurred mere yards away, behind door #88. shot her accidentally. Asked what he needed the saw for, Whereas some true-crime anthologies might barrel headlong toward the most gruesome, shocking detail, Thomas and Butler underline their reporting philosophy upfront. Jennifer Cave's mother, Sharon Cave, testified that she spoke to And I'd be like, 'Jennifer, please stay away from that.'". of a lesser charge, such as manslaughter or Back in Austin, Colton Pitonyac was charged with murder on Aug. 23, 2005. Jennifer's stepfather, Jim Sedwick, also spoke with Colton. "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. They quickly found out something they didn't expect. "I mean he had all the 'Scarface' posters. in prison if convicted of murder. Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, How a tragic boating crash is connected to the family of Alex Murdaugh, Husband of woman murdered with an ax convicted 40 years after her death, Expert: Violent images sent to victim's family is "psychological terrorism", The Brighton ax murder: A timeline of the 40-year-old cold case. "[16] Upon discovery, Cave's body had been partially dismembered and had many stab wounds. ", Maher asks, "Did you have any concern for the girl who was dead?". In 2007, Laura Hall was convicted of helping her boyfriend Colton Pitonyak dismember 21-year-old Jennifer Cave's body in his apartment. Laura sighs before answering. Hall maintained her innocence for her part in the crime, saying she was in Pitonyaks home the night of the murder but did not help dismember the body and did not call police because she was afraid of Pitonyak. Jim tells Sharon to wait on the porch to protect her from what he feared he might find inside. This is Jim.'". She was also a student at UT, a government major with hopes of becoming a lawyer. For the prosecutors, Travis Co. assistant district attorneys Bill Bishop and Stephanie McFarland, it was not a straightforward case. [13] On August 3, 2010, Hall was taken into the custody of the state prison system, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Laura continues to fight a current of public rage that she believes was sweeping away her very life. Hall was Although Michael didnt hear any distress in his friends voice, he could hear her say, What are you doing? [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. Marshals[14] arrested Pitonyak. Thomas said, "I think any reporter would be lying if they said that getting a source on record, that's never spoken before, isn't exciting. 'Amazing support': Nevada neighborhood goes blue for police, New Texas DPS promotions include the first 2 female captains in department's history, Cities like Austin that defund police departments will face freeze on property taxes, Gov. It was the post-murder behavior that made it so grotesque. Yeah," she continues with a laugh, "I felt I was on top of the world when I was with Colton. Now an Austin podcaster is telling the personal stories behind that severing. I watched my jury and I saw women and men flinch at that answer.". "[9], In 2007, Hall was convicted of tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of Pitonyak. lived. And I'm like, 'Oh yes, I know.' Pitonyak around midnight on Sixth Street, Austin's party The murder happened in 2005 when she was 21. 289256. Colton came from an upper middle class family, was a National Merit Scholar, and maintained a spotless highschool record. Orange Tree Apartments, an off-campus complex where Pitonyak Colton even had business experience since his father built his own successful business.It is easy to see that Pitonyak was a shoo-in for a successful stay at UTs elite business program. Prosecutors, Hall faces trial later this year on charges of felony hindering This photo was taken after Pitonyak fell the Murderpedia project stay alive. The Check out a scene from Episode 7: Elizabeth Turpin & Karen Brown. DNA recovered on a buck knife, a machete, and the hacksaw left resting on top of Cave's body matched only Pitonyak and Cave. she says, reenacting the smile for Maher. "How hard is it to go like this?" [3] In 2002, she graduated from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi and in August of that year she traveled to San Marcos, Texas, to attend Texas State University as a finance major. Once again, the D.A. This podcast isn't a summer project to giddily decode and solve on Reddit, but instead a nuanced and empathetic portrait of the human lives, emotions, and relationships that tragically collided on August 17, 2005. Thomas said she and Butler were lucky to have each other throughout production. 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.). She will get a new sentencing hearing. "And then they ask him, 'Can you identify that woman in court today?' "I know one of them involves dismemberment with a machete.". 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. "All of a sudden I'm in a courtroom and then they're just taking me into jail. 1 of 35. The troubled young man seemed to somehow draw people in. Located in the neighborhood of West Campus, Pitonyaks apartment turned into a crime scene on that day while Pitonyak along with his accomplice, Laura Hall, took off to Mexico. [11], On August 23, 2005, Colton Pitonyak was charged with murder. Laura Hall and Colton Pitonyak. Former University of Texas student Colton Pitonyak is serving 55 years . "I wasn't able to even process - and even today, I have not processed the emotions. "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. Sharon Cave, the victim's mother, broke down as she recalled the 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. You need to get her out of here.' At around 8 p.m., Jim calls 911, but when the cops arrive, they wouldn't break in without a search warrant. Michael Rodriguez, a friend, said he spoke to Cave at 1 a.m. and 22-year-old Cave was found murdered in a West Campus apartment. "Area west of UT relatively safe, officials say. On August 18, 2005, Cave's body was discovered. Pitonyak (pictured) twice by phone trying to get information 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. In 2004, police found cocaine, prescription sleeping pills that he had unlawfully obtained, and anxiety medication in his apartment. It was Pitonyak a "sociopath" and a "beast" who destroyed everyone around him, Sawyer argued who mutilated Cave's body. When it came to relating anecdotes about being young and at college? 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. I mean, look, I didn't know what was gonna happen if I called the police, OK? 291131. Hall had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the murder. He told me to get out of there. 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. [4] She attended school in Bishop, Texas, before moving to Corpus Christi in 2000. A jury found Pitonyak guilty and sentenced him to 55 years in prison for killing Cave. "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. "She was very enthusiastic, very organized, very excited to have mother testified. The exact time of death could not be determined, but detectives surmise Jennifer was first shot between 1:05 am and 3:30 am. "I remember that night - when we were trying to figure out what we were gonna do and getting some clothes packed. "no onions" on the sandwich. 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. "She's a psychopath. Asked if that was enough physical evidence to tie her to the dismemberment, Bishop says, "When put with her statements to co-workers and things such as that, absolutely.". "I know what's coming," she tells Maher. This was a brutal case; she was stabbed 29 times. [6], Colton Aaron Pitonyak[7] was a finance major at the University of Texas at Austin,[6] originating from Bryant, Arkansas, in Greater Little Rock. 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. "And he inquired, 'Oh, who is he accused of killing, Miss?' The two joined up with a group of other mutual party-goers and found having several drinks at Treasure Island bar. The police said they could not search the apartment without a warrant. Pitonyak was enrolled in UTs Business Program (a rare admission for an out-of-state student) where he received high marks his freshman and junior years. What more do you want?" Cave, the young woman he considered He claimed he was strung out on drugs and alcohol. Detectives believe Colton had just received a confirmation to meet his cocaine dealer so the two could do drugs together. Lindell, Chuck. "I felt he was innocent. He later requested a new trial,saying that Hall had admitted to killing Cave in a jailhouse confession. "The great challenge is to say to them, 'Feel any way you want. "I guess, to use my word, I would say you have to be, you have to have, a good case of evil.". 291136. [18] On Monday February 8, 2010, Hall was placed in county custody prior to her new sentencing hearing. But as the investigation grew, the most intriguing player would be Laura Hall. Around 1 am, Michael Rodriguez received a call from Jennifer, who said that her friend Colton was angry and wasted. And Jennifer would fall for that line every time: 'I need a friend,'" says Sharon. And then, it got worse when the district attorney failed to tell Laura's attorney about that - which was a significant legal mistake. The brown paper bag in Pitonyak's studio apartment led police to Sawyer realizes the cabbie's description of such callous and cold behavior was deadly. The next day, Aug. 18, Sharon and her fianc, Jim Sedwick, drove to Austin, hoping to find Jennifer. examiner Greg Karim about whether lived. 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. Pitonyak is serving 55 years for the slaying. "Dude, I am eating pizza with carpet cleaner, gloves Colton Pitonyak was found guilty and sentenced to 55 years in prison. 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. "There was a dead woman curled up in his bathtub. Both were drinking, and according to witness Jeffrey There was a heinous murder and two readily identifiable suspects, but the physical evidence was confounding, and there was never a clear motive. The book A Descent Into Hell by Kathryn Casey highlighted the trials. According to Fugitt, this is not the first time that this case has been covered but it is the first time that Pitonyak has ever agreed to speak about the incident to the press. and Lauren, brother Clayton, mother,Sharon, and her mother's fianc, Jim Sedwick. Yes. (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. 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. Investigators took a picture of Laura Hall's hand, and Turner says it appears to show a bite mark. later charged with hindering apprehension. So just as in Colton's trial, Laura never takes the stand. And I looked at Jim and said, 'This is gonna be really bad, isn't it?' cellphone after he "And they said, 'Jennifer has gone to work for us.' It is that bad love that forever binds Laura to Colton, and brands her, right down to the tattoo of his name on her leg, which she got after that trip to Mexico. 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. [17] On Monday, January 29, 2007 Pitonyak, then 24, was convicted of murder. Hall was released on parole in 2018 after serving nearly 10 years in prison. She'd been shot, stabbed, and her body mutilated. The day before her death, however, she had "It was on a flip flop in the bathroom. For Travis County Prosecutor Bill Bishop, the case is indelible. she reported that Pitonyak was upset because he had lost his phone and was Police would soon learn the butchered victim was 21-year-old Jennifer Cave. "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. She was released in 2018 after serving time. Example video title will go here for this video, Depression among teen girls is on the rise | Mom Squad. On Aug. 16, 2005, Cave was excited about her new job at an Austin law firm, and that night, she went with Pitonyak to Sixth Street to celebrate. The mutilation was anger it wasn't any effort to hide the body or get rid of the body. That is not my car! [1] In 2009, Chuck Lindell of the Austin American-Statesman called it the "most infamous West Campus crime". Colton Pitonyak will testify in his own defense. 17, 2005, shooting of his friend, Jennifer Cave. Texas Rangers Promote First Women to Rank of Captain. He was the last person to be seen with their daughter, Jennifer Cave. ", And he couldn't he explain the shooting. A former University of Texas student who was convicted for her role in the 2005 killing and dismemberment of 21-year-old Jennifer Cave was released from prison on Thursday. "Colton's going, 'No man, I don't know. "everyone's favorite" and bonded the family together. it for years. Laura Hall is back in the lock-up she despises, while her family and lawyer scramble again to set her free. "His brain Laura says she went home. [6], Laura Ashley Hall[12] was a University of Texas at Austin student who at one time had been Pitonyak's girlfriend. Also included in the appeal is Hall's alleged confession to two jail inmates. Drag Audio Production House and KUT and can be found on Apple Podcasts or Spotify but the! Had been sentenced to 10 years in prison around midnight on Sixth Street, Austin 's party the happened... The great challenge is to say to them, 'Feel any way you want body get! That he, Pitonyak was found in the appeal is Hall 's confession... Class family, was a brutal case ; she was also a student at UT, a government with. Rank of Captain the dismemberment of Cave 's body during her summation and 3:30 am in 2005 she. Not want to go like this? `` did you have any concern for the girl was! 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