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Laura Hall professes innocence on ‘48 Hours’
Local news coverage of Laura Hall, including pre-arrest photos of her grinning and partying in Mexico with murderer Colton Pitonyak and, later, rolling her eyes at TV cameras in court in Austin, bear little resemblance to the pretty woman proclaiming her innocence on tonight’s edition of “48 Hours” (9 p.m. on CBS, KEYE Channel 42).
You remember the University of Texas student, accused by Pitonyak of dismembering the body of Jennifer Cave, whom Pitonyak killed in some sort of drug-induced rage in 2005. The gruesome murder rocked Austin and especially UT, with the enigmatic Hall perhaps the most mysterious character of all in this bizarre saga.
Hall was convicted of evidence tampering and helping Pitonyak flee to Mexico, but she is petitioning for a new trial in hopes of overturning those convictions.
The “48 Hours” news release titles tonight’s episode “In Too Deep,” and the clear implication is that Hall might have been more of a victim than a villain in the murder of Jennifer Cave. Throughout her trial, Hall was seen entering the courtroom expressionless, sporting a variety of hair colors and styles. She never spoke to reporters, she usually frowned and she frequentlly sighed and looked alternately bored and annoyed by the whole mess.
Scenes from tonight’s interview show a strikingly different Hall, and not just because she’s been professionally styled for the cameras. She proclaims her innocence with great energy, insisting she had nothing to do with the murder or the dismemberment. She says she was afraid of Pitonyak and that he forced her to go to Mexico with him. She is earnest and occasionally even smiles.
Is Hall conducting a public relations performance or telling the truth? You be the judge. If what she’s saying now is different than what came out in her trial, why didn’t she say it then? And if she did say it then, why didn’t the jury believe her?
KXAN’s Sally Hernandez promoted
KXAN news director Michael Fabac announced over the holiday weekend that Sally Hernandez will permanently take the morning anchor job, partnering with long-time morning guy Chris Willis. She has been filling in for quite a while, replacing Tonya Kerr, who quit abruptly and rather mysteriously in October 2007.
Hernandez, who graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 2001 and immediately went to work for KXAN, has anchored weekend mornings and weekend evenings during her tenure at the station.
“Sally’s impressive track record is a testament to her skills and strong work ethic. I am proud to be able to internally promote an employee who has established strong connections in the community and proven herself as an advocate for our viewers,” said Fabac.
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By Conrad
January 23, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Sally Hernandez definitely deserves the promotion at KXAN. Sorry but Michelle Valles is not the best in Austin news I'd prefer to see her on the Playboy channel as her talent lies in preening and giggling suggestively.
While they are promoting they should replace MV with Shannon Wolfson. Still eye popping good looking but solid reporting and extremely professional presentation.
By nicole
January 23, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I was shocked that LAura Hall's attorney let her go on national television. She came off as unrepentant, insensitive, and most of all cocky. I don't think this is going to help her win an appeal.
By K elly
January 23, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
Ms. Hall is a demented person-deserves a lot more time than she was sentenced to....her guilt is so obvious in her shady attitude. And she thinks she is going to be a lawyer one day.....good luck with that. May you live a cold and lonely life.
My heart goes out to the Cave family.
By vicki
January 22, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
i got chills watching laura. she is hostile and dark. even when given a generous opportunity to voice her horror and sadness over ms. cave's murder..she never tries to pretend to feel anything for the girl.
she has all the affect and behavior of a full fledge sociopath. her arrogance is mind boggling.
this woman actually got a colton tattoo ...after the murder. IMO her participation in this crime ..made her feel more connected to colton...i think she felt he would not dare leave her after this. ooooops...so arrogant she never thought they would be caught, she is colder than he is. he was high..she had no excuse
By Nelizabeth
January 22, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
"I feel like the whole 48 hours is overly scripted."
They always are.
But just how Hall was acting....she was not acting like she suffered anything.
There was just something about her, its like well she was reading a script.
At the end of the show they show her with a sknaky name tattoo of "Colton" she got AFTER the murder!
That alone speaks volumes, she needs to be thrown in jail and the key tossed AWAY!
By hangdog
January 22, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
If she was so scared of Colton, why did she get a tattoo of "Colton" AFTER getting back from Mexico? This show is making me sick trying to show Hall as a victim. Her verbal threats to people on the internet and on myspace AFTER getting back from Mexico proves she is a liar.
By austinights
January 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
So, will the people in Pflugerville get to see Sally H. or are they still bumped from Suddenlink? Haven't heard much on that little turf battle as of late. I was not sure anyone was left over at KXAN to promote. Go FOX!
That Laura girl deserves a new trial. I seriously believe she is innocent of the crimes they charged her with - she is guilty of much more. For the horrid that happened to Jennifer Cave - better hope I'm not on that jury if you get that new trial!
By Fred G
January 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Although Michelle Valles is not the most talented anchor in the Austin market, she has a great set of cans and is much better on-air than the other anchors.
By rick m
January 22, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
YES, ALL MY FAMILY JUST LOVES SALLY HERNANDEZ
KEEP HER ON AND WE WILL TUNE-IN. THANKS:)
By Austinite
January 22, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Michelle Valles is one of the best in the business. Hey Janet, quit hating on her. Try not to worry about what she is supposedly worrying about and listen to what she has to say for once. Good riddance to you and Ch. 42. KXAN News is the overall best in the business. Hook 'EM
By Another Dan
January 22, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Anyone with a lick of sense knows Rather was crucified by CBS for telling the truth about the shirker-in-chief. CBS should disband its news/neo-con propaganda division. In the words of Laura "The Butcher" Hall: That's just how I roll.
By janet
January 22, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Really liked Tonya Kerr. Wish she would have stayed around to replace the evening woman.....Michelle Valles. She is such a fake and seems to be more worried about her camera angle than the story she is supposedly reporting. She really ruins your evening news. I turn the channel to 42 when she comes on. Your best bet is to put Kate Weidaw in the evening news womans spot. She is great. Very natural and believable.
By I don't buy it
January 22, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
I feel like the whole 48 hours is overly scripted. This is not the same girl we saw in court. The girl is strangely calm and bitter in court and now she is the ideal cheerleader.... Look at the high school history she has. She has always been dark, right down to the book she was reading in court.
I don't feel safe with her on the streets.
By Adam
January 22, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
This is a great move, as long as they leave Michelle where she is, Michelle is the highlight of KXAN, the best there is in Austin, on my behalf and great many in Austin,Tx So proud of you.
By Rusty
January 22, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Didn't Dan Rather also go onto 48 Hours to profess his innocence after trying his damndest to alter the results of a US presidential election, in favor of the french candidate, Jean-Francois Kerry and his boytoy Edwards? And we all knew that Danny boy was guilty as hell, just delusional. Ms. Hall should just accept what a jury of her peers convicted her of, serve her time, and then live her life. She's not fooling anyone with this planned charade to help boost CBS' ratings.
By mary
January 22, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Re: Laura Hall
I saw that video of her partying it up in Mexico with Pitonyak. She certainly didn't seem afraid of him and wasn't acting. She will be acting in this next "performance" of hers. She has no conscience and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.