How Could You? Hall of Shame-Filipino Adoptee Gabriel Hall UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From College Station, Texas, Filipino adoptee Gabriel Hall,18, was arrested for capital murder after police say he’s confessed to killing a former Texas A&M Oceanography Professor and also stabbing his wife at their home during an alleged burglary on October 20, 2011. Another hat tip to Mirah Riben for making us aware of this case that we missed. She mentions it in her July 24, 2012 article Adoption and parenticide seeking truth and justice from Dissident Voice.
“A close friend and neighbor told News 3 off camera he was adopted several years ago with three other siblings from the Philippines and that they are taking care of more than 20 kids.
The College Station community is still coming to terms with the death of Texas A&M retired Oceanography Professor Edwin Shaar.
Shaar and his wife, 69-year-old Linda were attacked in their Deacon Drive home Thursday, allegedly at the hands of a teenager.
18-year-old high school student Gabriel Hall was arrested Friday by College Station Police who say he admitted to shooting and stabbing Edwin Shaar and then stabbed his wheelchair-bound wife Linda.
“Yeah it’s one of those things it’s kind of disconcerting it can happen anywhere. We’re kind of shocked of course in the neighborhood that it happened here,” said Joe Foster, who lives a few houses down from the Hall’s home where dozens of kids live.
“I know that they’re doing it out of the goodness of their heart without any question. The Halls I’ve got friends that know them real well I’ve got good friends that really believe in those people and I don’t have any reason to question that, but 20 is a lot,” Foster said.
College Station Police were led to Gabriel Hall after a witness came forward that saw someone matching the murder suspect’s description while out jogging.
“He recognized him and he was provided with a yearbook from A&M Consolidated High School and was able to pick him out of that yearbook,” said Officer Rhonda Seaton with the College Station Police Department.
“I don’t think the Halls did anything wrong you know it’s just this kid… He just made a horrible decision,” said Joe Foster.
Gabriel Hall’s Father Wes is also a founding member of the Central Texas Orphan Mission Alliance, CTOMA.
Gabriel Hall remains in the Brazos County Jail without bond.
The Hall family has not responded to News 3’s messages seeking comment.
As of Saturday evening Linda Shaar remains in stable condition in intensive care at the College Station Medical Center.
No motive is given in a two page report that describes a horrific crime scene at 1303 Deacon Drive. According to the report by College Station Police, 68-year old Edwin Shaar, Jr. was shot and stabbed in his garage by 18-year old Gabriel Hall. Hall then allegedly walked into the Shaar’s home and stabbed 69-year old Linda Shaar, who is wheelchair bound.
When police arrived, they report that Mr. Shaar was already dead and Mrs. Shaar was in the kitchen, covered in blood with an apparent stab wound to the neck. Officers report that she was gasping for air.”
New Details Emerge in College Station Murder Case
[KBTX 10/23/11]
“College Station resident Linda Shaar can be heard screaming as a dispatcher answers her desperate 911 call. Seconds later a shot rings out, ending the life of her husband, Edwin.
“Why are you doing this?” she shouted at an intruder before quietly giving her address on Deacon Drive to the dispatcher: “Get here!”
The dispatcher tried to get more information from Shaar, who struggled to explain her plight.
“He’s going to kill me,” she cries out between a series of shrieks that fade to silence.
The 272nd District Court fell silent as that 911 recording played during a hearing Thursday — one week after the couple was attacked in their home, six days after an 18-year-old A&M Consolidated High School senior was arrested and charged with capital murder.
District Judge Travis Bryan III agreed with prosecutors immediately after the two-hour proceeding, ruling that Gabriel Paul Hall should stay behind bars without the opportunity of posting bail as he awaits his trial. The $750,000 initial bond was rescinded.
Det. James Webb, one of two state witnesses to testify at the hearing, gave a chilling account of an interview with Hall less than 24 hours after the attack. Not only did Hall confess to the crime, according to Webb, but he answered a question the lead detective hadn’t yet asked: “He told me he wanted me to know why he did it and he said it wasn’t because of his rage — it was because of his killer instinct.”
Defense attorney Billy Carter didn’t call any witnesses, but cross-examined Webb, suggesting at one point that perhaps Hall suffered from a mental condition.
Police arrived to find Edwin Shaar — a 68-year-old former Texas A&M professor who used a walker to get around — dead in his garage. His wheelchair-bound wife, 69-year-old Linda, was stabbed in the throat. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover, officials said.
The detective would learn later than Hall ran to nearby Brother’s Pond Park, changed his clothes and returned home to cook and eat a supper of brisket with onions, Webb said.
He said Hall — a straight-A student who attended classes the day after the murder — initially was questioned by police as a possible witness to the crime, rather than a suspect.
Within 15 minutes of speaking with him in the late afternoon of Oct. 21, Webb said it was clear from Hall’s responses that they had the suspect already in custody.
He said the teenager indicated he had been planning a murder for six months and selected the Shaars as targets two months ago.
“He said he didn’t know them and had never had contact with them whatsoever,” Webb testified, adding that when he questioned Hall about why he chose the Shaars, he said “that he liked that location. It was a good location for him to do surveillance.”
During his confession, Hall walked investigators through the crime, describing how he snuck into the couple’s garage just before it was shut and came at Edwin Shaar once spotted in the reflection of a car. He stabbed the man in the chest before being shoved to the ground, Hall told Webb.
“He said he liked the fact that Mr. Shaar put up a fight,” Webb said. “He went to the kitchen…and stabbed [Linda Shaar.] He couldn’t tell me how many times, but multiple. He looked back and saw Shaar was able to get back up. Mr. Shaar slipped in his own blood and fell down in the garage.
“At that point, the defendant grabbed his 9 mm and shot him in the forehead point blank.”
He then walked back into the house toward Linda Shaar — already suffering from being stabbed in the upper back and still on the 911 call with the dispatcher — and slit her in the throat after his gun jammed, Webb said.
When the dispatcher attempted to get a response from Shaar, she managed to say, “Get here now. I’m dead. Hurry, hurry,” before going silent until police arrived, according to the recording.
The couple’s dog, which police said was found sitting next Linda Shaar when they arrived, could be heard barking during the attacks but stopped after his owner ceased talking.
Carter asked Webb about tactics used in collecting evidence and if he had any reason to question Hall’s mental status. The detective replied that he didn’t have reason to believe Hall was mentally ill or insane.
Investigators used the confession to secure a warrant to search Hall’s home located blocks away, Webb said.
Inside, he said police found the clothes Hall described wearing during the murder, along with a 9 mm and three knives.
The detective said he first spoke with Hall outside his home at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, and later in the day when he was brought to the police station by his father Wes Hall, a College Station lawyer and former justice of the peace.
Neither Wes Hall nor his wife, Karen Kruse Hall, were present during Thursday’s hearing in which their son wore an orange jail jumpsuit and was handcuffed throughout. He stared intently at Carter throughout his questioning of the witnesses, turning away from the person testifying just a few feet away.
Karen Hall’s name came up during the hearing because she was listed on a piece of paper described by prosecutors as a “hit list.” Two of his sisters were on the list as well, and a specific type of gun and bullet was written next to each name.
Hall told authorities that the document police found while searching his belongings was not a hit list and that he planned to purchase the weapons for the women for protection, Webb said.
The defendant — who displayed no emotion during the hearing — was adopted seven years ago from the Philippines.
According to a profile about Karen Hall on the Coalition for Life website, the family has at least 12 adopted children and seven biological or step-children. Hall is president of Central Texas Orphan Mission Alliance, an organization created to support orphans across the globe.
Next week, the teenager will be back in the 272nd District Court a hearing to determine if he can afford to hire an attorney. If convicted of capital murder, the 18-year-old faces life in prison or the death penalty.”
Murder suspect Gabriel Hall cites ‘killer instinct’ in attack on couple
[The Eagle 10/28/11 by Maggie Kiely]
“The high school student accused of last month’s capital murder of a College Station man was back in court Wednesday.
18 year old Gabriel Hall will continue to receive legal assistance at no charge. That’s after Hall told Brazos County District Judge Travis Bryan he has no money or any other assets, including a trust fund, and his parents would not be giving any financial assistance.
After Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Bryan learned the county recently entered a contract with a Lubbock-based group that represents clients facing the death penalty. The judge says grant money pays for the first two years of the defendant’s lead counsel. Bryan says that will save Brazos County at least $200,000 dollars.
The judge appointed a local lawyer to assist in Hall’s defense.
Hall, who told investigators he killed Edwin Shaar, Jr. and attempted to kill Shaar’s wife, remains jailed without bond.”
Gabriel Hall Receives Assistance in Capital Murder Defense
[WTAW 11/2/11 by Bill Oliver]
“Two months after 18-year-old Gabriel Hall shot and stabbed Edwin Shaar and critically injured his wife, Linda, a Brazos County grand jury has indicted him.”
Gabriel Hall indicted by grand jury on capital murder charge
[Fox news 28 12/21/11]
Adoptive parent Karen Kruse Hall can be seen here. Excerpt: “How did you become a volunteer/why are you involved? I am involved because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I responded to the call for sidewalk counselors after seeing the huge need while I participated in Stand and Pray in front of the abortion clinic. I volunteered to counsel and spent 15 hours a week for two years during 2002 to 2004. At that time I prayed that if God ever asked me to help in any other way, all He had to do was show me. He did exactly that. I purchased the property next door to the abortion facility last year, and decided to use it entirely for charity work. We are currently in construction but will be finishing soon! I have been involved in adoption and charity for children for 16 years, and my husband, Wes, and I have parented 20 children in our home. We have 12 adopted children, one in the adoption process and 7 birth/step children. We have had more than 15 international students and medical mission children that we have cared for. I believe that all children should be loved, and that all children in the womb are to be protected. Our experience in charity and our work in caring for children, has given us the unique opportunity to speak for them in many ways. It is a privilege to serve in the Coalition for Life and in the CTOMA charity where we can show our love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our fellow man.”
We found discussions on the internet that indicate that most of the adoptees are now adults.
A search of the Brazos County, Texas public court case records shows that submission hearings were held on 1/4/12 and 1/5/12 and many status hearings have been held on the following dates: 2/22/12; 3/14/12; 4/11/12; 4/12/12; 4/24/12.
A pretrial hearing was on 6/11/12.
Status hearings were on 6/25/12 and 7/25/12. There are two more status hearings scheduled: 8/30/12 and 10/25/12.
“INDIVIDUAL SEQUESTERED VOIS DIRE OF THE JURY” was granted to Gabriel in June 2012. The prosecution has asked for examples of handwriting .
REFORM Puzzle Pieces
Update: “The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) is heading to Dallas, Texas this week to help save a Filipino adoptee from Cebu City, Philippines, who is facing a possible death sentence after allegedly stabbing and shooting to death an elderly man during an alleged burglary before turning to the man’s wheelchair bound wife and slitting her throat and left her to die.
Legal team heads to Dallas to help Pinoy facing death sentence for murder
[GMA News 8/28/12]
Update 2: A search of public court cases revealed that Gabriel had a pretrial hearing on December 17, 2012. Two other pretrial hearings are scheduled for January 24, 2013 and March 5, 2013. Four other hearings are scheduled through May 2013.
Update 3/June 13,2013: A search of public court cases revealed that Gabriel has pretrial hearings scheduled for 06/26/2013, 07/23/2013, 08/01/2013, 08/05/2013, 09/09/2013 and 09/16/2013.
Update 4:“The capital murder trial of Gabriel Hall starts next month, nearly four years after police say he attacked an elderly couple in their home.
News 3 takes a look at why death penalty cases in Texas are taking longer to go to trial.
Gabriel Hall didn’t say a word during a nearly hour long pre-trial hearing Tuesday.
He was only 18 when he was arrested in October 2011 for the murder of Edwin Shaar and attack on his wife Linda at their College Station home.
The trial was set to start more than a year ago but there are delays due in part because of a 2013 law requiring more DNA testing for death penalty cases.
“We’re looking at in some cases hundreds of items that wouldn’t have normally been tested previously,” said Brazos County Assistant District Attorney Kara Comte.
Comte says the law helps prevent wrongful convictions.
“That’s all done to ensure that we don’t have cases that are coming back on appeal to ensure that people get a fair trial and we get it right the first time,” she said.
While Gabriel Hall’s defense team has spent $822,000, Marc Hamlin the Brazos County District Clerk tells us the county is out more than $2 million so far, and that’s on the conservative side.
The State Crime Lab in Austin tells us they have tested all the DNA in his case and DPS admits the backlog has gotten worse because of the law.
Dennis Wayne Brown also faced the death penalty until he was found dead in the Brazos County Jail in May. He was accused of killing Noel and Mac Devin. His case had 88 items needing DNA testing.
“We had been advised by the DPS Lab that it was going to take up to a year to test those items,” said Comte.
Despite the large price tag, Hamlin says the county is able to afford it.
“We are very fortunate in Brazos County in one way that we have the tax base that we do to be able to encumber this amount of cost,” Hamlin said.
The new law is only required for crimes that carry the ultimate punishment.
Hall’s capital murder trial is expected to start in August.”
Gabriel Hall Trial, Other Death Penalty Cases Delayed Due To DNA Testing Law [KBTX 7/2/15 by Olay Falls]
“A Brazos County judge will decide Wednesday whether to allow unaired footage from a Comedy Central special to be used as evidence in a capital murder trial.
Defense attorneys for Gabriel Paul Hall called their first witnesses Thursday afternoon to convince District Judge Travis Bryan to suppress evidence collected by Jeff Ross’ camera crew during the filming of his roast of inmates at the Brazos County Jail.
The attorneys called Jail Administrator Wayne Dicky and Quartermaster Courtney Waller to testify in the hearing.
Hall’s attorneys argued that jail officials denied inmates of their rights to counsel and didn’t warn inmates the show could be used against them in court.
They also argued by trying to use the comments in court, “the State is undertaking a ‘[k]nowing exploitation by the State of an opportunity to confront the accused without counsel being present.'”
Dicky said posters were put up in prominent areas around the jail to promote the Jeff Ross show, which Dicky organized to promote good behavior among inmates.
He said it never occurred to him that the footage could be used as evidence in court, so he never thought a warning to inmates would be necessary.
The posters advertising the show also informed inmates that Ross wanted to interview them as part of “Jeff Ross Roasts Criminals,” which aired on Comedy Central in June.
Waller was put in charge of escorting the nine-person production crew, complete with cameras and microphones, to different dormitories around the jail. As many as 64 inmates can move freely within each dormitory, Waller said.
In the unaired footage, Ross can be seen having a conversation with inmates, including Hall, around a table. Attorneys say the comedian’s interactions with Hall and the other inmates could give a “false impression that Gabriel [Hall] was making light of the crime.”
Waller said as the crew was moving around the jail, some inmates approached the production crew wanting to interact, while others went to their bunk areas to avoid being filmed. She said there was nothing in the dorm area that would have prevented Hall from going somewhere else.
The hearing will wrap up next week.”
Gabriel Hall’s attorneys argue to keep comedy footage out of trial [The Eagle 8/21/15 by Jake Walker]
“Jurors heard testimony Wednesday morning from three defense witnesses in an ongoing capital murder trial — one of which was the founder of the children’s shelter where Gabriel Hall and his siblings lived before they were adopted.
Paul Healy co-founded the Children’s Shelter of Cebu about 40 years ago. He said Gabriel Hall and his siblings — their last name was Cañada at this time — were a difficult group of children to find a family for because of the kids’ age range. The youngest was a toddler, the oldest was teenager.
He said the cutoff for when a child can be adopted is 18. When Wes and Karen Hall expressed interest in adopting, Healy knew that could be the last chance the Cañada children would get to all be adopted together.
He said he didn’t remember a whole lot about the Halls’ visit to the Philippines to pick up the Cañada children, but remembered there being a bit of a problem with legal documents that is usually taken care of before the adoptive family gets to the shelter.
The problems were worked out and Healy recommended the Hall family as a good fit for the Cañada children.
Healy said the shelter took in a severely burned boy about a year after the Cañada children left, so he arranged to take the boy to the Shriners Hospital in Galveston. He thought since he was in Texas, he might try to go see Gabriel Hall and his siblings.
Wes and Karen Hall approved the visit, and Healy went to their house for dinner and a church function. He said he had little interaction with the kids while he was there. He said the Halls spent much of the visit talking about their missionary work somewhere in Central America, and little time talking about how the kids were doing.
He said Gabriel Hall took him outside to see their llama, but that was about it. He didn’t have any more contact with the kids after the visit.”
Children’s shelter founder testifies about adoption in Gabriel Hall punishment trial [The Eagle 9/23/15 by Jake Walker]
“Two adoptive sisters of a man who was convicted of capital murder more than a week ago shared conflicting stories Monday about life with the couple who adopted them.
The two women were some of 12 people who testified on day six of Gabriel Paul Hall’s punishment trial. The bulk of their testimony was directed at Wes and Karen Hall’s treatment of their children.
At the beginning of the trial, Hall’s defense attorneys said the verbal and physical abuse at the Hall household was bad enough that it might have influenced Hall’s actions the day he killed Edwin and Linda Shaar in October 2011. They said the Halls “failed to do their job” to nurture the children, some of whom were severely abused before being adopted.
Susan Hall was adopted by the Halls when she was 8 years old and left the Halls’ house when she was 17 after an argument with Karen Hall. She had to drop out of high school to take care of herself and was never able to go back and finish. Susan is in her early 20s now and has an 8-month-old baby. She said Karen Hall has never made an effort or shown any interest in meeting the child.
She said Karen Hall loved her children, but Susan never felt that love from her. She said it was uncommon for Karen Hall to give some of the kids physical affection. Karen Hall was also known for yelling at the kids, and Susan Hall said the environment at the home was harsh when Hall was angry — which she said was often.
She said Karen Hall sometimes made comments to her about where she would be if she weren’t adopted. Susan Hall said Karen Hall would say things like, “if it weren’t for me you’d be a prostitute,” or “if it weren’t for me you’d be a junkie like your parents.”
Susan recalled another time when one of her adoptive brothers stole money from Hall’s purse. When Hall found out, she said, she made the boy sit in a dog cage for hours as punishment.
Alexandria Hall, the other sister called to testify, said it wasn’t a dog cage, but an enclosed area in the kitchen to give the pets room to run around without having access to the whole house.
Alexandria Hall, who recently graduated from the University of North Texas and lives back in the Halls’ house, said there were certainly times when Karen Hall would yell at her kids. Alexandria Hall said she always took it as strict discipline, not abuse as some have called it.
Alexandria Hall said she couldn’t recall a time when any of the children were treated differently, Gabriel Hall included. She cried when talking about how supportive her parents were of her. She said Karen Hall is a strong-willed and passionate person and admitted that that can be off-putting to some people.
Others who testified were guards and a former inmate at the Brazos County Jail who shared a room with Hall. Justin Pressler said he asked Hall why he killed Edwin Shaar, and Hall said something about not liking the landscaping at their house.
Pressler said Hall told him that he wouldn’t tell him the real reason he attacked the Shaars because his lawyer told him not to. He said he wanted to write a book about it after the trial was over.”
Gabriel Hall’s adoptive sisters recount differing stories of abuse, support at childhood home [The Eagle 9/22/15 by Jake Walker]
September 8, 2015
“Here’s five significant developments from day one:
1. The Jury Is Seated
Murder suspect Gabriel Hall for the first time met the twelve jurors and two alternates who will eventually decide his fate. The jury and alternates are five men and nine women. The jurors were given their instructions Tuesday from District Judge Bryan Travis, III and the media was told jurors could not be photographed at any time during the trial.
2. The Witnesses
Prosecutors called ten people to the stand Tuesday to testify in the trial. Among those on the stand where the first responding College Station police officers, the former Chief Medical Examiner who performed the autopsy on Edwin Shaar, Jr., a neighbor of the Shaars who was inside the home less than an hour prior to the attack and the man who first told police Gabriel Hall may be a potential suspect in the attack.
3. Linda Shaar
The victim’s wife, Linda, survived the attack. She was in a wheelchair when it happened and today she was at the courthouse and surrounded by family and friends. Prosecutors say Linda will testify, but it’ll happen towards the end of the trial. The widow did leave the court when autopsy photos of her husband were on display during testimony.
4. The Confession
Prosecutors told the jury that Gabriel Hall confessed after his arrest to killing Edwin Shaar, Jr. and stabbing his wife, Linda. They say Hall put super glue on his hands to mask his fingerprints. Hall was arrested less than 24 hours after the crime. Prosecutors say during the confession, Hall told police during the murder he “did it with a smile on his face and enjoyed it.”
5. The Motive
We still don’t know exactly why Hall allegedly committed the murders, and defense attorneys told they jury they won’t deny it was Hall who did it. They did say there’s more to story and offered hints that there was anger and sadness building inside Hall prior to the invasion of the Shaar’s home. We know he had a difficult time growing up in the Philippines and was dropped off at an orphanage by his biological mother at the age of six. When he was 11 he and a couple of siblings were adopted by a local couple and brought to the United States. Prosecutors said in court Tuesday that Hall randomly chose the Shaar’s home as a target months before the attack and he would often stake out the home to watch the elderly couple. Prosecutors told the jury that Hall practiced shooting his gun prior to the murder and following the attack they found a “kill bag” that belonged to Hall. There has been previous reports of a hit-list that Hall created, but it was not mentioned in the opening statements of the trial.”
September 9, 2015
“An audio recording of Gabriel Hall’s confession the day after Edwin Shaar, Jr. was murdered sheds some light on what may have motivated the high school student to unleash a deadly attack in 2011. Here’s the five significant developments from day two of the capital murder trial:
1. The Confession
College Station detectives say Hall first denied having anything to do with the murder of Edwin Shaar, Jr. and the brutal attack the nearly claimed Linda Shaar’s life. Hall, along with his adoptive father Wes Hall, voluntarily went to the police station the day after the homicide to speak with investigators. Two detectives were able to convince Gabriel to confess to the crime. The audio recording of that confession was played in court today.
2. The Perfect Place
Hall was asked several times during his confession why he chose the Shaar’s home on Deacon Drive. Hall said he first noticed the home in 2010 and said it was “suitable” and he noticed it had “easy access.” He told detectives he wasn’t concerned about who lived in the home. He considered it to be the perfect place to carry out his attack. “I didn’t care if they were young or old, healthy, sick,” said Hall on the recording.
3. No Motive To Live
Hall told detectives he wanted to die and was “willing to kill for it.” In the recording, detectives asked Hall, “So you’re saying you want the death penalty? Why?” Hall said he had no motivation to live and was happier living in poverty in the Philippines than living in the United States with his adoptive family. “I guess this has built up. You could call it rage, but it didn’t feel like rage to me. It’s more of a killer instinct.”
4. The Gun
Hall told detectives he found the gun in a grassy area next to a business on Rock Prairie Road and he practiced shooting it before the death of Edwin Shaar, Jr. He said he got the ammunition from his mother’s office cabinet. Hall told investigators he ditched the gun and the knives in a pond at a park near the Shaar’s home. Investigators did not find the weapons there.
5. Sticky Fingers
Prior to being arrested for the murder, Gabriel Hall was fingerprinted at the College Station Police Department, but a witness on the stand today said it was impossible to get Hall’s fingerprints because he put super glue on his hands before his visit with investigators. After discovering this at the police station, Hall’s adoptive father, Wes Hall, begins to question Gabriel along with detectives about his story.”
September 10, 2015
“Here are five key developments that took place today inside the courtroom.
Both Sides Finished
The prosecution and the defense both today rested their case. The defense called no witnesses to the stand. The prosecution called 20 people to the stand in three days.
Linda Shaar
The widow of murder victim Edwin Shaar testified today and shared her side of the story to the jury. She recalls being in her home on the evening of October 20th, 2011 and suddenly hearing a noise coming from the garage. She knew her husband was fighting for his life, so she called 9-1-1 and that’s when she says Gabriel Hall came into the kitchen and tried to kill her. “He had a real mad look on his face,” she said. “Then I remember bleeding and I thought I was going to die and so I laid there and just acted like I was dead.”
Gabriel Hall’s Emotions
For the first time that we have seen in court, Gabriel Hall broke down in tears. He first became emotional during Linda Shaar’s testimony. As Linda finished, Hall began to cry.
The Weapons
For most of the morning, the courtroom sounded a lot like a science class. Several forensic scientists and crime lab experts were on the stand explaining how DNA samples are collected from crime scenes and tested. We also heard how the casings found in the Shaar’s home were tested to match the gun used during the crime. The jury was able to see the gun and knives used.
What’s Next
The official charge will be handed over to the jury on Friday morning around 10:00 a.m. That’s when deliberations will begin. Following the verdict, if guilty, the punishment phase will begin. Hall could get life in prison without parole or the death penalty.”
September 11, 2015
“Here are five key developments in the Gabriel Hall capital murder trial today.
The Conviction
The jury handed up its guilty verdict today. Gabriel Hall is now guilty of capital murder.
Closing Arguments – The Defense
In closing arguments today, the Defense gave us a preview of what to expect next week. Attorney Tony Odiorne told the jury “You’ll hear more about Gabriel’s life in the Philippines, his life in an orphanage before he was abandoned by his biological parents. What you’ll hear is an explanation, not an excuse.”
Closing Arguments – The State
District Attorney Jarvis Parsons asked the jury “How many 18-year-olds do you know sit there for months and plan the murder of helpless people? The issue is not Gabriel’s age. The issue has been his… desire to slaughter innocent people.”
The Jury
It only took the jury three and a half hours to reach its decision to find Hall guilty. 90 minutes of that time was spent listening to Hall’s confession to police the day after the murder.
Punishment Phase
Part two of this trial begins Monday morning at 9 a.m. Hall’s biological and adoptive family are likely to be called as witnesses as defense attorneys tell us more about the 22-year-old’s childhood. The punishment phase could take 2 – 3 weeks.”
September 14, 2015
“Today was the beginning of the punishment phase for Gabriel Hall. He was convicted last Friday for the murder of Edwin Shaar, Jr. Here are five key developments from today.
Opening Statements
Prosecutors were quick to remind the jury of the murder they say was planned for months in advance. The state wants Hall to be executed. The defense is asking the jury to consider his troubled childhood and give him life in prison with no chance of parole. Last week the defense said it would offer up an explanation not an excuse, for Hall’s pain, fear and anger. They say his past is what paved the way to his crime.
Hall’s Childhood
Gabriel Hall has a heartbreaking childhood. He grew up in the slum in the Philippines with an abusive father who was often in jail. Hall was born premature, taken home in a shoe box and kept warm with a light bulb. Defense attorneys say he struggled to survive, grew up with little food and almost no shelter and slept on cardboard boxes. They said Hall would often “talk to” mice and insects just so he would have something/someone to interact with. Hall’s mom put him and three siblings in an orphanage when he was six. Hall’s half-sister testified today. She’s one of several biological members of his family who are in town from the Philippines to testify.
The Hall Family
When Hall was 11, he and his siblings were adopted by Karen and Wes Hall from College Station. Gabriel’s attorneys say the Hall home is a “home full of shame, solitude and secrets.” After taking in the kids from the Philippines, the Hall home had a total of 19 kids. Defense attorneys say the Halls were abusive to their kids both mentally and physically. The family was described as “hoarders” who were accused of hoarding things, pets and people. The Hall family is expected to be called to the witness stand during this phase of the trial.
School Days
The day after the murder, Gabriel Hall went to his classes at A&M Consolidated High School and “aced” a test, according to one of his former teachers. Educators described him as a student who was good, intelligent and loved science. His student files indicated he did have attention problems.
More Murders Planned?
A former inmate of the Brazos County jail who testified on the stand today said Hall confessed to him a plan to Hall put together to kill Wes and Karen Hall, his adoptive parents. He went on to say Hall appeared to be “aroused” whenever he described the sound of the knife when cutting into the Shaar’s skin. Police also described a bag with tools and knives that were found in Gabriel’s bedroom after he was taken into custody. In the bag was half a machete and a disabled hacksaw. Two murder mystery books were also on a desk in Gabriel’s room.”
September 15, 2015
“Here are five key developments from today’s hearing.
Biological Sister
Clarissa Espinosa was the first of six witnesses to take the stand today. She became very emotional when describing their childhood in the slum in Cebu City. She says their parents were often gone and she had to take care of Gabriel. She would often shield him from the abuse of their father and would provide whatever medical care she could to a very sick Gabriel.
Biological Mother
Erlinda Espinosa was also emotional on the stand as she described her abusive relationship with Gabriel’s father and their living conditions. She said Gabriel was born a premature baby and taken home in a shoe box and kept warm with a light bulb. She law saw Gabriel in 2003. Erlinda said the family was poor, struggled for food and money and said Eduardo Canada, Sr., Gabriel’s father, would hit her, put alcohol in her eyes and one time urinated on her when she was in bed. She said this happened in front of Gabriel. Eduardo is expected to testify possibly as early as Wednesday.
Prosecutors pointed out that even though Gabriel had a horrific childhood, his sister took in more of the physical and mental abuse, but she has never murdered anyone.
The Orphanage
We heard from a case worker at the Children’s Shelter of Cebu where Gabriel and his siblings were sheltered after their mom put them up for adoption. Gabriel was described as “a genius, but a loner” who loved rocks, minerals and insects.
The Hall Family
We heard from the Executive Director of the Children’s Shelter of Cebu, Mitch Ohlendorf, who said there was nothing unusual about Karen and Wes Hall, the couple that adopted Gabriel and his siblings. The Halls distanced themselves from the orphanage following the adoption, even turning down a request for a donation. We’ll hear from the Halls soon. The defense has said Gabriel’s time in their home played a role in his misery as a teenager.
Linda Shaar
For the first time Linda Shaar, the widow of Edwin Shaar, Jr., was not at the courthouse today.
Testimony will pick back up at 9 a.m. Wednesday.”
September 16,2015
“Here are five key developments from today’s hearing.
Gabriel’s Biological Father
Eduardo Canada, Sr. told the jury today his kids were often beaten and received painful punishments for crying too much. He admitted to using drugs and said he would often fight with his wife because of money problems. He said the family would hunt, trap and eat neighborhood pets because there wasn’t enough food around. Canada says when Gabriel Hall was three, he was dropped on his head during a fight he was having with Gabriel’s mother, but they never took him to the hospital because they had no money.
Gabriel’s Biological Brother
Eduardo Canada, Jr. told the court today he still loves his brother and became emotional when he left. On the stand he recalled times when his father would beat him and said he was once placed into a sack, beaten and then hung over a fire. Canada, Jr. said he was removed from the orphanage where Gabriel was because he was accused of attempting to molest girl in the shelter. He also shared the story of a time when he and Gabriel were at a neighbor’s home watching porn. He described the neighbor has an “old gay” man who touched his shoulder. Canada said he immediately left the home, but left Gabriel in there for 20 minutes. Gabriel would not say what happened in the home.
Reaction to 9/11
A former resident of the orphanage that took in Gabriel and his siblings testified today. Joselito Mahilum said he was the same age as Gabriel and remembered him being a “genius” in school who was fascinated with insects. Mahilum said after learning about the 9/11 attacks in America, Gabriel mentioned he wanted to make a bomb out of AA batteries. Mahilum said Gabriel only said it once and never mentioned it again after that.
Return To Home?
Today the defense finished questioning all of its witnesses from the Philippines. There were 10 total.
Linda Shaar
For the second day in a row, Linda Shaar was not in the courtroom.”
September 17, 2015
“Here are five key developments from today’s hearing:
Alleged Hit-Lists
Prosecutors and defense attorneys went back and forth today with a former detective who says two handwritten hit-lists were found in Gabriel Hall’s bedroom. One list had several names but nothing else. The other list had three names with a type of gun next to each name. Gabriel told detectives after his arrest he was planning to give each person on that list that specific type of gun. Defense attorneys say the names were not lists of people he was intending to harm. A third piece of paper listed several “Quotable Quotes” from Hall’s adoptive parents, Karen and Wes Hall. The quotes are very derogatory remarks they allegedly made towards Gabriel.
Threats From Jail
A former and current inmate both testified today that Gabriel Hall has made threats from behind bars. He told one inmate he’d kill another inmate if he was sentenced to life in prison. He told a different inmate he’d kill a guard if he was convicted of the crime. Gabriel’s nickname is jail is “chopsticks.”
“The Weather Was Nice”
Today the jury was shown a video tape of Gabriel confessing to investigators a few days after his arrest. In the tape, Gabriel is heard saying he randomly chose the Shaar’s home, but he specifically liked their place because the trees around the home provided cover for his crime. When asked why he chose to carry out the attacks on that day specifically, Hall simply says “the weather was nice.”
Interest In Law Enforcement Careers
A former A&M Consolidated High School teacher testified today that Hall once wrote in an essay that he wanted to be a police officer or crime scene investigator after finishing high school. He was planning to attend Sam Houston State University.
Sudden End To Day
Linda Shaar and family were back in the courtroom today, but shortly after 3:00 p.m. the Judge said a matter had come up the and the jury would be sent home early. He didn’t elaborate on what the issue was. On Friday, there are several hearings scheduled with expert witnesses without the jury. The jury won’t be back in the courtroom until Monday morning.”
September 18,2015
“Dr. Bethany Brand, a psychologist, says Gabriel Hall suffers from four psychological disorders. Three of those she believes contributed to his crime.
-Dissociative Identity Disorder
-PTSD
-Major depression
Dr. Brand has also diagnosed Hall with Trichotillomania, a hair pulling disorder. She does not believe this played a role in the murder of Edwin Shaar, Jr.
Earlier this morning Judge Travis Bryan III declared competent to stand trial following an incident on Thursday. Details of what happened between Hall and his defense attorneys were not publicly revealed.
Dr. Jolie Brams, a psychologist, said today Hall was in dire need of treatments for his childhood traumas and never received it following his adoption by Karen and Wes Hall in College Station.
She went on to say Gabriel Hall’s adoption was “inappropriate and destructive.”
The Judge is expected to rule Monday morning on whether or not video footage from Comedy Central that includes Gabriel Hall can be presented to the jury.”
September 21, 2015
“We’re now in week number three for this case. Here’s five key developments from today’s hearings.
Abuse Allegations
On Monday we heard from two of Gabriel’s adoptive sisters, both with very different versions of life in the home of Karen and Wes Hall, the people who adopted Gabriel Hall when he was a child. Susan Hall said Karen was physically and mentally abusive to some of the 19 kids who lived in the Hall home during Gabriel’s teenage years. Alexandria Hall, another sibling, painted a different picture of the Halls. She painted a picture of a strict, but loving home.
Hit List
We heard from several people on the so called hit lists written by Gabriel Hall prior to the murder of Edwin Shaar, Jr. Two former classmates, his sisters and a next-door neighbor all said they have no idea why their name would be on the list.
Comedy Central Video
Judge Bryan ruled that portions of a video from Comedy Central can be shown to the jury. The video that features Gabriel Hall will show his character and no-remorse attitude behind bars, according to prosecutors. Defense attorneys were fighting to keep portions of the video from the jury, saying Gabriel and other inmates were interviewed without attorneys present, and they had no idea the footage would be used against them in court. Comedy Central was at the Brazos County jail for a stand-up comedy show featuring some of the inmates. The special aired earlier this summer, but the clips involving Gabriel Hall were removed from the show.
Weapons Found
Several correctional officers told the court today Hall has hidden several weapons in his cell at the Brazos County jail, including a “shank” and razor blades. Attorneys went back-and-forth on the purpose for those weapons, saying they could have been used for a planned attack, or for defense from other inmates.
Commander Edwin Shaar, Jr.
Emotional testimony Monday came from a longtime friend of Edwin and Linda Shaar. Robert Parlo told the jury Edwin was “a great guy, a great neighbor who loved his wife and did everything he possibly could to keep Linda Shaar happy.” Pardo says he often drives by Deacon Drive (where the Shaars lived) and every time he sees the street sign it reminds him of the murder. “I see that sign and I just want to stop and rip it down so I don’t have to think about it anymore,” he said.””
September 22, 2015
“We’re now in the second week of Hall’s punishment trial. Here’s five key developments from today’s hearings.
Comedy Central Video
Today we saw video from the interview a film crew from Comedy Central did with Gabriel Hall inside the Brazos County jail. Hall told comedian Jeff Ross that he was “born with a frown” and claimed he was innocent. Hall also shared two jokes about Asians, but never told the host/comedian what crime he was charged with. Ross asks Hall if he was caught “hacking into a computer?” Hall responds by saying “something like that.” Another inmate says “hacking being the operative word.”
Betsy Shaar
Betsy is Edwin and Linda’s daughter who told the jury today about the day she received the news of her father’s death. She says her mother, Linda, has never returned to their home on Deacon Drive in College Station.
Abuse Allegations
Gabriel Hall’s brother-in-law, Stephen Stevens, told the jury today he’s never seen any abuse inside the Hall’s home. Stephen was one of several names on Gabriel’s “hit list.”
Teaching Gabriel
A woman who said she was a teacher at the Children’s Shelter of Cebu in the Philippines described Gabriel Hall as an engaging, sweet student who was often distracted and scattered.
Early Break
Today was a half-day for the court. The jury was sent home just before noon because a soon-to-be-called witness had to interview Gabriel Hall outside the courtroom. Judge Bryan told the jury today that testimony will last through next week and the soonest they could begin deliberations is Monday, October 2nd.”
September 23, 2015
“Here are five key developments from today’s testimony in court:
Hours Before The Murder
Today we heard from a neighbor of the Halls who said Gabriel was a friend of her son. On October 20, 2011, the day of the homicide, Joy Anderholm agreed to give Gabriel a ride home from school. She says he appeared sad as he exited her vehicle. She became very concerned because Gabriel looked suicidal. We now know this was in the hours leading up to the murder.
The Day After The Murder
The day after Edwin Shaar, Jr. was brutally killed, Gabriel Hall went to school where he did well on a test in one class. Today we heard from another teacher who said she saw Gabriel at school and it looked like he “wanted to say something” but he never did. She also noticed Gabriel wasn’t wearing a hat that day, which was odd because it was Friday. She said Hall would wear a hat every Friday because it made other kids laugh and they would call it “Crazy Asian Wears A Hat Day.”
Bullied In School
Gabriel was bullied in high school, according to a former A&M Consolidated High School classmate today. He said most of the abuse was verbal, but there was a time when another kid took a rule and would strike Hall.
“Model Inmate”
Two former and one current employee of the Brazos County jail testified today that Gabriel Hall has and never was a problem on their watch. One former detention officer called Gabriel a “model inmate.” Of course, that’s different from testimony we’ve heard previously from other guards who say Hall has a history of hiding weapons in his cell. Hall has also been heard making threats to harm other inmates and guards if he’s given life in prison.
Sasha McDonough
Sasha McDonough is Gabriel’s adoptive sister. She was adopted from Russia by Karen Hall and Karen’s ex-husband, Kim McDonough.
Sasha described a horrific childhood in Russia and told the court she was put into a home of emotional neglect with Karen Hall. Sasha’s testimony was put on hold shortly after 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll hear from her again first thing Thursday morning.”
Neighbor Says Gabriel Hall Looked Sad And Suicidal Hours Before Murder [KBTX 9/23/15 by Rusty Surette]
the halls have kicked out (meaning no communication, no support) 6 of 9 adopted kids over the age of 18.
they aren’t good people.
Your numbers and thoughts are absolutely wrong. And you have no ground to stand on when you accuse the family of not being “good people.”
I know them. And I know those who have been kicked out.
None,
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Let’s talk about those “kicked out” kids. I have personal knowledge of the Hall family.
Case 1
One was in private school. She turned 18. She was asked to please complete her GED and then come home. Her parents wanted to help her either go to college or do whatever else she wanted/needed to do to become a contributing member of society that had a good relationship with her family. This girl didn’t want to do that. She literally walked out of the school. The Halls didn’t know where she went. Wasn’t long after they get a call that she is in jail, arrested for possession of all kinds of drugs. The Halls went to bail her out and get her life back on track. All they asked was that she quit communicating with drug dealers. She refused to do so. She still has not contacted the Halls since getting out of jail. This girl received tens of thousands of dollars to further her education and to have a head start in life. She blew all the money and has no higher education. This is not what the Halls wanted for her. *this kid has an arrest record.
Case 2
Another was having difficulties in school. Decided it wasn’t for her. She wanted to study design. The Halls bought her an interior design program that she only used once. This girl had a talk with the Halls. They said that she didn’t seem happy and would getting her own place and a job help? They thought she would be happier being more independent and this would in turn motivate her. She said yes. The Halls took her furniture shopping for her new apartment, agreed to pay half the rent, and made sure she had a job before moving out. In the first month she quit her job, left her apartment for the Halls to finish paying for. She left all the new furniture, pots and pans etc. and left the Halls stuck paying rent for 6 months and all the while they had no idea where their daughter went. She still has not contacted the Halls since leaving her apartment. This girl also received tens of thousands of dollars to further her education and to have a head start in life. She blew all the money and has no higher education. This is not what the Halls wanted for her. *this kid has an arrest record.
Case 3
Another was through two years of college and staying at home for the summer. She continually stayed out until all hours of the night and had strangers over in the middle of the night. This was against Hall family rules. She was asked not to do it. The final straw came when again; she had people over late at night. The friend that came to pick her up drove their car off the driveway. In an attempt to get their car unstuck, they messed up the lawn and broke a water pipe. They all just left. They left the broken water pipe dumping water down the driveway and all into the street. Had they not made such a commotion, noone would have realized until the morning. Another one of the Halls kids had to wake up the parents so they could shut off the water. The next day it was also discovered that she hit her sisters car, did a lot of damage, she then lied and said it wasn’t her, even though it was. She was told that she was old enough, and if she wouldn’t follow the rules, she really couldn’t really stay there. She has only contacted the Halls a few times since this. She only contacts them when she wants something. *this kid has an arrest record.
Case 4
This kid would not take any guidance. She consistently made bad decisions and lied. She made it clear she did not care about what her parents thought. One night when she was supposed to be babysitting her younger siblings she snuck out with another one of her siblings to a property owned by their parents. They brought two boys and plenty of alcohol with them. The next time the Halls went to their property they found the house a mess, messed up furniture, the toilet a mess (vomit from too much to drink), and a dirty used condom on the floor in the parents bedroom. When confronted, she offered no apology. She said she didn’t care. Her parents were upset that the kids broke their trust, gave and consumed alcohol even though they were minors etc. The halls explained that this kind of behavior was not acceptable. The kid moved out with her tens of thousands of dollars in college money. She traded her car in because she wanted a “cooler one” and when I mean traded it, I mean the halls bought it back. She got the cool car she always wanted. Within in a year she totaled it. She also blew the money, and has no higher education to show for it. This is not what the halls wanted for her.
Case 5
The other kid who snuck out with case number 4. This kid is the younger of the two. She has real anger issues. Mad at the world and rude. She decided that she needed to go “take care” of case number 4. This kid left voluntarily, so she wasn’t really kicked out.
Case 6
I assume you’re talking about Gabriel. Do I even need to say anything about this one? Yes this kid is bright. He was an all A student, never had detention etc. He had a job at Kroger and was working on getting his drivers license. In recent months before the crime the halls had talked with him about where he wanted to go to college. This kid is a serial killer that got caught on the first crime. In his own words, it wasn’t because of rage but because he has a “killer instinct”. There is no defense for this crime. No matter how difficult life had been etc, it wasn’t anymore. One story I can’t get over is one of his birthdays. He got a snake, something he really wanted. He took the snake everywhere. One day a sibling noticed it was not in its cage. All of the siblings started looking for the snake. Gabriel disappeared, where was Gabriel? Upstairs taking a nap while everyone looked for his snake. He refused to help look. A few months later, the snake was found. The new rule was that he could still play with the snake and take it out of the cake, but not beyond the room that the cage was in. Did he listen? No, he lost the snake again, and it has never been found. Gabriel didn’t care. This is the kid who had a hit list and wanted to kill his parents. Do you blame them for not running to his defense given the crime? The crime was no accident; it was planned, not for any reason but to enjoy killing someone. *this kid obviously has an arrest record.
Now, that is kind of depressing. You always here about the “kicked out” kids. You don’t hear about the amazing kids who still have great relationships with their parents. Shocker: SOME OF THESE KIDS ARE ADOPTED!!! These kids were able to go to college and graduate debt free thanks to their parents. These kids don’t have arrest records. These kids are good members of society that have taken every opportunity and ran with it. So before anyone starts talking about stuff that they know nothing about, you may need to do a lot of research to be able to make a valid unbiased statement.
Seriously though, people need to stop with this 20 SIBLINGS thing. Right now only 3 kids are at home. That is no more than many other families in Brazos County. THERE WERE NEVER 20 KIDS LIVING IN THE HALLS HOUSE AT ONCE.
I know them too secret. Some of them I’m still close with. And your perpetuation of lies and twisted truth indicates that you’re of the same ilk as the Halls. You are hardly “unbiased”.
Do you have any idea of what the psychological implications of adopting these kids so late in life are? Those adopted kids are your *children* now. Yes they have problems, most of the time as a result of their early development as they were adopted with they were older (anywhere from 6-17). But that does not necessitate further abandonment because they are “lost causes”. The Halls are ABSOLUTELY responsible for their well-being and care. They have biological children with major problems that they have not abandoned like they have their adopted children. You need to do some research on adoption psychology, as do the Halls.
Almost all of the rebellious behavior of these kids can be linked to the environment they came from AND the environment the Halls provided. They needed individual attention and affection that did not exist in that house. These kids don’t just come to the states implicitely trusting their new parents. That trust is cultivated and established over time. The Halls exhibited a complete lack of culture awareness and understanding when dealing with these kids. Do you get that they have nobody to go to now? When life gets hard for most of us, we have family and established friends in a country we grew up in to fall back on. They don’t. Your bigoted superiority complex stems from an upbringing that is NOTHING like what they experienced in their home countries.
The truth is the Halls have a history of favoritism and conditional love with their adopted kids that is absolutely a contributor to these individuals direction in life. Sure, some of the kids ended up fine, but the Halls failed as parents in that so many of their adopted kids ended up like this. The real tragedy is that the Halls could not offer the type of household that would’ve changed the story for these people. They are closed-minded, stubborn and arrogant in their “holier-than-thou” beliefs, and truly believe they are absolved from any responsibility of the behavior of their “black sheep” children.
You know the story from one point of view. The Halls. No one gives these kids a voice. You don’t know the whole story. You don’t mention how they were left alone for weeks at a time, how she physically abuses them, how she drinks. Not all that glitters is gold.
Secret-You’re clearly Karen Hall or one of the remaining children responding. No industry could operate with such a low success rate and that should especially be true in regards to parenting. I estimate that the Halls have a 30% success rate when it come to rearing children. Very poor form.
Karen Hall is the kind of woman that makes a positive difference in the world. I taught one of her children in CSISD and that’s how I was introduced to her. No she isn’t a “good” person, she’s a spiritual, caring, proactive, gentle, smart, exceptional person. She is the reason this kid ever had a chance.
san,
Karen Hall may indeed be “…a spiritual, caring, proactive, gentle, smart, exceptional person…” but based on the outcomes for these kids, she may have made MORE of a difference if she’d tried to help fewer children. Perhaps consulting secular psychologists for recommendations about evidence-based interventions for at-risk kids would have also resulted in fewer teenagers going of the rails.
In reading about Wes & Karen Hall’s adopted (& forgotten) children, I just wonder if any one out there knows about the daughter that is now paralyzed from an ATV accident and the Hall’s have had an opportunity to help and they turned their backs on her.
Hey Secret, which case # is Gabriel’s big sister?
Gab’s older sister was #3 on that list
There is another son that was kicked out at 17. He was still a Junior in high school and had to find ways to make it. He had to find a family that would take him in and he had to ride his bike everywhere. He lost a lot of weight because he didn’t have a job and his family didn’t care to enough to make sure he had food. His Senior year in high school he had to start without a family. Please “secret” tell me your thoughts on this kid that you forgot to talk about…
The children I have known had a lot to say about intimidation, abandonment, and “slave labor,” and physical/emotional abuse.
Where are the Halls now? Do they still have kids living with them. If so, CPS needs to be called. Gabe would have been better off living in the slums of the Philippines than with them. They had the chance to make good lives for these kids and chose to abuse them. And yes, their “holier than thou” attitude got in the way of love and nurturing.
yeah, better off in the slums, where in this same testimony they were literally eating neighborhood cats and dogs and beating the children in sacks over a fire, those terrible Halls and their too many kids in one house feeding and clothing and providing a future for them…
Death penalty. For gabe. That’s what he deserves