After James Wendell Hall was convicted of the 1973 slaying of 20 year old Sarah Ann Ottens it appeared to everyone to be a closed case, but after many years it was revealed that the state had been hiding evidence all along which would prove to be a very deadly mistake.
Sources: Iowacoldcases.org by: Jody Ewing "New Trial for James Hall Denied" By: Claren F. Dale July 3 1974 ICPC"50-year term for hall in ottens murder case" By: John R. Munson Jul 4 1974 ICPC " C.R. police investigate death of woman" Mar 21 1992 The Des Moines Register "Obituary" March 21 1992 The Gazette "Death not natural causes; drugs or foul play probed" By: Rick Smith Mar 24 1992 The Gazette "Woman strangled, C.R. police decide" By: Rick Smith and Jeff Burnham March 25 1992 The Gazette "Hall knew finding body would put focus on him" By: Tom Fruehling March 26 1992 The Gazette "Hall appeal planned tuesday" Jul 8 1974 ICPC "Appeal of James Hall conviction filed" Jul 9 1974 ICPC "Rally in support of Hall planned" Jul 11 1974 ICPC "James Hall transferred to penitentary" Jul 16 1974 ICPC "James Hall transferred to Anamosa" Oct 1 1974 ICPC "Hall attorney asks for $11,000 from county" Dec 16 1974 ICPC "Brief filed in appeal for Hall" Dec 20 1974 ICPC "Delay granted for James Hall in Forgery Case" Jan 23 1975 ICPC "Delay OK'd in answering Halls appeal" Feb 27 1975 ICPC "Hall conviction upheld" By: Mark F. Rohner Nov 12 1975 ICPC "Turner: Hall decision hinders grand jury role" By: Mark F. Rohner Dec 2 1975 ICPC "Evidence found Hall lawyers seek new trial" Jan 7 1976 ICPC "Halls retrial bid considered" Jan 10 1976 ICPC "Judge orders Hall transcripts" Feb 16 1976 ICPC "Hall retrial bid denied" Feb 28 1976 ICPC "Hall plans another appeal" Mar 8 1976 ICPC "Hall appeal again denied" by: Mark F. Rohner Jan 19 1977 ICPC "Hall attorneys ask court to reconsider" Feb 3 1977 Iowa City Press-Citizen "Justice lets Hall remain free" By: Mark F. Rohner Feb 22 1977 ICPC "New lawyer handles hall appeal" By: Mark F. Rohner Apr 8 1977 ICPC "High court receives Hall appeal" May 16 1977 ICPC "Hall appeal rejected by court" Oct 3 1977 ICPC "Board denies parole to Hall" Aug 10 1979 Iowa City Press-Citizen "James Hall check charge dismissed" Jul 17 1980 ICPC"State now denies violating halls rights" by: Jerry Heth Aug 10 1983 ICPC "New Hall prosecutor reversed position" by: jerry heth Aug 11 1983 ICPC "Witness will prove Hall's innocence lawyers contend" By: Lyle Mueller Oct 7 1983 ICPC "Investigator: 2 witnesses said another man visited Ottens" By: Lyle Mueller Oct 13 1983 ICPC "Friends of James Hall band together to post his bond for Thanksgiving" By:Belinda Stewart Nov 24 1983 ICPC "Murder victim's mother: I'm shocked, confused" By: The associated press Nov 25 1983 ICPC "DNA testing expected in Hajek murder" By:Jeff Burnham Apr 15 1992 The Gazette "Hajek case to grand jury" By: Rick Smith Aug 4 1992 The Gazette " Hall plans to testify willingly" By: Tom Fruehling Aug 5 1992 The Gazette "Hall indicted in murder" By: Rick Smith Aug 15 1992 The Gazette "First degree murder trial begins; man accused of strangling woman" By: Debora Wiley Apr 8 1993 The Des Moines Register "Officials errors cited by defense" By: Debora Wiley Apr 9 1993 The Des Moines Register "Witness: Hall smoked crack 3 hours before victim was found dead" Apr 10 1993 The Des Moines Register "Hall told police he feared for his life" By: Leslie Yazel Apr 13 1993 The Des Moines Register "Hall lawyer again calls for mistrial" By: Dick Hogan Apr 16 1993 The Gazette "Prosecution rests case in Hall trial" By: Dick Hogan Apr 17 1993 The Gazette "Hall jury not told of similar case" By: Debora Wiley & Leslie Yazel Apr 19 1993 The Gazette