After one long day of evidence and argument a Pulaski County jury last Thursday found Licking resident Kalen Hall guilty of first-degree assault (a class-A felony) for attempting to drown a woman last year.
The case was transferred to Pulaski County at the request of the defense attorney. Texas County prosecuting attorney Parke Stevens Jr. said the jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before reaching its decision. Judge John Beger presided over the trial and will assess punishment on May 16 in Texas County, while Hall is being held in confinement.
Hall, 32, was on trial for actions that occurred May 30 during an incident on Beth Street in Licking. Hall is accused of striking a 29-year-old woman, rendering her unconscious, and then dragging her body to a ditch full of water where he held her face down under water. One of several witnesses reportedly ran Hall off and pulled the victim from the water. After a thorough investigation by the Licking Police
Department, a probable cause statement and evidence was submitted to Stevens, and a Texas County grand jury indicted Hall and requested a warrant for his arrest.
“This is an individual with a lengthy criminal background who hasn’t learned from previous incarcerations,” Stevens said. “Him being in confinement makes our community safer.
“I want to express gratitude to the honorable Judge Beger, the Pulaski County jurors, witnesses who testified, the circuit clerks of both counties, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department for confining the defendant and defense counsel for Mr. Hall. The actions of all these individuals enable the criminal justice system to seek justice.”
Hall has been held without bond after being charged. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.