An Oklahoma woman killed two of her children and injured another while they slept. Now, she will spend the rest of her life behind bars.
United States District Court Chief Judge Ronald A. White sentenced Amy Leann Hall, 43, to two life sentences in federal prison for the shooting death of her 18-year-old son, Kayson Toliver, and 16-year-old daughter, and injuring her 14-year-old daughter. To avoid the death penalty by the State of Oklahoma, Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder.
“This crime was gut-wrenching and there is no question the sentencing is just. It is absolutely heart breaking to think a mother could be capable of shooting her own children while they slept. The FBI is responsible for investigating the most serious crimes in Indian Country and along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue these cases. We are committed to protecting all of the tribal communities we serve, helping victims, and ensuring that justice is met for violent offenders,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray, reported the U.S. Department of Justice.
On Nov. 1, 2018, officers responded to a family home off South 130 Street in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, where they spotted Hall fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Soon, a police chase ensued that exceeded 110 mph before the defendant was arrested and placed in custody.
According to prosecutors, in the early morning hours, Hall had walked into Toliver’s room and shot him in the head while he slept, killing him instantly. Then, she proceeded to the room where her 16-year-old and 14-year-old daughter were fast asleep and shot them both in the head. Though first responders rushed both girls to the hospital, the 16-year-old never regained consciousness and succumbed four days later. However, the 14-year-old survived the ordeal.
Later, Hall told investigators she wanted to save the children from their abusive father and had intended to kill herself. Just weeks before the fatal incident, the defendant had applied for an emergency temporal order for sole custody of the children. In addition, Hall’s estranged husband had told authorities in 2016 that the defendant was mentally unstable and psychologically abusive to the children, according to FOX News.
Hall was sentenced to an additional 20 years for the assault with intent to commit murder charge. She was ordered to serve her sentences concurrently. Hall will not be eligible for parole.
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