PRATT – Samuel Lee Hall will serve more than 21 years in prison for the attempted murder of Ana Oviedo-Baltazar, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced today in a press statement on the case.
On April 2, Hall entered a Pratt hotel room and attacked his estranged wife with a knife, stabbing her several times while her two minor children slept next to her. An adult child also was assaulted by Hall.
Afterwards, Hall fled from the hotel in his truck, leading law enforcement on a dangerous chase through Pratt. Hall intentionally struck officer vehicles with his truck, before law enforcement disabled the truck. As officers attempted to take Hall into custody, he kicked one of the officers, causing injury.
In addition to attempted murder, Hall also plead guilty to two counts of aggravated child endangerment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
On Oct. 21, District Court Judge Francis Meisenheimer sentenced Hall to serve a total of 261 months in custody. In sentencing Hall, the judge noted Hall was placed on probation for a domestic violence offense against the same victim shortly before the incident.
“I am pleased justice was served in this case before the victim lost her life. Domestic abusers must be held accountable,” said Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme.
Assistant Attorney General Nicole Southall prosecuted the case with the assistance of Pratt County Attorney Tracey Beverlin. The Pratt Police Department and the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Dane Hicks is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He is the author of novels "The Skinning Tree" and "A Whisper For Help." As publisher of the Anderson County Review in Garnett, KS., he is a recipient of the Kansas Press Association's Boyd Community Service Award as well as more than 60 awards for excellence in news, editorial and photography.
