Laura Hall was sentenced to prison Tuesday for her role in the 2005 murder of Jennifer Cave.

The 24-year-old was convicted Friday of tampering with evidence by destroying or altering a human body and a misdemeanor count of attempting to hinder apprehension.

After six hours of deliberations, a Travis County jury sentenced her to one year for hindering apprehension and five years for tampering with physical evidence. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Hall was initially accused of helping convicted murderer Colton Pitonyak dismember Cave's body and flee with him to Mexico in August, 2005.

Cave, 21, was found shot, stabbed and partially dismembered in Pitonyak's West Campus apartment. He is already serving a 55-year sentence for the murder.

Cave's mother, Sharon, said now that Hall is in prison, her family can move on.

"I don't know if you ever get closure when you lose a child, especially when you lose a child to violent crime. But for right now, it's done. For now, Jennifer can rest," she said.

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"There's no question she maintains her innocence. Laura did not get on that stand and pander to that jury by saying she felt remorse because today, tomorrow, and forever, it's her position she's not guilty. She's innocent of these charges," Sawyer said.

Sawyer said he will ask Judge Wilford Flowers for an appellate bond. Should Flowers grant the bond, and depending on the amount, Hall said his client could be out of prison soon.

Sharon Cave said Hall should stay in prison the full five years.

"I think she's crazy as a loon. I don't think there's any help for her, which is sad. That's not just an angry mom talking. When you look at Laura and when you look her in the eyes, there's nothing there. It's empty," she said.

Before being taken into custody, Sharon exchanged a few words with Hall.

"If there's a hell, I hope you burn in it and I hope Jennifer
haunts you for the rest of your life," she said. "Laura said a lot of horrible things about my kids. I'm sorry, and you can quote me, but you just don't talk crap about my kids."

Sharon said she looks forward to returning home, putting the trial
behind her and enjoying her children.

"They have to live Jennifer's life now, too. They've got a lot of life to live," she said.