Episode Fifteen | Just Case Studies: Mel Hall – A Sexual Predator

Mel Hall – A Sexual Predator

For the second season of Just Science we will be delving into case studies. These case interviews include victim accounts, lawyers, investigators, and crime lab directors.  They will tell you about cases they have personally worked during their career, and what tactics they used to bring their victims justice.  Episode one is a case involving a former Yankee baseball player, Mel Hall, who was convicted on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. We phone interviewed the prosecutor of his case, Kim Davignon, and one of the victims Chaz Easterly. Just Science discusses with them victimology, and how to handle cases involving children who have experienced sexual assault.

This recording took place during the From Cradle to Cane Conference: Crimes Against Vulnerable Victims in Charleston, SC March of 2017.

If you are a victim of sexual assault or would like to talk to a trained advocate, there is a National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline you can call at 800.656.4673, or visit RAINN.ORG or Victimsofcrime.org.

Some content in this podcast is sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

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KIM D’AVIGNON, J.D., Assistant District Attorney, Tarrant County, Texas—Kim D’Avignon has been an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Tarrant County, Texas for 15 years. She has worked in numerous sections at the TCDA’s Office including Narcotics, Family Violence, and Crimes Against Children. She is currently a Felony Court Chief. During her 8 years assigned to Crimes Against Children Unit, Kim tried dozens of cases involving the physical and sexual abuse of children as well as child homicides. She tried the Mel Hall case in 2009. Kim received her Law Degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2000. She is Board Certified in Criminal Law. Kim is also very involved in her community. She has been a volunteer at a grief camp for children, El Tesoro de la Vida, for 22 years as well as a volunteer at a bi-weekly grief center for children, the Warm Place, for 14 years. She remains in touch with many of the victims from the Mel Hall case.

CHAZ EASTERLY—Chaz Easterly has been married to her husband Stuart Easterly for 16 years. Her greatest accomplishment and joy is their three children, ages, 15, 13, and 11. Chaz is an entrepreneur and the Founder of Linen and Flax Home and L&F Home Design Firm. Chaz also started a ministry for middle and high school age girls that encourages and builds girls up in their faith, confidence, and self-worth. In her free time, you will see Chaz cheering on their 3 children in football, cheerleading and life from the sidelines. Chaz and her family reside in Atlanta, GA.

Additional Content:

SBNation article about Mel Hall case

From Cradle to Cane: Crimes Against Vulnerable Victims Brochure