Former BYU student denied parole for stun gun attack

A former BYU student convicted of using a stun gun to kidnap a woman was denied parole earlier this month, and will spend at least four more years in prison.

Stetson Geo Hallam, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and obstruction of justice in July. On April 13 the board of pardons and parole reviewed the case, but opted to deny Hallam the opportunity to leave prison. Spokesman Jim Hatch said Stetson will have a new hearing in 2015, at which time he could be granted release or be required to spend more time in custody.

Documents related to Hallam's parole hearing indicate that authorities felt he had taken responsibility for his actions, expressed remorse and showed motivation for rehabilitation. The documents also note that he has a meaningful support system and is not a repeat offender.

But the documents also cite a series of aggravating factors including community fear or condemnation, relative vulnerability of the victim, the extent of the injury and the demonstration of extreme cruelty or depravity.

Hallam was sentenced in September to up to 15 years in prison. He was arrested after a 19-year-old woman in his LDS ward reported that he attacked her in a laundry room in their apartment complex. Police said Hallam was the woman's home teacher and had some romantic interest in her, but the interest was not returned.

Hallam contacted the woman repeatedly, telling her he had a gift for her. Police reported that Hallam met the woman around 9:30 p.m. on April 6, 2010 and told her a roommate helped him prepare a scavenger hunt for the gift in the common laundry room. In the laundry room, police said, he told her to open a bin, which she reportedly described as 5-feet long by 2-feet wide and 3-feet tall, with a lockable lid and handles.

When the woman opened the empty bin, Hallam pressed a stun gun to her arm, and she fell to the ground, according to police.

Hallam then pinned the woman down and put a handcuff on one of her arms. At the same time, he covered her mouth with his hand while she screamed and fought him, but she bit down on his finger until he released her, got up and apologized, claiming it was an April Fools' joke, according to police.

From the article: A former BYU student convicted of using a stun gun to kidnap a woman was denied parole earlier this month, and will spend at least four more years in prison. Stetson Geo Hallam, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and obstruction of justice in July...Hallam was sentenced in September to up to 15 years in prison. He was arrested after a 19-year-old woman in his LDS ward reported that he attacked her in a laundry room in their apartment complex. Police said Hallam was the woman's home teacher and had some romantic interest in her, but the interest was not returned. Hallam contacted the woman repeatedly, telling her he had a gift for her. Police reported that Hallam met the woman around 9:30 p.m. on April 6, 2010 and told her a roommate helped him prepare a scavenger hunt for the gift in the common laundry room. In the laundry room, police said, he told her to open a bin, which she reportedly described as 5-feet long by 2-feet wide and 3-feet tall, with a lockable lid and handles. When the woman opened the empty bin, Hallam pressed a stun gun to her arm, and she fell to the ground, according to police. Hallam then pinned the woman down and put a handcuff on one of her arms.

Let me get this straight. This BYU student has spent only 7 months in jail since his sentencing for attempted kidnapping, using a stun gun on a woman, etc. and he was already up for parole review? (Is this typical Utah "justice"? Or only for BYU students?)

From the article: Documents related to Hallam's parole hearing indicate that authorities felt he had taken responsibility for his actions, expressed remorse...

Well, I can't speak to his level of remorse, but this BYU Mormon home teacher took "responsibility for his actions?" Really?

Hallam's second original charge was aggravated assault. Instead of assuming responsibility for the full charges vs. him, he pleaded guilty only to obstruction of justice instead. Yes, aggravated kidnapping also includes a component like bodily injury; still, he was deserving of the second charge and failed to own up to it.

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