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Defense disputes prosecution's allegations in Francis Hall murder trial

Frances Hall accused in death of estranged husband Bill Hall

SAN ANTONIO – In October of 2013, local trucking company owner Bill Hall died when his motorcycle crashed after colliding with a Cadillac Escalade driven by his estranged wife, Frances.

She had spotted him riding his motorcycle along Loop 1604. His mistress Bonnie Contrerras was following him in a Land Rover.

Contrerras testified last week that Frances Hall rammed Hall’s cycle from behind.

“There’s no evidence of this contact as Bonnie Hall testified to,” Charles Ruble, and accident reconstruction expert testified on Tuesday.

“No damage to the rear of the cycle,” Ruble testified. “No damage at all on the front of the Escalade.”

Using toy model vehicles Ruble demonstrated for the jury how, according to a motorist following Hall’s Escalade, Bill Hall tried to pass his wife as she applied the brakes.

“Next thing he sees is the cycle, like he’s going to pass, he goes on the shoulder,” Ruble said.

The defense theory is that Hall lost control and collided with the Escalade.

They claim that Hall’s death was a tragic accident and not murder.

If the jury finds Hall guilty, she is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Testimony will continue on Wednesday in Judge Jefferson Moore’s 186th District Court.


About the Author

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.

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