The Murder of Emmett Corrigan
I have gone ahead, and released this post early! Once again, I apologize because I haven’t posted in a few days!
For this case, I watched an episode of American Monster. It’s season 7 episode 5, titled ‘What the Heart Wants.’
A father is five is killed in a Walgreens parking lot.
Background
Emmett Corrigan met his wife Ashlee in 2003, while they were both attending Utah State University. They got married in March 2004, and eventually had five children together.
Emmett was described by Ashlee, as charismatic, and excited about life. He was also a hands on father at first, until he decided he wanted to pursue his dreams.
Emmett Corrigan and Ashlee
Ashlee, Emmett, and their kids
A Change in Emmett
In 2007, Emmett, Ashlee, and the kids, all moved to Spokane, Washington. Emmett made the hour commute to attend Gonzaga Law School. It took a toll on him, and he wasn’t around as much, to spend time with the kids or Ashlee.
In November 2009, Emmett finished law school. He then got a new job at a bankruptcy law firm in Boise, Idaho. He worked while he was studying for the bar, which he ended up passing. Ashlee was also pregnant with their fifth child at the time when Emmett told her that he wanted to open his own practice.
Emmett was hard at work, and told his co-worker Kelly, that he needed some help. He asked her if she knew of anyone who could help him. That was when Kelly introduced Emmett to a 40-year-old married mother of two named Kandi Hall.
Kandi was described as a very good paralegal, and was hired in November 2010. Emmett and Kandi worked long hours together, and Ashlee said she noticed the changes in him right away.
Ashlee described a moment when she had visited Emmett at work one day. Kandi had been wearing a short skirt, and knee high boots. She said she had a moment where she felt like Emmett and Kandi were having an affair. She then thought, why would Emmett leave her for this 40-year-old woman.
Kandi and Rob Hall
The Walgreens
On March 11, 2011, Ashlee said she woke up that morning, wanting to fix her marriage. She went to the grocery store, and cooked dinner. Emmett walked in late, and told her that he ate already.
Ashlee was distraught. Emmett then received a phone call, which he took in a back room. After hanging up, he told her he was going to go to Walgreens, which was in Meridian, Idaho.
At 10:22pm, a 911 call came in. A woman said she had heard three gun shots, and that two males, and a woman had been involved. A minute later, Kandi Hall, called the police. She can be heard yelling “Robert, Robert, Robert!”
When the police arrived, two males, who were identified as Rob Hall, and Emmett Corrigan were both lying on the ground. Rob had a gunshot wound to the head, and Emmett had been shot twice, in the chest and head.
Emmett Corrigan was pronounced dead. Rob was rushed to the hospital, and Kandi was transported to the police station for questioning.
Kandi and Rob’s Stories
At the crime scene, three shell casings were found, and the murder weapon was found 50 ft away from where Emmett and Rob had been found. Kandi would later said that she had tossed the gun after she saw it.
Once Rob regained consciousness, he was asked why he was at Walgreens. Rob said that his daughter had called him, and told him that Kandi was there. She had been driving by, when she saw her mom’s empty car in the parking lot.
Rob told the police that he and Emmett had an altercation. They fought, Rob had his gun, and somehow Emmett was able to grab it, and shoot him.
In Kandi’s interview, she told the police that on the night of the murder, she and Rob had a fight. Rob left, and she texted Emmett, asking him to meet her at Walgreens.
At 9:10pm, Kandi arrived at Walgreens. Kandi said that she and Emmett talked about life, and about their marital issues. Kandi said she and Emmett went to put gas in his car, had sex, and that’s when she received a call from her daughter. Minutes later, Rob called her. She said that Emmett asked to speak to Rob, and had threatened him.
Premeditated Murder?
Rob then decided to go to the Walgreens. He can first be seen pulling into the lot, and parked facing the building. He then goes inside, and appears to be looking for Kandi and Emmett in the aisles.
Rob then walks back out, and backs into the parking space. At 10pm, Kandi and Emmett arrive back at Walgreens.
Kandi said that there was no altercation, but that Emmett and Rob did stand face to face. She stood there thinking it was ridiculous, until she heard the gun shots. Kandi ran over to Rob, and tossed the gun.
The police asked Kandi about her relationship with Emmett. At first, she denied having an affair. However, the police found printed emails between Kandi and Emmett, in Rob’s car. It was apparent that they had been having an affair. Kandi then decided to tell them the truth.
The Conviction
Before Rob’s trial, evidence came back that proved Rob was the only one who pulled the trigger on the gun.
Rob was initially charged with first degree murder, but at his trial, there wasn’t enough evidence to convince the jury that the murder was premeditated.
On October 25, 2012, Rob Hall was found guilty of second degree murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Kandi was not charged in connection to Emmett’s murder.
Rob Hall’s mugshot
Other
Rob’s conviction was upheld, after he tried to overturn his conviction, and to get a new trial.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m not sure how there wasn’t enough evidence to convict Rob of first degree murder. He brought a gun to Walgreens, and had printed emails in his truck. In my opinion, that seems like premeditation.
Emmett isn’t completely innocent in all of this, but he didn’t deserve to be killed. Rob maintains that Emmett shot him first, and now Kandi is on Rob’s side. I don’t think Emmett shot Rob, but maybe he did threaten him like Kandi had said. It’s really hard for me to believe anything Kandi says. Now, five children are living without their father, and my heart breaks for them.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/emmett-corrigan-murder-where-is-rob-hall-now/
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article111957502.html
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/id-supreme-court/1754221.html
https://www.thatslife.com.au/cheating-husband-shot-emmett-corrigan
