Laura Law

[Kane]

Tonight, Unsolved Mysteries aired a rerun of Laura Law. She was wanted for the March 2001 murder of her boyfriend Michael Tlusty. When the segment was first broadcast in September of 2002, it ended with an update, announcing her capture. Her arrest took place in July of that year, shortly after the show completed filming the segment.

The following link is from July of 2003. It mentions that, after pleading guilty to first-degree reckless homicide, she was sentenced to 24 years in prison. (In April of 2003, she pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide.) Additionally, she was sentenced to six years of extended supervision.

http://www.1075therock.com/news/archive/00000259.php

[Brent88]

Thanks Kane! When I saw the update tonight, I wondered how the case finally turned out.

[Kane]

Originally posted by Brent88
Thanks Kane! When I saw the update tonight, I wondered how the case finally turned out.

I'm guessing that you were probably going to post a topic about Laura Law, and ask about any possible follow-up stories beyond the update shown. Well, thanks to me, you don't have to.

Anyway, you are welcome.

[unsolvedmysteriesfan]

They aired it today and said she will be eligible for release in 2026.

[MegtheEgg86]

I don't see why she murdered him just over disagreements with her gambling problem; that doesn't exactly seem like a "big enough" reason to kill your boyfriend (he was her boyfriend, right, not her husband?). Did anyone catch anything more than that? The only likely scenario I can think of is that maybe one of their arguments grew abnormally heated and Law grabbed the weapon, impassioned, and shot him "without thinking."

I don't know. Just thinking out loud.

[asquinas]

Originally Posted by MegtheEgg86

The only likely scenario I can think of is that maybe one of their arguments grew abnormally heated and Law grabbed the weapon, impassioned, and shot him "without thinking."

Are you saying grabbed the weapon from Tlusty or just grabbed a weapon? Either way, it sounds like your making excuses for a female killer.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by asquinas

Are you saying grabbed the weapon from Tlusty or just grabbed a weapon? Either way, it sounds like your making excuses for a female killer.

These aspects lead me to the conclusion that Law didn't commit a premeditated murder:

1. Law had not committed a previous murder, nor did she even have a violent past prior to the event.

2. Law did seem to have a problem controlling impulse, evident in her wild gambling habit.

3. She hid Tlusty's body in a shed and grew quickly agitated and panicky whenever the shed was mentioned. (I kept thinking of Herb Baumeister---remember when the bodies turned up in his backyard? He had a ready and not completely implausible explanation, and was by all accounts cool as a proverbial cucumber when he provided it.)


Whether or not Law grabbed a weapon from Tlusty or simply grabbed a weapon is irrelevant. From what I glean from the segment, the murder seems to point to a "crime of passion." I'm not making an excuse for Law because she's a female; I'm simply "calling it like I see it."

[Fletch]

I find it appalling that she only got 24 years in prison. She should have gotten life, no question about it.

[mphs95]

From what I know of the case, it was a "crime of passion". Crimes of Passion tend to be 2nd degree murder, depending on what the law of the state is. She probably pleaded to get a lesser charge, and the state probably wanted to save the taxpayers money. Roughly 90% of all criminal cases ended up pleaded out for taxpayer reasons and sometimes circumstantial evidence.

[Hissing pines]

Not a one of you have a clue. Laura left arkdale and stayed with us. The truth of that day and what lead up to it has never been revealed. Laura should not be in prison. It's not as it appears.

[Hissing pines]

Clueless

[jets4life]

Originally Posted by Hissing pines

Not a one of you have a clue. Laura left arkdale and stayed with us. The truth of that day and what lead up to it has never been revealed. Laura should not be in prison. It's not as it appears.

Can you elaborate?

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Originally Posted by Hissing pines

Not a one of you have a clue. Laura left arkdale and stayed with us. The truth of that day and what lead up to it has never been revealed. Laura should not be in prison. It's not as it appears.

Hi, welcome to the boards!

We’d love to hear the information you know. In my opinion, this is a pretty open group that is willing to hear new information. If you can shed some light on this, we’re certainly open to hearing it!