Skiers take note of conviction in deadly collision

"This is really a bummer. Any time you go on the hill you take a risk, and people get out of control all the time. It's not going to be any fun anymore," said Bryan Wilson, another longtime skier.

Witnesses said Hall, 21, was skiing very fast in poor conditions when he collided with Alan Cobb on April 20, 1997. Cobb died minutes later of head injuries.

"Today our ski slopes in Colorado and the world have been made safer," Deputy District Attorney John Clune said. "You can't recklessly ski and hurt somebody. I think the whole world should pay attention to this."

Hall's lawyer, Brett Heckman, said the jury sent a message to skiers to slow down, "and unfortunately, Alan had to be the messenger."

The death of Cobb, and the subsequent deaths of Michael Kennedy, Sonny Bono and several other skiers, was followed by a crackdown on reckless skiers at several major resorts.

Hall, who remained free on bond, could receive up to six years in prison at his sentencing Jan. 4. District Attorney Mike Goodbee would not say whether he would ask for jail time.

Hall, of Chico, Calif., had been charged with reckless manslaughter, a more serious count that carries a sentence of up to 16 years. After 18 hours of deliberations, the jury, all skiers or snowboarders, decided to convict him of the lesser charge.

Hall did not testify, but jurors were played an audio tape made after the accident in which he said he was out of control and unable to stop before colliding with Cobb.

On the tape, Hall described himself as an expert skier who had always been able to stay in control. "It was just this one time," he said. The tape was made at an emergency room without his knowledge.

"I think about Alan and his family every day," Hall said after the verdict. "I am just thankful it is over. I hope for a brighter future for everyone. I have a lot of strong feelings and comments I want to make, but not at this time."

Prosecutors had asked the jury to convict Hall to send a message that reckless conduct would not be tolerated.

"How many more people have to die on our mountains until one person is held accountable?" Clune said.

Heckman argued it was not uncommon for skiers to lose control and said Hall should not be convicted of a felony because of a tragic accident.

James Chalat, a Denver attorney and ski law specialist, called the verdict appropriate. "I do think it is good for the industry and the state that he was tried and I do think that it sends a message," he said.

"I would like to thank the jury," Chris Hall, the defendant's mother, said through tears. "This has been a very difficult time for everyone."

Christie Neville, Cobb's fiancee, said she was relieved. "It's been a long time coming, but Alan has finally had his day in court. Alan would have wanted something positive to come from this."