In surprise development today, Edwin Hall, the accused killer of Kelsey Smith plead guilty today at a hearing which originally was to hear a change of venue plea.
Hall was convicted (or convicted himself) of murder, rape, aggravated kidnapping of Kelsey Smith, 18, of Overland Park, Kansas. Kelsey was abducted from a Target store near her home. This spares Hall the death penalty and his sentence will be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
I have followed this case from the beginning in June 2007. It also drew nationwide attention.
This plea is the best possible recourse and it spares the Smith Family the ordeal of a trial, which was scheduled to take place on September 16. Instead, the sentence will be handed down on that date.
While the case involving Hall is just about over, the work to prevent other occurrences such as this goes on. The Smith Family has established the Kelsey Smith Foundation www.kelseysarmy.org and is doing wonderful work in Kelsey's honor and memory.
There is no joy in today's outcome, but at least justice has been done that's humanly possible. As D.A. Phill Kline said, "This should never have happened."
It is my intention to do whatever I can to aid the Foundation. Once I am gainfully employed, I intend to do a lot more.
Kansas City Star Article: Guilty Plea Ends Case
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