Posted on 06/07/2007 6:20:41 AM PDT by badpacifist
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) - A man seen on surveillance video leaving a store shortly before a teenager was abducted in the parking lot has been arrested, hours after her body was found in a park, authorities said. Edwin R. Hall, 26, was expected to be charged Thursday morning with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass said. Kelsey Smith, 18, had been missing since Saturday night, when she went to a Target store in this Kansas City suburb to buy a gift for her boyfriend.
Surveillance video showed her being forced into her car around 7:10 p.m., and the car drove off. It was found in a nearby mall parking lot about two hours later.
Police said Hall's vehicle matched the description of a dark mid-1970s Chevrolet pickup that was seen entering the Target parking lot shortly after Smith's car.
"I want to again express my condolences to the Smith family," Douglass said. "I realize that this is not the preferred conclusion. While we cannot give them their daughter back, we can at least give them justice."
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
The limitation to carrying any kind of weapon, whether it’s a gun, knife, mace, tazer, etc. is that the person must be able to have a moment in which to utilize the tool. After reading so many books and cases about crimes such as this, the sad reality is that the victim is often taken by surprise, so even if they had a gun, they can’t access it. A person can overpower you very quickly if they have the element of surprise on their side (add speed, and greater strength, etc. and it is even better). I just wish more people were paying attention. These young kids (not this gal) are walking around talking on their cell phones and are totally oblivious to their surroundings; very, very dumb and naive.
The problem with this whistle is the same as the problem with any other device. One must be able to get to it. I doubt a whistle, gun, mace, or anything would’ve helped this girl. But until details come out, it is only a thought.
You wear it around your neck. It has a long cord so you can just grab it with one hand and blow.
The "Kansas City metropolitan area" includes both Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS, as well as numerous suburbs on both sides of the state line, such as Independence, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and Grandview on the MO side, and Shawnee Mission, Prairie Village, Leewood, Overland Park, Lenexa, and Olathe on the KS side (and there are lots of other communities as well).
I live in Lee's Summit, MO and work in Overland Park, KS. I've got a 22 mile drive each way. From my house to the target store where she was abducted, the drive is a bit less than 30 minutes. I live less than 15 minutes from where she was found: Longview Lake spans both Grandview and Lee's Summit.
Wiki actually has a good overview: Wiki article on KC Metro Area
Mark
And then hordes of liberals trained in hand-to-hand combat will come to your rescue.
I have no problem with people having such things because I’m sure they have saved lives. Every situation is different. Unfortunately, you just made my point: one has to grab the whistle. Gacy chloroformed his victims before they even knew there was a problem (kinda hard to grab and blow a whistle) and a person can tackle you so hard or grab you so fast that before you even have time to react, you are already subdued in some way.
Actually, the best thing would be for people to be trained, ala military style, in the even of being attacked suddenly from behind. But it’s not gonna happen. Oh, which reminds me. There was a guy that women were paying lots of money to have them “attacked” some time when they least suspected it. He ran self-defense classes. I wonder whatever happened to him. Now, THAT’s how you train for something like this.
Bring back the “Rack”!!!
Thanks and Yes!
Yes they could have jurisdiction and yes they could sentence him to death. I imagine though that they'll let the states try him.
It could also be a federal death penalty case because of kidnapping. She was obviously taken across state lines.
It certainly looks that way. I don't really care how it is accomplished - if the accused is guilty, he needs to pay with his life.
Here in Kansas City, Bob "Thunder" Thurman teaches classes in self defense, the most important part of which are "situational awareness." Thurman was PKA (full contact Karate) light middle-weight world champion from 82 to 90. Counter Attactics
Mark
Reported to have long criminal record. Never received any serious punishment.
I Absolutely agree 100%. This is a wonderful idea. It is great to be asked to be escorted to your car, especially if you have a child that you have to put in a car seat. That is really an opportunity for someone like this perp to use to his advantage.
The photo shown as Edwin Roy Hall is not the photo shown on the Boston Channel website. That’s a different man.
Can you expound on this WonByHim?
I’m sorry...Devolve...could you expound on this?
A wire story said he has a wife and 4-yr. old son.
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