Police: Arrest Made In Kelsey Smith Homicide

Kansas City Channel ^ | 6/6/07

[peggybac]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- An arrest has been made in the homicide investigation of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith.

Late Wednesday night, police said Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe, was being held in the Johnson County Jail in connection with the slaying of Smith.

Law enforcement crews combing a large wooded area near Longview Lake Wednesday found a body believed to be missing teenager Kelsey Smith, who was abducted from an Overland Park Target store parking lot Saturday night.

Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass said Smith's body was found about 1:30 p.m. across the state line near Grandview, Mo., about 20 miles east of the abduction site.

Positive identification was pending, but Douglass said volunteer searchers could stop their work. He did not say how the woman was slain, but KMBC reported that there were signs of trauma to the body.

"As I understand she was found at a wooded area, but I can't say whether she was directly concealed by bushes," Douglass told reporters during an afternoon news conference.

[peggybac]

D.A. Phill Kline who is hated by all Dems and RINOs in Kansas will work his ass off to make sure this piece of s**t goes nowhere. With kidnap, murder, 2 states involved, I have a feeling he’ll get the death penalty, if he’s convicted in Kansas. I wish Kelsey’s cop father could get to him first.

[Dumpster Baby]

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2007/06/update_on_kelse_1.html

Wednesday, June 06, 2007 Update on Kelsey Smith: An arrest is made

UPDATED, from the 11:30 p.m. news conference: Chief John Douglass, again, is the first speaker. Introduces representatives from several agencies.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe has been arrested in the case. Charges will be filed early Thursday morning. In custody at the JoCo jail. Douglass won't talk about the evidence. Arrest made middle of the afternoon. He's the guy from the video, shown leaving the store, Douglass says. Can't say what led them to him. Won't say where they found him.

Say they believe they've located the truck. Hall has a lawyer, though we don't have a name.

Still unclear whether this involves the Belton case.

Condolences to the family: "While we cannot give their daughter back, we can give them justice."

JoCo DA Kline says they'll file premeditated murder and aggravated kidnapping charges Thursday morning. "This community has lost a vibrant and promising life."

Kline notes: Hall is still presumed innocent under law. "We must respect that constitutional presumption." Hall's first appearance will be probably be on Friday. Information will be less forthcoming because they're trying to ensure a fair trial.

Kelsey's dad speaks: Thanks law enforcement, the community, folks who got the information out. They ask not to be asked questions.

The conference ends about 11:44 p.m.

[peggybac]

I checked and didn’t find anything.

[dragnet2]

The story didn't seem clear. The image of the young man exiting the store is not the suspect in custody, right?

Am I correct to assume he is still being sought as a person of interest?

[wardaddy]

I just lectured my wife and daughters about never ever get in the car...my young boys too.

risk getting shot or stabbed but do not ever go peacably to the car

never

it is a one way ticket

better to go out trying than on your knees brutalized in terror

i’d like some hole time with this boy....him and those Knoxville feral beasts too

it’s be a pleasure

makes one understand why back on frontier days folks got strung up by angry decent folk....like the man burners on Lonesome Dove

[Theresawithanh]

My heart aches for this family, losing their loved one at such a young age.

Prayers for comfort and strength for the Smith family and Kelsey’s friends.

[peggybac]

Yes, the guy leaving Target with the white T-shirt is the same guy they arrested.

[Dumpster Baby]

He's the guy from the video, shown leaving the store, Douglass says.

It looks like they ID'd the guy in the video and got him.

[eyedigress]

Me neither, just a thought. Missouri maybe

[wardaddy]

she was somebody’s baby....damn...just awful

[dragnet2]

“He’s the guy from the video, shown leaving the store, Douglass says. Can’t say what led them to him. Won’t say where they found him.”

Got it.

[dragnet2]

I just read another link to a story where they said another person of interest is possibly being sought. Do you know if that is correct?

[peggybac]

I tried: http://www.familywatchdog.us/Search.asp and put in all the states. Only one Edwin Hall in another state with another middle name was found.

[Politicalmom]

I have taught my children it is better to get shot or stabbed where you stand than to get in a car with someone.

It’s hard having to teach a five year old something like that.

[peggybac]

Wow, you have a BEAUTIFUL family, wardaddy!

[Dumpster Baby]

I haven’t seen that yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Punks usually run in packs for mutual support and sharing the fun and games. The true serial killers are the hardest ones to catch, and this guy seems to leave a clear trail everywhere he goes (arrest record).

[WasDougsLamb]

Great! One less murdering pig on our streets. Question is, will they keep him or let him out after a slap on the wrist to kill another child??????

[dayglored]

> she was somebody’s baby....damn...just awful

My daughter is going to turn 14 this summer, and I can only imagine the awful horror and grief that poor family is going through, losing their daughter especially like this to some evil animal.

A good night to hug all our kids, and tell them we love them. And like you said in #25, teach 'em to never, ever, let somebody get them into the car.

My heart goes out to Kelsey's family; may their grief be eased in time. And may the evil scumbag find nothing but pain and suffering for the rest of his days; and may they be few, so that he can reap his reward in Hell all the sooner.

[IM2MAD]

One strategy would be to throw the keys to your car as far away as possible or kick them under a car. Anything to keep from being dragged into the car.

[peggybac]

D.A. Phill Kline would hang the guy himself if he could. He’s not a liberal wussy - the Dems and RINOs in Kansas hate him. He’ll spare nothing. If a Johnson County, KS jury convicts him, he’s toast. A trial in KCMO would probably be nothing. Too many libs in the city.