OLATHE, Kan. (AP) _ A judge has apologized for scheduling a trial for a man accused of abducting and killing Overland Park teenager Kelsey Smith on the one-year anniversary of the crime.
Johnson County Judge Peter Ruddick told Smith's family Wednesday that he was unaware of the significance of June 2nd when he set the trial date for Edwin Hall.
He said he expected to set a new trial date next month for Hall. Lawyers for the 27-year-old Olathe man had requested the change.
Hall is charged with capital murder, rape, kidnapping and sodomy. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Hall is convicted.