Prosecutors: Kelsey Smith was Strangled
Prosecutors: Kelsey Smith was Strangled Save Email Print
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Prosecutors say Kelsey Smith was strangled.

Johnson County District Attorney's Office spokesman Brian Burgess said today that some type of ligature was used to strangle Smith after she was abducted from a Target store last Saturday.

He did not specify exactly what was used to kill the 18-year-old Smith, or give details of how or where it happened.

Prosecutors may seek the death penalty for Edwin Hall, the 26-year-old Olathe man charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in Smith's death. His bond is set at five million dollars.

District Attorney Phill Kline did not rule out moving the case to federal court. Kline said that he does not necessarily believe Smith was killed in Kansas. Smith's body was found in Missouri.

More than 500 people turned out at a memorial gathering Thursday night to honor slain Overland Park teenager Kelsey Smith.

It was held at Shawnee Mission West High School, where the 18-year-old graduated a few weeks ago. Winds were too strong for the candlelight vigil that was planned.
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Posted by: jenny valorie Location: pittsburgh pa on Apr 5, 2008 at 10:36 AM
my heart just breaks for her and her famiy for someone to take away a young soul they should give that guy to her family and let them kill him
Posted by: Judy B Location: Waterbury, CT on Jun 17, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Condolences to the Smith family. He needs the death penalty. With all the money our towns DO NOT HAVE, they should at least invest in cameras on every block. The money saved would be phenomenal. Cases solved more quickly, drug transactions would be narrowed and less man hours on the street would benefit everyone.
Posted by: Jeff G Location: Kansas on Jun 12, 2007 at 09:21 AM
My heart goes out to the smith family .May god bless you all . And one day we will all be in the arms of god .What a beautiful reunion that will be .To be in the arms of our loved ones again
Posted by: Shelley Location: Denver,Colorado on Jun 9, 2007 at 04:31 PM
It is hard for me to even imagine what Kelsey's family must be going through right now.I keep thinking of how quickly someones life could change instantly because of some SICKO like Edwin Hall.My thoughts and prayers to The Smith Family.
Posted by: ANONYMOUS Location: NJ on Jun 9, 2007 at 03:34 PM
DEATH PENALTY IS WHAT HE DESERVES
Posted by: JC Location: Florida on Jun 9, 2007 at 11:39 AM
LET'S ALL TORTURE THIS MONSTER & LET HIM SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE. I HOPE HE'S GETTING A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE RIGHT NOW IN JAIL. I SAY WE FIRST TORTURE, SLOWLY TORTURE HIM SINCE THAT'S WHAT HE LIKES TO DO TO OTHERS, AND THEN EXTERMINATE THE MONSTER. HE NEEDS TO BE AMONG THE DEAD, CUZ HE SURE DOESN'T NEED TO BE AMONG THE LIVING. HE'S A DEAD SOUL, SO PUT HIM OUT OF HIS LIVING MISERY!!! AND SAVE OUR TAX $$ TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. JUST ANOTHER PARASITE ON EARTH.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Pennsylvania on Jun 8, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Why do people like this continue to keep walking this earth? As a mother myself....I want to somehow rid this earth of the evil, sick minds that prey on our babies....what has created these monsters??
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 8, 2007 at 07:00 PM
well the death penalty only means he will live another ten or twelve years before his appeals run out, sad really
Posted by: lena Location: tucson on Jun 8, 2007 at 04:36 PM
i live all the way in tucson arizona and the tradgedy of kelsey smiths story has deeply moved me.i do not know her but i am touched by what she must have went through and what her family is going through. it has inspired me to appreciate life a little more and to not take for granted all the things in life. and to top it off, i signed up for kick boxing! it scares me because it could happen to any one. i just gratuated high school two weeks ago and i always think things like that couldn't happen to me. thanks for everything kelsey and her family.
Posted by: Susan Werle Location: Pocono's Pa on Jun 8, 2007 at 04:35 PM
My heart goes out to the family of Kelsey Smith.I will keep you all in my prayers.
Posted by: Milay Location: Miami, FL on Jun 8, 2007 at 02:25 PM
I'm in pure shock how society has lost all feeling towards other humans. My prayers are with the family and I also believe Hall should be punished to the extent of the law "Death Penalty"
Posted by: ANONYMOUS Location: LOS ANGELES on Jun 8, 2007 at 01:09 PM
GIVE EDWIN R. HALL DEATH PENALTY KILL HIM HE DONT DESERVE TO BE ALIVE LIKE HE SAID ON HIS MYSPACE PAGE THAT HIS INTERESTS WERE TO EAT SMALL CHILDREN AND KILL SMALL ANIMALS WHY NOT GIVE HIM A TASTE OF THAT!!! TRASH LIKE THAT DONT DESERVE TO BE ALIVE!!!
Posted by: Alison Prekopy Location: Tarc on Jun 8, 2007 at 11:59 AM
I am so sorry it happen I think he should be put to death thanks alison
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