Guide Note:
On July 23, 2008, Edwin Hall, 27, pleaded guilty to the June 2007 murder of 18 year-old Kelsey Smith. Hall pleaded guilty to capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, rape and aggravated sodomy. According to reports, his plea deal avoided having to go to trial and potentially face a death sentence. Hall is scheduled for sentencing on September 16, 2008.1
Fast Facts:
- Hall is from Kansas
- Hall allegedly kidnapped Kelsey Smith when she was leaving a Target store
- Smith was caught on security cameras leaving the store
- Smith was missing for four days
- Smith's body was found naked near a lake on June 6, 2007
- Hall was charged as a suspect on June 7, 2007
- Hall pleaded guilty on July 23, 2008
- Hall faces life in prison without parole
- Hall was 26 when the kidnapping and murder occurred
- Hall had no previous criminal record
Kelsey Smith Goes Missing
On June 2, 2008, 18 year-old Kelsey Smith, who had recently graduated from high school, was abducted from a Target parking lot. Smith was at the store to buy wrapping paper and a scrapbook before heading to a graduation party. At around 7:09 p.m., Smith was caught on security cameras leaving the store and walking to her car. When she was about to get in the car, cameras caught someone behind her, forcing her in the vehicle.
Two hours later, a witness saw someone park Smith's car further down from the mall near a Macy's. Cops searched the car and discovered her purse and purchases from the store. Both her ATM card and cell phone were missing. With the use of cell phone pings, cops were able to trace Smith's whereabouts and discover her body four days later.2
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