Murder Charges Filed In Kansas Teen Death

26-Year-Old Man Faces First-Degree Murder And Kidnapping Charges One Day After Girl Was Found Dead

(CBS/AP)  A man videotaped leaving a store in this Kansas City suburb shortly before a teenager was abducted in the parking lot was charged with murder Thursday, authorities said.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, was accused of premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, the Johnson County Court Web site said. Bond was set at $5 million.

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline said Thursday he would consider seeking the death penalty.

Hall, looking tired and downcast, appeared Thursday in court via video feed from jail. He waived reading of the charges until he can hire his own attorney. His next appearance was scheduled for June 14.

The charges came a day after Smith's body was found in the woods. She had been missing since Saturday night, when she went to the Target store in Overland Park to buy a gift for her boyfriend.

Surveillance video showed her being forced into her car around 7:10 p.m., and the car driving off. It was found in a nearby mall parking lot about two hours later.

Police Chief John Douglass said Hall appeared to be the same person shown in the video leaving the Target soon after Smith. He was wearing a white T-shirt, sneakers, shorts and a goatee.

“This community has lost a vibrant and promising life, and a family has suffered unimaginable tragedy,” Kline said.

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.”

Detectives said a tip led them to Hall, of nearby Olathe.

A next-door neighbor of Hall contacted police when he saw the man's pickup in a surveillance video, he said.

Cameron Migues, 30, said he and his wife laughed when they noticed a similarity between Edwin R. Hall and the man pictured in the video. But then the video of the truck was released, and “we put two and two together,” said Migues, who called a police hot line Wednesday morning.

“The worst part is I just talked to him Monday,” he said. “We were talking about cars.”

Neighbor Harold Barry, 50, said he was surprised when he heard Hall had been arrested. Hall recently helped him repair his pickup truck, he said.

“If I can go see him, I will see if I can help him out,” said Barry, who added that Hall seemed especially close to his son.

“He loved his son his so much,” Barry said. “He had his small kid in that truck every time I saw him.”

Police received more than 500 tips and questioned numerous people, including Hall, police said. He was arrested at the end of his interview Wednesday.

If convicted, he would face a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the murder charge and more than 12 years for aggravated kidnapping, said Brian Burgess, spokesman for the Johnson County district attorney's office.

Douglass said police had received more than 500 tips in the case and had questioned numerous people, including Hall, who was arrested at the end of his interview Wednesday.

Douglass said there was no evidence that Hall and Smith knew each other. He declined to offer a motive for the attack or to specify whether investigators had determined that Smith was killed in Kansas, where the murder charge was filed.

Police found Smith's body in a wooded area near Grandview, Missouri, about 20 miles east of the Target store. Authorities have not say how she died.

Officers had been searching the lake area since Tuesday after tracing signals from Smith's cell phone. Investigators isolated two signals from an area in south Kansas City, Missouri.

Hall and his wife, Aletha, and a 4-year-old son lived in south Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.

“Just a nice young family,” former neighbor Sarale Russ told The Kansas City Star. “Nothing unusual.”

Meanwhile, a MySpace page that appears to be that of a man accused of kidnapping and killing a teenager contains some bizarre references that turn more disturbing in light of the criminal charges.

The general interests include “eating small children and harming small animals,” but also photography and painting and wanting “to own my own company someday.” The author describes himself as a “Sweet Troubled Soul.”

He uses only the name “Jack,” which Edwin R. Hall is known by to neighbors, and the picture he posted strongly resembles the 26-year-old. The person on the MySpace page also uses the same age and location as Hall, and a person with the same name as his wife, Aletha, has a page linked to “Jack's.”

[gunownerdan]

CRIMINALS LOVE EASY VICTIMS

a-human-right.com

packing.org

[uradufuss]

When I first saw this man's picture on CBS.com, I honestly thought that I was looking at one of those recreated models. You know, the ones that the law enforcement agencies have made when they find a body that is too decomposed to make a positive ID on. Spooky looking person!

[drummer94]

Yeah. Looks like a bad case of jaundice. Spooky is right.

[rushman71]

That look alone shows no remorse, whatsoever. Talk about sick!!!

[busyness-2009]

What do I think? I think it's a horrible tragedy!! Such a complete and utter waste.

My children are somewhat older now--16 and 12-year old sons and a 9-year old daughter--and I was beginning to give even the youngest a little bit of leeway/freedom. You would think that an 18-year old could go to a store and return without being in danger. But, that's obviously not the case. No longer will I allow my daughter to sit at the Starbucks tables in the grocery store while I shop so that she can have a snack.

I--and all of us in my generation--had MUCH more freedom when we were kids. Because of that, sometimes it seems that we as parents are overreacting with our vigilance in accounting for our children's whereabouts at all times. It appears that we can never be to vigilant.

My thoughts are with the Smith family.

[whatithink-2009]

"I--and all of us in my generation--had MUCH more freedom when we were kids."

- That's not true of everyone in your generation. I agree with the rest of your comments.

[cryonbrian]

If Osama Bin Laden were a white woman, he would have been found by now!

[blondmadison]

How many more people, elderly, adults, and children of all ages, need to die before "America" land of the Free, home of the Brave, a really greaaaatttt nation of greater than great peoples -- will admit to having a very real mental health epidemical problem--which has gone Global--

Psych-o-tic, Psych-o-path-ic, Soci-o-path-ic--villagers, killing each other for various reasons--GLOBAL PROBLEM--This is in all countries.

WHY??? CAN'T FIGURE WHY all countries are having this problem???

But you are certain you have to PAY for food, water, and shelter still, right? But you cannot figure why the villagers are going crazy and killing each other???

Maybe just the "Americans" who are sooooo great, should conduct one of their greatttttt studies...that should take about 50 years...

Still cannot reason why any of your wonderful countries are having this terrible problem?

But you are SURE you are supposed to pay for water, food and shelter?????????? Well then, are you DEAD sure???

[noaanhc]

Save Kansas the cost of a trial and kill this worthless piece of human garbage now.

[whatithink-2009]

BlondMadison,

This posting makes no sense?? Where does it say that he is mentally ill? I am confused.

[juliemd]

Jeez, his mug shot looks creepy. I say give the guy the death penalty and get him off this Earth.

[barbaraf4]

That man is a born killer. I'll bet he has killed previously.

His eyes are dead. They look like shark eyes. Look at the eyes of other killers - they all look like that. I think it has to do with having no soul.

[whatithink-2009]

Sorry, this guy has not been convicted of anything. Shouldn't people get a trial at least? I'm not saying he didn't do it, but a trial through the media is a dangerous thing.

[juliemd]

Yeah, the eyes of a serial killer-the dark, dead within.

When they finally arrested the Green River killer here in the NW a year or so ago, he was a normal looking, middle classguy, married with a nice house in the suburbs. His wife couldn't believe it until all of the forensics and other evidence became completely undeniable.

These guys are crazy like a fox...sociopaths not psychopaths...subtle difference.

[glidescube]

I wonder what this guy did for a living? I bet he loved at home with his mom.

[gunownerdan]

DEFENSELESS VICTIMS ARE EASY VICTIMS
Always be aware of your surroundings and always be prepared!

a-human-right.com

packing.org

[antoniof123]

If he is found guilty why does it have to be about justice why not vengence?

[blondmadison]

This posting makes no sense?? Where does it say that he is mentally ill? I am confused.
Posted by whatithink at 03:15 PM : Jun 07, 2007

If this person committed this crime---he went after a woman he did not know at all--he abducted this stranger in her own car---he allegedly sexually assaulted her (according to Nancy Grace last night)---and then he killed her.

And you want to think he is a sane, rational, possibly intelligent person doing this because...why? Oh. Because he is evil? And he is NOT mentally ill and NOT a Psych-o-path or Soci-o-path with violent tendancies?

Worse-everyone's solid solution is to KILL HIM? Are all of you as sane as him? That was HIS solution to get rid of a body who could identify him...now it's your solution to get rid of the body who got rid of a body?

WAKE UP AMEDIKA--YOU ARE SICK PEOPLE. YOU BREED SICK SOCIETIES BECAUSE YOU WITHHOLD LIFE SUSTAINING ELEMENTS FOR MONEY. CAN'T PAY? GO DIE. GO HOMELESS.

CREEPY NATION OF SICK SH-T. There are plenty more to pick up where that guy left off...just watch the news...there's more on the way. Your creepy way of "life" which is actually death--breeds mental illness...DUH.

[gunownerdan]

"We live in a world where more and more women are unaccompanied at odd hours, or they are vulnerable in dangerous places - a world where restraining orders are often ineffective and the police cannot be counted upon to arrive in time, if at all. In such a world, women must be able to protect themselves. In terms of both deterrence and lethal force, guns are among the most effective tools available for self-defense."
-- Mary Zeiss Stange, "Guns, like abortion, are a matter of choice"

"I'm secure enough in my self-esteem that I know I cannot handle a 150-pound guy coming at me, but I can handle a firearm to keep that man away from me."
-- Maria Heil, CNSNews.com report, 4/30/2003

Self Defense - A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
http://www.a-human-right.com

Second Amendment Sisters
http://www.2asisters.org/

Women To Arms
http://womentoarms.net/

The Concealed Carry Database
http://www.packing.org

[blondmadison]

No there is Not a subtle difference between a Soci-o-path and a Psych-o-path. That is why the Diagnotic Staticians Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, put them Both under one heading, "Anti-Social Personality Disorder".
They can both be violent. And, they can both psyche someone/s out--while busy at work doing something horrificly heinous.

[xarial]

Someone asked about a donation site.
I found this for you.

http://www.findkelsey.com/

Site moved: http://www.findkelsey.com/2007/06/site-moved.html

Hope it helps.

It's sad that this, or any life, is taken in the manner in which it was taken.

[sugarmice-2009]

BlondMadison - don't know what country you come from but your postings are the rantings/raving of someone who hates America... if you act like you write I hope you go home soon -

My heart and prayers go out to the family. I can't imagine what pain they are suffering. We just lost our father (natural causes) and the pain at times is unbearable. BUT to have someone so young ripped from life - is just unacceptable.
IF he is the guilty one - and it sure sounds like it - let's hope the lawyer who defends him has somewhere in his heart a sad spot for the family and victim and doesn't get this jerk off due to technicalities...
God Bless this family

[jennmarie620]

And you want to think he is a sane, rational, possibly intelligent person doing this because...why? Oh. Because he is evil? And he is NOT mentally ill and NOT a Psych-o-path or Soci-o-path with violent tendancies?
Posted by BlondMadison at 03:46 PM : Jun 07, 2007

___________

Just because a person can do and has done unimaginable, horrific things that make the majority of us shudder does NOT mean he is mentally ill. There are many, many sane human beings through history who have tortured people just for the fun of it - just to watch them suffer and die slowly. They lack empathy and the ability to feel remorse for their actions. That doesn't mean that they are mentally ill, that just means they're f*ck*d up.

I am bi-polar, and in no way am I or have ever been violent towards anyone.

But I am sure it will come out eventually that some psychologist somewhere has diagnosed him with schizophrenia or bi-polar or anti-social disorder.

Because human beings have to find a reason for something, even when there is no reason at all.

Senseless acts of violence are senseless for a reason - we don't have to justify everything by labeling it a mental disorder.

[blondmadison]

Posted by sugarmice at 03:55 PM : Jun 07, 2007

Truth is definetly ugly but you may not blame me.

I sound like I hate Amedika so you want me to hurry up and leave?

Where shall I go where there is no murder or criminal behavior whilst wearing regular clothing and behaving as though one were a nice person...where is this place? Name the country please or shut your face about how ugly the descriptions of how your fellow countrymen behave.

If carrying a gun were a real solution to anything---IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BY NOW. GUNS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME---THEY DON'T WORK TO CURB VIOLENCE OR CRIME. DUH PLURAL.

[jennmarie620]

If Osama Bin Laden were a white woman, he would have been found by now!
Posted by cryonbrian at 03:05 PM : Jun 07, 2007

___________________

Sad, but true. Oddly, I was thinking that earlier today. Why can't all those who have been abducted or gone missing be searched for with such diligence?

[jennmarie620]

BlondMadison ~

Crime exists everywhere in this world, not just America. And contrary to popular belief, global crime is NOT caused by America. (you give the USA too much credit for that.)

Crime is a part of humanity - it's the price we pay for evolution and self-awareness. Until we can learn how to co-exist without jealousy, greed, and lack of compassion for our neighbors then crime will continue. Humanity is too complex to say that guns cause violence or mental illness causes violence. Criminals do what they do for such a wide variety of reasons that no one could possibly list them all.

It's hatred like yours that makes crime happen.

[jolsonbear]

Vengence only destroys humanity and civilization. Hate only imprisons the hater.

[tbweb]

Just lock this dude up in jail and put him the section of the jail with criminals convicted of rape, sodamy, sexually deviant crimes and the like and the rest will take care of itself! I promise you he will wish he never layed eyes on that teen!

[blondmadison]

I used the terms Psych-o-tic, Psych-0-path-ic, and Soci-o-path-ic---because according to the definitions printed---that is what the person's behavior is.

If you want to call it "f-cked up"--fine. Call it whatever name you can come up with. Bottom line--he is sick. You don't go out and kill strangers for no reason. Sick.

How many countries have x amount of villagers killing other villagers---for how long? Since the beginning of the "culture". A culture where one had to PAY to be able to combine themselves with their own society? Yes. How many countries now have a problem with murder by the peoples?

But you still want to say it is not a mental illness?

If a brain tells a body to kill---that is a sick brain. Period.

Jeffrey Dahmer was sick.
Ted Bundy was sick.

There is no good sound rational intelligent sensible reason to kill or use weapons to kill.

So if your brain is telling you this guy should be killed for killing---go look in the mirror and ask yourself, what did that guy have going on in his brain because my brain is trying to imitate his...I must be sick too or how would I arrive at his solution too???

[jp2570]

All of this talk about insane vs. not in sane etc., is a mute point when you understand the DSM IV and the relationship between the disorders on Axis I and those on Axis two. The disorder on axis I, such as Schizophrenia, Major Depession aand the like are classified as mental illnesses and through their clinical manifestations can lead to horrible crimes. On the other hand, the disorders on Axis 2, where Antisocial Personality disorder is found, are personality disorders. Personality disorders do not excuse ones actions, they simply explain how the individual became such a person who could behave as they have. In this case, short of him being engrossed in some sort of psychosis at the time of the crime, he will be held responsible for his actions and should face the maximum penalty afforded by the laws of his state. If he carries an ASPD diagnosis, this means he has no regard for human life, is diametrically opposed to our accepted norms and forms of authority and has to have had a long history of related behaviors. Others who would have carried this diagnosis have names like Dahmer, Gacy, and Hitler. He should and will face the justice he deserves and IF he is guilty, I hope it is the maximum allowed by law, for IF he is ASPD, it is a lifelong pattern of behaviors for which there is no effective treatment. How do I know? I ran the mental health department at a major Supermax Prison for three years and have studied these individuals carefully.

[sonpowered]

This story is beyond sad. This young woman's life was just beginning. She is like an American sweetheart. Strange the comments are more about each other than the hurt and sadness this one family is going through. Many don't get searched for in this manner, but some do. It depends on the police dept and the community. This young woman's community obviously is a good one! We should have more like it in our country. There is too much anger, too much hate and not enough compassion.

[jennmarie620]

So if your brain is telling you this guy should be killed for killing---go look in the mirror and ask yourself, what did that guy have going on in his brain because my brain is trying to imitate his...I must be sick too or how would I arrive at his solution too???


Posted by BlondMadison at 04:24 PM : Jun 07, 2007

________________

When did I say he should be killed? I am against the Death Penalty 100% and have been for many years. (And before anyone can say, "Well, what if it had been your daughter who he had killed" ... i have had family members and very dear friends murdered ... i was kidnapped and raped at the age of 17 and almost killed, myself - and still am against the Death Penalty because it SOLVES NOTHING.)

But to say he is mentally ill just because he killed someone for no reason is ludicrous. He may be "sick" and yet, clinically mentally sane.

Unless you are a liscensed doctor or therapist, you are not qualified to make that statement.

[jp2570]

sonpowered,

You are right, and aside from the technicalities I expounded upon earlier, this story make me cringe. I have two young daugters and cannot fathom what the girls parents must be going through. They will never "get over" this and cannot hope to achieve any real level of understanding or justice. They are left with questions that will never be answered and with heartache that can never be mended. They are in my thoughts and I cannot express adequately the heartfelt sympathy I feel.

[gunownerdan]

Women with guns are MUCH harder to kidnap and kill.

a-human-right.com
packing.org

[blondmadison]

"He may be "sick" and yet, clinically mentally sane."

Do you FEEL like you are splitting hairs here?
Because you are.

If he has ASPD, because you are sure you are an expert--GOD KNOWS HOW MANY EXPERTS WE HAVE HAD ON THIS SUBJECT SO FAR...--then you are certain he should be put to death, right?

Love Thine Enemy For He Knows Not What He Does.
Love Thine Enemy As Thine Own Self.
Love Thine Enemy As Thine Own Brother.

Anyone one recall these guidelines???? Or no.

I am certain all of you will have a mouthfull of excuses justifying why you get to go off the path at any given time...it's because you are soooooo greaaaaatttt and Amedika is such a greeeeaaaaaaaaatttt naaaaaaaaaaaaation...of greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttt people, for sure.

[mikealford3]

Posted by BlondMadison at 04:24 PM : Jun 07, 2007

Do you agree, that if this person if found guilty or kidnapping and murdering the young lady he should be punished? If so what punishment? What punishment outside of death could possibly be harsh enough for a person who commits murder?



jennmarie620, The death penalty will solve something. It will garrantee that the murderer will not kill again and will not produce offspring.

[dogsoul]

"...and still am against the Death Penalty because it SOLVES NOTHING..."

There IS no "solution" - jailing him for the rest of his life doesn't "solve" anything either - frankly, it's more torturous than a quick death... After a fair trial, if he's found guilty - I'd be very much in favor of taking him out back & setting him on fire so that he could die a painful death as a warning to others & as revenge for his crime. Unfortunately, it takes many years & costs the public a ton of money to process a death penalty case all the way thru... that's where the system is broken - we shouldn't have to pay for this inhuman garbage to exist on this earth one more day beyond his trial if found guilty. And if he was mistakenly convicted... well hey, innocent people die all the time - on the roadways, by sickness, at the hands of predators... and considering the rarity of death by wrongful conviction compared to everything ELSE that can kill ya in this world... it's worth it.

[jennmarie620]

mikealford3 ~

Just because a person commits a crime and does horrible things does not preclude that their children will.

[tm_bailey]

mikealford3 he's already had a kid. Remember Hall is the bad guy here..."Hall and his wife, Aletha, and a 4-year-old son lived in south Kansas City, Mo., earlier this year." I'm not sure if this is his biological son, but that doesn't really matter.

My heart goes out to the Smith's family.

[blondmadison]

Do you agree, that if this person if found guilty or kidnapping and murdering the young lady he should be punished? If so what punishment? What punishment outside of death could possibly be harsh enough for a person who commits murder?

Remove the arms at the shoulders.
Sew the eyes shut.
Remove the legs at the knees.
Send him home to his village to try again to get it right. Remove the parts which have decided to be harmful to anyone at any time. Danger solved.

Thou Shalt Not Kill. Anyone remember that guidance? Or, no...

[mikealford3]

jennmarie620

I can agree with that, fine. My statement was intended to be a little sarcastic. However, if found guilty, i'd just as soon hang him from a tall tree with a short rope.

[dogsoul]

"So if your brain is telling you this guy should be killed for killing---go look in the mirror and ask yourself, what did that guy have going on in his brain because my brain is trying to imitate his...I must be sick too or how would I arrive at his solution too???"

Um... no, ya see - I want to kill this guy because he murdered an innocent young woman - in fact, if someone had managed to kill him while he was in the act of kidnapping or murdering or whatever ELSE he was doing... you might call that person a hero.... I think that's a pretty legitimate reason to want to have someone killed. How you can't see the difference between what HE was planning and why HE wanted to kill that innocent young woman and why people now want to see HIM killed boggles the imagination. He's a murdering, kidnapping, and possibly raping *** - SHE was an innocent person... clear enough for you?

[mikealford3]

Posted by BlondMadison at 04:59 PM : Jun 07, 2007

I will gladly change my mind on the death penalty if the punishments you suggest would be carried out. Actually, my sense of alternative punishment is not as harsh as yours.

[blondmadison]

I'm no bible thumper and I never will be--no organized "religion" for me thank you very much--but I do walk with the Father--and you freaks create your laws as you go along...sick.

You create your own problems doing it that way...Bacterial Mentally Ill Dump Sites for humanity.

Oh, I forgot the last one:

Sew the eyes shut.
Remove the arms at the shoulders.
Remove the legs at the knees.
Wire the jaws shut leave an opening for a straw.
Send the person home to their village to try as they might to get it right.

Thou Shalt Not Kill.
Love Thine Enemy For He Knows Not What He Does.

But I forgot, you are such a greeaaaaaattt Nation of Greater than greatest folks, you know better, right?

[dogsoul]

"Thou Shalt Not Kill. Anyone remember that guidance? Or, no... "

Ah... I see, so excruciating torture is okay by you because it technically passes the 'thou shall not kill' test? What about killing in self defense? Let's say she was packing & killed him before he could kill her? That mean she's in the wrong?

[blondmadison]

Gotta go, have a night class. I will leave you legal murderers to yourselves...YUK...Sick freaks.

You can come up with a host of reasons to kill but none of them are appropriate.

Life is precious, Major Freaks Off The Path.

[dogsoul]

"But I forgot, you are such a greeaaaaaattt Nation of Greater than greatest folks, you know better, right? "

That's okay.... stupid people such as yourself often forget important things. 'Walk with the Father' - HA! Whatta laugh... you give away your obviously self involved flakiness with THAT one...

But to answer your question, yes - on most issues and in most any context - we ARE the greatest nation this earth has ever known.... maybe not perfect, but exponentially superior to all others - including Canada, which is really more of a suburb with a Napoleon complex but still....

[mark46n]

This piece of *** relinquished his right to live the minute he killed that poor innocent young girl for no reason other then to get some kind of sick rush. My god she just graduated High School 2 weeks ago. I have no desire to see 1 penny of my hard earned money go toward keeping this piece of *** alive for the rest of his life. The sooner they strap him to the chair or gurney the better, I hope they call me to flip the switch.

[mark46n]

This piece of *** relinquished his right to live the minute he killed that poor innocent young girl for no reason other then to get some kind of sick rush. My god she just graduated High School 2 weeks ago. I have no desire to see 1 penny of my hard earned money go toward keeping this piece of *** alive for the rest of his life. The sooner they strap him to the chair or gurney the better, I hope they call me to flip the switch.

[aaabee-2009]

Thou shalt not kill works until someone with a different philosophy in life comes at you with serious intent to do harm.

Try telling an armed criminal Thou shalt not kill and see if it changes his outlook on life.

Thou shalt not kill means pointing your gun at a disabling point on the criminals body like a thigh, instead of head or chest.

That kind of Thou shalt not kill. NO commandment says Thou shalt not carry a concealed weapon.

Women have access to all kinds of protection but they choose not to use it because they believe the fairytale that violence won't happen to them. When it does, it changes their minds a few moments before they die a needless death.

And guys, get your women to protect themselves. Stuff in her purse won't help, you can't help her if you aren't there. People pretending violence won't happen to them has never stopped even one violent crime.

Don't let this pretty girl die in vain. Learn from her mistake and invest in your own protection.