Edwin R. Hall Pleads Guilty to kidnapping, Raping, Sodomizing and Murdering Kelsey Smith

18 year old Kelsey Smith had gone missing on June 2, 2007. She had been abducted and forced into a car according to reports. Kelsey Smith’s body was later found four days later and 26 year old Edwin R. Hall was arrested on charges of first degree murder and kidnapping.

Justice for Kelsey Smith, May She Rest in Peace

Finally justice has been served for Kelsey Smith. Edwin R. Hall has plead guilty to kidnapping, raping and sodomizing her and then strangling Kelsey Smith with her own belt. Edwin R. Hall will now spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. At least there is one less predator off the streets that will never kill again. In the end the surprise guilty plea by Hall and the plea deal that was made was probably for the best outcome for the family of Kelsey Smith. They have lost their loved one, why would anyone want to have to hear what happened all over again and a defense attorney attempting to make Hall the victim. Also, now that there is no death penalty on the table, there will be no appeals. Edwin R. Hall gets to spend the rest of his life in anonymity in prison so that no one ever has to hear his name again.

As Hall stood and said “guilty” to each of the charges — capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, rape and aggravated sodomy — Missey Smith clutched pictures of her slain daughter.

When Hall said “guilty” the first time, she collapsed on the shoulder of her husband, Greg. After the fourth time, the two hugged and cried.

District Judge Peter Ruddick plans to sentence Hall on Sept. 16. The 27-year-old Olathe man will spend his life in prison with no chance of parole.

After the pleas, District Attorney Phill Kline laid out the evidence he would have presented at a trial. Smith’s DNA was found on a stain inside the zipper flap of Hall’s shorts. The chance that the DNA was anyone but Smith’s was one in over 280 billion.

Kline obtained the plea by taking the death penalty off the table. Hall also has waived all of his appeal rights, Kline said.

Edwin R. Hall will never be a free men ever again.

What makes this crime even more reprehensible than it already was that 26 year old Edwin R. Hall, at the time, thought he was going to commit these heinous acts against a 12 year old girl. In other words, Hall was not just a sex offender, his intent was to be a child sex offender.

“Nice legs,” Hall thought when he noticed the girl who had graduated from high school 10 days before.

When she turned and he saw her face, he thought she looked liked a 12-year-old. It was early in the evening of June 2, 2007. He narrowed in.

Man Pleads Guilty to Rape, Murder of Kelsey Smith

UPDATE I: ‘See No Evil’ … Investigation Discovery Channel Premieres Tonight with Episode on the 2007 Abduction & Murder of Overland Park Teenager Kelsey Smith (VIDEO)