TurnTo23.com

 
Bakersfield News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

DA: Kansas Teen Was Strangled

Suspect Could Face Death Penalty If Convicted

POSTED: 8:26 am PDT June 8, 2007
UPDATED: 11:36 am PDT June 8, 2007

Prosecutors said Kelsey Smith, the Kansas teen who was abducted and killed over the weekend, was strangled.

Smith's body was found Wednesday. She disappeared June 2 after buying a gift at Target for her boyfriend.

Surveillance video showed someone running up behind Smith in the parking lot after she had put her shopping bag in her car.

Johnson County District Attorney's Office spokesman Brian Burgess said Friday that some type of ligature was used to strangle Smith after she was abducted.

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 R. Hall, the 26-year-old Olathe man charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in Smith's death. His bond is set at $5 million.

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 but the fact that she was abducted in Johnson County gives his office jurisdiction.

Smith's body was found in Missouri.

Using the last pinpointed signal from Smith's cell phone, searchers found her body in a wooded area near Longview Lake on Wednesday afternoon. Police said a tip from the public led to the arrest of Hall. Police said Hall was questioned on Wednesday afternoon and was arrested a few hours later. Hall's next appearance was scheduled for June 14.

Meanwhile, more than 500 people turned out at a memorial gathering Thursday night to honor Smith.

It was held at Shawnee Mission West High School, where the girl graduated a few weeks ago. Winds were too strong for the candlelight vigil that was planned.

The following are comments from our users. Opinions expressed are neither created nor endorsed by TurnTo23.com. By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use. To report an offensive or otherwise inappropriate comment, click the "Flag" link that appears beneath that comment. Flagging a comment will send it to our editorial staff for review.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

It was bound to happen. There are now applications for your cell phone that can help you avoid speeding tickets as well as traffic jams. Drive carefully. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Sponsored Links

Share Your Pics & Vids

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Job Searching Tips

Struggling to find a great job in a bad economy can be tough, but these eight tips can help improve your chances of landing a gig. More