luvbeaches
New Member
That was hard to watch. I hope her family and friends will be able to begin the process of healing. This is just so sad.
A couple of things were discussed that I'd not heard in the past. The defense talked about Hall's childhood and the abuse he suffered at the hands of relatives.
I personally felt that the defense knew from the beginning that Hall was guilty. At one of the very first press conferences, they made a couple of strange statements (talking about Kelsey and not forgetting her). But during this hearing, the defense said that Hall maintained his innocence for 10 1/2 months. In late April or early May Hall accepted responsibility for his actions.
Cramm was angry and asked Hall why he waited so long to tell them. I have to question this since the DNA evidence and fingerprint evidence had to have been proof that Hall was indeed lying to them.
Cramm made a comment about Hall saying that the reason he waited to long was because this was the first time Hall felt anyone cared about him and if he told what he did, he felt they wouldn't care anymore. There was gasps in the courtroom during this comment.
Althea sat there with a frown on her face. This is a first, at least in what I've seen in her behavior. I can't tell you how many hearings I sat at and watched her laugh and yak it up with people around her. IMO, she showed ZERO sympathy for the Smith family and the fact that her husband killed their daughter. Althea acted as if she was in a movie theater waiting for the flick to start...not at a murder trial. But not today. The smile was finally gone.
A family friend (Karen) spoke. It was very moving. "What if" was the focus of what she had to say.
Aunt Melody spoke. She said, "This is not the justice we would have chosen." I am not sure what she meant by this (I thought maybe she meant she wanted Hall to get the DP). She closed with, "I kept my statement brief so the murderer doesn't miss his bus."
Zack, Kelsey's brother spoke. Greg read what Zach had written. He said, "I am glad Edwin Hall is going to prison for the rest of his life."
Cody, Kelsey's sister spoke. She talked about her last day with Kelsey. They spent the day at Old Shawnee Days, and did not fight the whole day. She said she has to move forward, not get over it, but finally ok with it.
Lindsey, Kelsey's sister spoke. She talked about her wedding without Kelsey and the K-State band. She said that when she called home to tell the family that she was engages, Kelsey said, "How big is the rock?" She talked about how close they were to each other. She talked about the wrist band she now wears and how when people see this, they ask, and then they know...it's Kelsey. Then she sees the look on their face...they don't know what to say. She said she'll always be the sibling of a murder victim.
She addressed Hall and said, "Maybe God grant you what you deserve on reckoning day and I can tell you it won't be mercy then." She then closed with lyrics from a Kenny Chesney song..."It ain't fair you died too young."
Stevie, Kelsey's sister spoke. She has satisfaction knowing that Hall will spend his life behind bars. She went on to talk about the evil Hall has bestowed upon his child.
A couple of things were discussed that I'd not heard in the past. The defense talked about Hall's childhood and the abuse he suffered at the hands of relatives.
I personally felt that the defense knew from the beginning that Hall was guilty. At one of the very first press conferences, they made a couple of strange statements (talking about Kelsey and not forgetting her). But during this hearing, the defense said that Hall maintained his innocence for 10 1/2 months. In late April or early May Hall accepted responsibility for his actions.
Cramm was angry and asked Hall why he waited so long to tell them. I have to question this since the DNA evidence and fingerprint evidence had to have been proof that Hall was indeed lying to them.
Cramm made a comment about Hall saying that the reason he waited to long was because this was the first time Hall felt anyone cared about him and if he told what he did, he felt they wouldn't care anymore. There was gasps in the courtroom during this comment.
Althea sat there with a frown on her face. This is a first, at least in what I've seen in her behavior. I can't tell you how many hearings I sat at and watched her laugh and yak it up with people around her. IMO, she showed ZERO sympathy for the Smith family and the fact that her husband killed their daughter. Althea acted as if she was in a movie theater waiting for the flick to start...not at a murder trial. But not today. The smile was finally gone.
A family friend (Karen) spoke. It was very moving. "What if" was the focus of what she had to say.
Aunt Melody spoke. She said, "This is not the justice we would have chosen." I am not sure what she meant by this (I thought maybe she meant she wanted Hall to get the DP). She closed with, "I kept my statement brief so the murderer doesn't miss his bus."
Zack, Kelsey's brother spoke. Greg read what Zach had written. He said, "I am glad Edwin Hall is going to prison for the rest of his life."
Cody, Kelsey's sister spoke. She talked about her last day with Kelsey. They spent the day at Old Shawnee Days, and did not fight the whole day. She said she has to move forward, not get over it, but finally ok with it.
Lindsey, Kelsey's sister spoke. She talked about her wedding without Kelsey and the K-State band. She said that when she called home to tell the family that she was engages, Kelsey said, "How big is the rock?" She talked about how close they were to each other. She talked about the wrist band she now wears and how when people see this, they ask, and then they know...it's Kelsey. Then she sees the look on their face...they don't know what to say. She said she'll always be the sibling of a murder victim.
She addressed Hall and said, "Maybe God grant you what you deserve on reckoning day and I can tell you it won't be mercy then." She then closed with lyrics from a Kenny Chesney song..."It ain't fair you died too young."
Stevie, Kelsey's sister spoke. She has satisfaction knowing that Hall will spend his life behind bars. She went on to talk about the evil Hall has bestowed upon his child.
