Smith’s family attends Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. The teenager’s disappearance and murder in June drew worldwide attention.
Edwin R. Hall, 27, of Olathe, is accused of kidnapping Smith on June 2 from a Target parking lot. Hall was arrested June 6, the same day that Smith’s body was found in a wooded area and the same day that a previously scheduled prayer vigil was held at the church.
Greg and Missey Smith, Kelsey’s parents, told local media they hope the trial date will not be changed, noting that the long delay has been difficult. “But we’ve got a lot of people supporting us and praying for us, so we’ll make it through,” Greg Smith said.
Hall’s trial originally was set for January 14, but the date was moved back when defense attorneys in the death penalty case said they could not be ready in time.