It makes me sick to read what happened to her. I have a lot going on with my parents, so I have been MIA for a bit and haven't been keeping up with what's going on with this case, but I'm wondering why the DA hasn't upgraded the charges to capital murder?
One thing that did catch my eye is that Dustin Hilt's attorney is Paul Cramm. Paul Cramm represented Edwin Hall in the Kelsey Smith murder case. Carl Cornwell joined Cramm once the charges were upgraded to capital murder. If I am reading this correctly, Dustin Hilt is the only one of these three that has not confessed to killing Keighley.
Back when I was at the courthouse following the Edwin Hall hearings, I left confused more times than not. Not one time did Cramm or Cornwell say their client was innocent. In fact, at one press conference, they talked about Kelsey and her family. If I remember correctly, someone here (maybe Luke or Lola) uncovered the fact that Cramm and Carl Cornwell took this case to save Edwin Hall from getting the DP ... and that they have a history of doing this. I don't remember for sure, but I think Cramm worked with Cornwell at one point in time.
IMO, this might happen...
Since Hilt hasn't confessed, his charges will be upgraded to capital murder. If Carl Cornwell shows up on the scene, then I am sure this is what's going on. Cramm and Cornwell are only there to keep Hilt off death row.
All three of these guys can be charged in federal court and in Missouri. So, IMO, all three of these guys are going to be offered a plea deal of some sort. They'll take it and in exchange, they'll cut a deal so they won't be charged in the federal court system (where they will be put to death) ... and maybe this will include MO. I think that Hilt's charges may be the only one that's upgraded because of his failure to confess. Part of the plea deal for Maxttox and Calbeck will be they will have to testify against Hilt. IMO, they'll all end up with LWOP ... and Hilt will not be on death row.
Kansas hasn't put anyone to death since the mid-60's, but MO and the feds will certainly do this, and their attorney's know this.
This is only speculation on my part, but from what went on with Hall, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the same thing doesn't play out with these guys. The bottom line is all three of these guys are toast. The good thing is we now have a competent DA in office, so these guys should be worried. Steve Howe knows his stuff. It's so nice to not think about what's going on in our DA's office. I can't tell you what a zoo it was around here when Kline was in office. Howe is doing his job, and that's a relief to the citizens of this county.