Suspected killer of Brit who ‘travelled to US to be murdered’ points main replace
Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, was found dead in woods in Marion Oaks, Florida, USA after allegedly travelling to the US to meet a man from a fetish website
A lawyer representing the man charged with murdering Brit Sonia Exelby after she allegedly travelled to the US with the intention of being killed has provided an update on the case.
Attorney Julia Williamson shared the development prior to Dwain Hall’s next anticipated court appearance in February and his arraignment – where a defendant is formally notified of charges against them – on Tuesday. She stated: “I filed a written plea of not guilty. This will stand until we receive Discovery, the evidence the government has against Mr Hall.”
Ms Williamson revealed there had been some postponement in proceedings due to Hall being detained on minor charges relating to credit card usage, but that the case had been dismissed and recommenced. Hall has subsequently been charged with homicide and kidnapping in connection with Sonia’s death.
“At this time my client will be maintaining his right to silence concerning all aspects of the allegations,” Ms Williamson continued. “Perhaps in the future there will be a statement to the friends and family of Ms Exelby.
“I express my condolences to all who grieve from this tragic loss. I know it is a painful for all involved.”
Sonia’s remains were discovered in a burial site in woodland in Marion Oaks after she failed to book a return flight on October 13. Investigators have accused Florida resident Hall, 53, of sexually abusing, torturing and murdering Sonia, 32, from Portsmouth, reports the Mirror.
Her relatives revealed she battled mental health issues and touched down in the US on October 10 following alleged communications with a man she encountered on a fetish platform. Their exchanges reportedly evolved from discussions about bondage and suicide to Sonia voicing a wish to be killed by another person.
Post-mortem examination findings showed Sonia perished after being knifed four times. Police apprehended Hall after allegedly discovering him using her payment cards.
A sworn statement, a legal document utilised in the US as court evidence, stated Hall initially refuted knowing Sonia before purportedly confessing to collecting her and transporting her to an Airbnb. Additional documentation secured by Fox32 includes automatic number plate recognition systems that detected Hall’s motor vehicle at Gainsville airport around Sonia’s arrival time.
Custody papers stated Sonia “left evidence on her computer indicating she was suicidal and travelling to the United States to be sexually abused, tortured and possibly murdered.”
Hall allegedly acknowledged during police questioning that he and Sonia “discussed bondage, suicide and her desire to have someone kill her.”
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