Olathe

Attorney wants client’s confession withdrawn

An attorney for the man charged with killing Leawood teenager Ali Kemp has filed a motion seeking to have statements his client made after being arrested thrown out.

Attorney Ron Evans, head of the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit, said police took statements from Benjamin Appleby in November after he invoked his right to counsel.

Appleby, 29, is charged with capital murder for the strangulation death of Kemp, 19, in June 2002 at a Leawood swimming pool where she worked. He was arrested Nov. 8 in Connecticut, and Connecticut State Police said Appleby had confessed to the crime.

A hearing has been scheduled for May 3 on Evans’ motion, which seeks to have Appleby’s statements thrown out before his trial begins.