A Florida man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of British woman Sonia Exelby, whom he allegedly met on a fetish website. Dwain Hall, 54, appeared in court on Wednesday to deny charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Details of the Case
According to police documents, Sonia Exelby, from Portsmouth, traveled to Florida in October last year. The documents suggest she may have gone there "to be possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered." Her remains were later discovered in a shallow grave in a wooded area.
An autopsy revealed that Ms. Exelby died from four stab wounds. Hall initially claimed he did not know her but later admitted they had engaged in sexual activity.
Court Proceedings
During a brief court appearance, a judge outlined the trial timeline. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on November 16 in Marion County, Florida. The trial is expected to last approximately one week.
Ms. Exelby failed to board her return flight to London on October 13, prompting a search. Her family expressed concerns about her mental health, stating she was in a potentially vulnerable situation after communicating with a man on a fetish website.
For emotional support, the Samaritans can be reached 24/7 at 116 123, via email at jo@samaritans.org, or through their website.
