Clark Smith admits to killing Kristen Edwards

For the first time since being charged with murder, Clark Smith stood before a judge.

Unlike his arrest Friday, he was unable to hide his face in court Monday morning, sitting just feet away from the family of Kristen Edwards.

"He killed my baby," Angie Ponce sobbed aloud as Clark Smith appeared into a Barren County District courtroom.

At the immediate sight of her daughter's killer, Ponce did everything she could to control herself.

"Everything in me wanted to attack him, but I don't want to be the type of person he is."

Clark Smith is charged with killing 22-year-old Kristen Edwards before putting her body inside a tote bag and dumping it in the Green River.

Kristen's younger sister sat beside her mother, part of a large support group, seeing justice through.

"She was so positive. She trusted everyone and loved everyone," remembered 14-year-old Alex Calix.

In a court document released Monday, police said Smith admitted to killing Edwards before disposing of her body and personal items.

Her date of death is listed as July 14, at EP Terry Estates in Cave City. It's the apartment complex where Smith lived. It's also the place where Kristen Edwards' grandmother lived. In fact, the two lived next door to each other.

Kristen knew Smith and went inside his apartment at times to use his computer according to her grandmother.

Details the family has mixed emotions about hearing.

After having a not guilty plea entered on his behalf, the confessed killer walked past the mother of two's family one last time. A sight they'll want to forget, but for a cause they can't.

"I feel empty. I don't want to do anything. I think about her everyday when I wake up. There won't ever be a day when I don't think about her," said Calix.

"She was 4'11", tiny, sweet, and helpless against this man. I don't understand. I don't think I'll ever understand," added Ponce.

A not guilty plea was entered on Smith's behalf by a judge since his charges are felonies and can only be resolved in circuit court.

Smith is charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.

Next for Smith is a preliminary hearing on August 30. It will be the first chance the family and the rest of the public will have to hear how Clark Smith was made a suspect and ultimately arrested.

They admit it's going to be hard, but Kristen Edwards' family says they'll be there and also at every other court hearing that involves Clark Smith from now on.

Edwards body was found on July 23, nine days after a court document says she died.