Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee charged in Elizabeth Smart abduction...

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[Maedhros]

Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary in Elizabeth Smart abduction...

[bonfire]

I am sure the Smarts, or any other parent, wouldn't agree with you. You don't have kids, do you?

[Henrietta]

Thanks for info; apparently in Utah it's "aggravated" if you use a weapon, etc.

[trussell]

You propose to know the mentality of EVERY Real Estate person? WOW. When did you have the time to interview them all?

Do you personally know Mr. Smart? If not, how would you know anything about his charitable nature?

[GovernmentShrinker]

Just an interesting bit of info that I picked up on an e-mail list, from a guy who met Shirl and has copies of his writings (I've known this guy on the list for a couple of years, and am absolutely sure he's on the level). Reposted with permission:

"I had attended a Sunstone [an independent scholarly organization focused on Mormonism] session on reincarnation (what a time *that* was!) and he approached me after the session, asking if he could give me the two books. When I saw their size, I blanched a bit, but took them anyway. They are photocopied, comb-bound. I have no idea how many copies he's distributed, but I've never heard of anyone else having them. I'm glad I held on to them!"

and he described them as

"Two privately produced volumes on the subject of religion, philosophy, genetics, and huge doses of penises and vaginas. It's an incomprehensible mess. I shall treasure these volumes for ever."

Sounds like the son's little 27-pager was just a faint shadow of Dad's masterpiece.

[RecentConvert]

According to Fox News the Smarts don't want sexual assault charges filed against the Mitchells.

The Smarts may not want sexual assault charges against the Mitchells, but they are being charged with aggravated sexual assault.

[Sherlock]

Excerpt from:

http://kutv.com/specialsection/local_story_077121825.html

"``We do believe that these defendants, particularly Mitchell, should be prosecuted as a predatory sex offender,'' said District Attorney David Yocom. ``If he ever hits the streets, (he should) carry that label as a sex offender for the rest of his life. We are not dealing with just a religious zealot, we are dealing with a predatory sex offender.'' "

I am furious with the absurdity of this statement. This is a tribute to the incompetence of the Utah System of Revolving Justice. Assuming these dirtballs escape the capital punishment they deserve for the permanent damage they have ruthlessly inflicted on this child, how can this prosecutor be considering the importance of some label this scumbag will have IF HE GETS BACK OUT ON THE STREETS?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I hope the Utah legal system will finally do ONE thing right in this case and recognize they have done the Smart family ENOUGH damage and turn this case over to the federal courts to prosecute. No more Barny Fife and Howard!!!!!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Will the Feds pursue such a case?

[Illbay]

Ah, yes, "cherry." I'd forgotten what a lovable little fuzzball YOU are.

Everything you just wrote is of a piece with all the other cr*p you wrote in the early days of this tragedy.

For example, the Smarts never have solicited any of these offers for book and movie rights. You are lying now, just as you lied before about your "special knowledge" of this case.

Why don't you do the decent thing and just disappear?

[Sherlock]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,81335,00.html

Mitchell, 49, and Barzee, 57, remained in jail Monday as prosecutors weighed their case against the pair. They will likely face federal or state charges by Wednesday, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thank you for the link!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

But the family doesn't want sex assault charges to be filed, because they want to protect her. I don't know if the state will grant their wish. But, to any parent, protecting a child who has to testify seems natural. I am sure they will help her prepare and cope to the best of their ability. Otherwise, they would be neglectful.

[Grig]

If I recall correctlly, Sunstone is to Mormonism what Salon.com is to the constitution. I might be mixing it up with another organization however.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Last Christmas, while shopping for books as gifts, the bookstore was giving out John and Patsy Ramsey's book that they wrote, about their ordeal with the press, police, and the murder of their daughter. (Apparently the book didn't sell very well, so it was a free gift.)

I read the book... YUCK, I don't recommend it, it didn't bring anything new to light, only went through what was already public knowledge, and was written poorly. I was pleased that the tone was one of "taking the higher ground".

Having said all of that, I suppose there COULD be a way that the Smart family could do the same type of thing, rehash the story, and not reveal anything secret, or gossipy, too. It would depend on the publisher, and their commitment to framing the story correctly.

And yet, having read the Ramsey book, I doubt I would read the Smart book, should there be one. Just my two cents.

[Jeff Head]

Regarding the Smith family's feeling for their own daughter, niece, sister, cousin, what you wrote is absolute Bravo Sierra, total, 100% certified, IMHO.

How can you possibly feel qualified, in the know and prescient enough to make such a damning and all inclusive statement about the feelings of their heart ... HINT: you can't.

You should be ashamed.

[dsutah]

Don't be silly! (giggle)You're forgiven, you don't have to finish your piece of crow, now! But seriously, it does take strong people to admit they're wrong. Good, well-meaning people can't always see past the end of their noses. But you're one of those that can admit it!

[Utah Girl]

They did use tracking dogs. Now I have to go find the articles, as I remember the police took the dogs out the front door, and the scent stopped at the curb. Apparently Elizabeth was taken out the back through the backyard. anyway, all I can remember is the dogs lost the scent almost immediately.

[Utah Girl]

Don't know about that, but Wanda helped Mitchell in the assault. Don't know the exact details, nor do I want to.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My state has the same sort of checking on contractors that come to your home. However, a recent news story in my state said that they do NOT do criminal background checks. Some companies are now doing them, on their own, without the benefit of a mandate from the state, as a way to protect their clients.

[dsutah]

Now that you bring up that little girl. I just got a weird feeling. After ES was taken, there was a report in our paper that in Riverdale, UT; a little girl was kidnapped many years ago. She was 11 at the time, I think. But this child escaped, or was rescued, and survived. Today, she is a young woman of about 21-22. She said told her story in this article. She wanted to tell ES, if she could hear or read anything at all, was for her to stay strong, and brave, and do what she could to survive.

The police in this case remembered that incident, looked up in their files, and shared it with the police in SLC. They wondered if there was a connection at all with this child's case, and E.Smart. I'm wondering if that could be a possiblity? That is, if this was the case you speak of!

[cherry]

"You sound like, how shall I put it mildly, a "women advocate." There's nothing advocating women's rights and all that stuff, but Liz is only 15. Give her time."

what?

my point is that some adult has to step in and protect ES from exploitation further...be that the media, the film industry, or the courts....

she shouldn't have to be the movie of the week ever.....