Posted on 10/26/2002 5:29:22 PM PDT by Palladin
Expert Offers 'Some New Leads' in Smart Case
Saturday, October 26, 2002
BY KEVIN CANTERA and MICHAEL VIGH
As police investigating Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping became stymied by a dearth of solid leads over the months, the case has grown conspicuously cold.
That could change following a recent visit from renowned forensics expert Henry Lee, who was recruited to examine evidence in the mysterious kidnapping. Lee, who has worked on such high-profile cases as the O.J. Simpson trial and the disappearance of congressional intern Chandra Levy, told The Salt Lake Tribune this week he gave investigators "some new leads to follow" in Elizabeth's June 5 abduction.
Citing a confidentiality agreement with police he signed before gaining access to forensic evidence in the case, Lee wouldn't discuss his findings specifically.
Chris Thomas, speaking on behalf of Elizabeth's father Ed Smart, confirmed Friday that Lee gave law enforcement "many recommendations" on how to proceed. "The police said they would pursue those leads. . . . From our understanding, investigators have been very busy, since [Lee] left," Thomas said. "It has given the family a lot of hope that things are progressing in a positive way."
The 14-year-old girl was snatched from her bedroom in the early morning hours by a gun-wielding intruder -- a crime witnessed only by her younger sister.
Lee's examination of a kitchen window screen led him to back an early police theory that the screen was cut from inside the home, possibly as a diversionary tactic by the abductor, multiple law enforcement sources tell The Tribune.
Police have been unable to determine if the kitchen window was the actual point of entry into the Federal Heights home. Investigators' skepticism is grounded in the lack of scuff marks around the kitchen window and the belief that anyone squeezing through the small window would have awakened family members.
"I went through the house and did look at a lot of evidence . . .I examined the screen and the window," said Lee, refusing to say what he determined from the analysis.
Thomas said Lee did not discuss his findings with Ed Smart or other family members because of the confidentiality agreement.
While Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse welcomed Lee's input, he said: "I don't think there was anything that [Lee] found that will change much." Dinse said he expects Lee, who was originally recruited into the investigation by Ed Smart, to provide police with a written report.
Though Dinse has not publicly ruled anyone out, the chief has called the late Richard Ricci, who worked in the Smart home as a handyman last year, the No. 1 potential suspect. Ricci, who was being held at the Utah State Prison on alleged parole violations, died in August from a massive brain hemorrhage.
He was also charged with robbing the Smart home of jewelry and other items and an earlier night-time burglary of a home nearby while he worked in the neighborhood.
Palladin...I don't know what to say about the libraries.....
it seems that we have been encased in this evil cloud where even mothers are not protecting their kids like they used to....it seems everything is acceptable now...
you know, when I was a kid , my dad had a cow because we went to see Gone with the Wind....he thought it was too violent and sexual I guess...
are parents just worse nowadays?....why are we protecting our kids more....
I can't fathom the heartbreak of the father and the two remaining brothers....
when we think of all the trouble we have in this world....just think of this family.....and all other families torn apart by the evil that walks on our good earth....
"Conway police believe that Fuller arrived in town several weeks ago, went away, and then came back.Around the middle of November, he rented space at West Conway Mini Storage, but he didn't check into the Motel 6 in town until Monday. "We know that he was here to rent the storage unit, but there's nothing to indicate that he stayed around after that," {Elsinger said.}
After returning to town Monday, Fuller rented a Dodge Caravan from Enterprise Rent-A-Car that police later would find in the storage unit along with the bodies of Fuller and Kacie.
Phone records show that Fuller called Kacie on his cell phone after he returned to town. Police said the calls concerned her enough that she mentioned to friends that she felt she was being watch.
Another online friend, a 16-year old from Georgia, was chatting with Kacie on her computer shortly before she was abducted Tuesday night. Elsinger said Kacie's friend notified authorities in his area after she suddenly stopped answering his repeated messages.
His concern led investigators back to Kacie's computer, on which they found the name David Fagan.
Fullers's father, Edward Fuller, of SALT LAKE CITY, called the accusations against his son "rediculous and stupid." He said his son came to Arkansas last month to vist an old friend from the Navy.
Television news reports in San Diego indicated Fuller was FIRED in September from his job selling used cars because he was discovered to have been using "company computers to browse pornographic Internet sites."
I copied these paragraphs from todays Arkansas Democrat Gazette article for you all.
Now, it appears that if he had a job selling used cars during the Smart disappearance, he may have used one of the "lot" vehicles to take her. How conventient would that have been?
Looks like he planned on abducting her in a Rental, so they couldn't have traced DNA back to him, etc.
This guy was totally DRIVEN to rape and kill a little girl. Look at the lengths he went too and the miles he travelled to do it.
He also broke into her home...and her Father is a Police Officer. Wonder if she told him that?
Wonder if she told her father about her fears?
sw
"In the San Diego suburb of La Mesa, investigators on Friday searched an apartment where Fuller lived."
"La Mesa police records show that Fuller was arrested in January in a domestic violence case, according to Liz Purcell, a spokesman for the San Diego County district Attorney's office. The case was not pursued because the claims could not be proved, she said."
He had two children and was separated from his wife.
Considering he would go to any length to nab a girl, he is probably being considered a suspect in the Smart Case.
I still don't know if he killed himself, or one of the LE officers shot him.
His "father" lives in Salt Lake and he could have used that pretense to say he was visiting him when Smart was taken.
After all, he did tell his own father that he was coming to Arkansas to visit an old friend from the Navy. But the friend, Greg Green, said "I had no dealings with the guy after I left. I can't believe I shared a tent with a killer..." etc., etc.
My main point was he had access to any of the cars on his lot. Maybe drove it to Utah to see his Dad and could have used one of the "lot" cars to kidnapp Elizabeth, and then returned the car to be sold.
sw
Kat....keep your eyes and ears open....hope the SLC cops are going to really look into this and see if any cars of Fuller's dad might be implicated in the Liz abduction...
this guy had no fear...look what he did just to obtain his evil "fantasy"...
It would be interesting to see where he actually grew up,,was he in scouts and maybe had favorite hiking areas...or maybe his family owned land that needs to be checked out....
praying still for Liz.....
I certainly don't believe this. Show us some proof. I have also heard police say they have never gotten any credible assistance from psychics either.
But Sherlock suggests the man had a full head of hair and sideburns. Thought the man had on a cap? At any rate, a used car salesman would probably wear the type of clothing (Dockers) the perp had on. The cap to cover his balding head, maybe.
Nothing to add in today's newspaper. IF Fuller was involved, as suggested in this thread he may have very well used his father's car OR one he got off the lot.
What the big factor that remains to be seen, is...Did he have another storage facility where Elizabeth's body is stored? Seems he planned this one out pretty well. Was it done before?
After awhile, if the fee isn't paid on Units, they go up for public auction. A close friend of mine owns a couple of these here in Arkansas, so I know this for a fact.
Another thing to consider is that Fuller had a gun with him, and so do the man who abducted Elizabeth.
sw
Nowhere, in any published description of the man seen by Mary K. Smart, does it say he had a full head of dark hair and long sideburns. Sherlock has made this up out of whole cloth. Perhaps she was there, peering over the shoulder of Jeanne Boylan, as Boylan interviewed MK, and sketched the perp. Yeah, that's the ticket!
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