New Leads In Smart Case

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.

sherl....who ever said he stopped at the brothers room?....now if it was mk...than how do you explain that she was not afraid nor shook up by the incident....she must not have felt her sister to be in harm...why not scream out or run to your parents and jump in the bed with them....she did none of that....

It could be the work of Ricci...but it would be nice to have a little of his dna or some forensic evidence to tie him there...we don't have zilch...

the only first person accounts we have are those of mk's...and even hers are colored because she has never appeared in public or on tv..( nor do I want her too)....everything we have heard is mostly thru the Ed factor...

does anybody think about the words of the brother though....when he was interviewed...he offered that he just though Liz had gone running....what?....why did he say that?...was it natural for Liz to get up and go running?...what does he know and when did he know it?

The last I heard they feel that Ricci Knew something about the case. That does not mean to me that he is guilty. He may be guilty but it is odd how they can't get anyone to say he did it, rather it be forensic or witness. Note- Moul is the Neth repair shop owner NOT Ricci's mechanic.
Ricci was involved in a drug ring and a big one at that, he had "weed" farms all over these mountains. FBI was very busy this summer burning them. The FBI/LE are still gathering up and arresting people, (I find it interesting being in utah and know who really ownes a certain resturant that was closed down for drug sales, you can't live in utah and not know about a mob gang (I am not; the only one that knows this)). Yes, Ricci did really bad things and should have never been paroled but so did 399 others get paroled just for the sake of saving money, they should be in jail at this very minute. I do also find his death highly questionable especially when one states 'maybe that will scare him and make him talk.' 'Scare him''make him talk' two things I would question 1- why was it so important that someone gets into the court room that Ricci was in court for on unrelated charges and then that night he (as told on news alert) had sustained numerous injuries and was taken to the infermatory, these numerous turned into one then none????? (sound like stories we have read on the ES case.) To give someone an aneurysm it only takes giving a person a shot with it only full of air. 2-why would anyone say maybe that will scare him and make him talk? Was there an arrangement of somekind or were some police officers upset that Ricci was still walking around after shooting a cop and felt he was now guilty of kidnapping?
Many questions on many other things that Ricci did or didn't do. This doesn't exactly mean a Smart involvement either. I wonder if we were to look anyones life on that day if half of them would look highly suspicious to us.
I find it interesting that even though Ricci died no one has come forward to give information about Ricci and that he did it. Money is involved, people are greedy and would talk if they knew something. They don't. Why? No matter what you look at on this case it leads you right back to the house. What is everyone missing? or what are we missing the LE already know?

Also Please Note: Posters keep talking about how when a Smart is interviewed that they always Look right into the camera and adress Elizabeth by name and tells her they love her and that they are still working on trying to find her.
They have been instructed to do this. This makes it a personal note to Elizabeth but more importantly to the KIDNAPPER. They tell them to do this so that Elizabeth isn't a object or trofy that she becomes a real person with feelings and emotions and family ties. That is why Lois would tell personal stories and show her pictures. This works on the brain of the Kidnapper and can confuse them and brings the guilt of there actions to the surface and hopefully realizes what there doing and turns themself in and if the victim is alive frees them. This type of psychology will happen everytime a child is taken. A good note to yourself is if the family doesn't do this it most likely shows their involvement because they don't want their guilt to show through. Thusly, it helps LE decipher two things. If there is family involvement or to spread guilt into the kidnapper.

Most seem to think Ricci did it or Smart did it. All I can say is get out of your comfort zone and look at the case again. I know others have been looked at but each of us seem to only point the finger at these two what is the third answer. I think it could be someone that Ricci didn't know they were doing it and also that Ed didn't know about but the two of them knew this person perhaps.

Remember, I am on Elizabeth's side and no other side. I am just trying to make us think. Perhaps we just might have the best clue seeing how everything has been stated on this forum like no other forum. We may not know exactly what LE knows but I bet we are close. Also don't always believe what is printed in papers you might make yourself gollible.

This is about the 3rd or 4th time I've read these transcripts. Angela did not ever say she called on May 30th.

ONe thing we don't know is what time of day the jeep was towed to the garage. You are saying, Sherl, that Moul fixed the fuel pump, pronto, Angela called (didn't have the money to pay), & Rick picked it up on the day he brought it in.

Where are you coming from? If Rick wanted the jeep back so soon, he would have told Moul to hurry. Moul has never said that happened, has he? He only said that a woman called (which I have never heard, myself, that I remember), but never said what day it was.

How long does it take to fix a fuel pump? Fuel pumps are kinda serious business.

Thank you for the congratulations. And to you, cookie, the same hearty congratulations on your new pup. I recall you said you were getting one.

Ours was a surprise. He was tied to a broken drain pipe & friends said he had been hanging around their house for nearly 2 weeks. He had no collar, was skinny but very well mannered, & our son wanted him. We had agreed 3 years ago after having to put down our 13 1/2 year old shepherd - no more pets!

We aren't sure how old he is - the vet thinks about 7 or 8 months - & may have some collie!! in him, though he has the classic shepherd head & body. He's smart - learned to climb stairs on his 2nd day here, housebroken, loves to play ball, frolicked in the snow today, & has had no trouble adapting to our son's bed....and my lonesome days are over....

Well, I've thought it was unusual for a supposedly wealthy family to go to the trouble of building a large home that would house them comfortably, then up and sell it. Elizabeth was around 7 years of age when they moved there.

They have nice neighbors in an up-scale neighborhood. Judging by the work still going on at the time of Elizabeth's disappearance, the house was not totally finished.

Do the Smarts like perpetual chaos brought on by having workmen in & out, not to mention possible buyers, lookyloos, plus six children & their activities? Makes me tired to just think about it.

So, I think you are asking good questions, not far-fetched at all, cherry - Ed & insurance claims. What did he want stolen, leaving the garage door open & the alarm off?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.