Why Elizabeth (Smart) ‘Ran Away’ (Not kidnapped)

Newsmax ^ | 3/14/03 | Joan Swirsky

[Wrigley]

Or, it is an honest attempt to look at all the possibilities, and not just the senario that you want it to be.

[alnick]

How can it be an "honest attempt to look at all the possibilities" when it ignores the evidence in favor of a salacious story involving a pretty teenage girl?

[Wrigley]

Everything I've read hasn't convinced me of anything yet.

The runaway story is a possibility.

[restornu]

And I'm wondering how this guy (Mitchell) after having worked on the outside of the house for 5 hours, knew 7 months later, where Elizabeth's bedroom was.

If one is working on the roof and happen to see into the rooms while on the roof I am sure one knows what a child room looks like from the one of adults. Could have seen the child in the room.

Could have quitely studied at night when insiders are preocupied not thinking they are being watched. He is also a burglar he known for his ability to be very stealth.

The little sister said he was very soft spoken etc.

[Hildy]

Isn't it amazing how people would rather believe that an innocent child is guilty than believe that a 49 year old man and HIS WIFE are the wackos? It's astounding and makes you wonder what horrible experiences some of these people have had with their own children.

[alnick]

Isn't it amazing how people would rather believe that an innocent child is guilty than believe that a 49 year old man and HIS WIFE are the wackos? It's astounding and makes you wonder what horrible experiences some of these people have had with their own children.

I don't know what to make of it. In the face of eye witness testimony from the sister plus Elizabeth herself saying that she was held at knifepoint in the woods behind her neighborhood when she heard people calling (explaining why she couldn't respond) and the evidence that they tried to kidnap the cousin, these people choose to believe that it's all a big conspiracy and that little Elizabeth is 15 going on 35 and that this wacko who thinks that God led him to "take" 49 young (the easier to mold your mind, my dear) wives is some poor dupe who was led astray by the wiley Elizabeth. Incredible.

[Hildy]

I know I will be attacked for this, but there are many men who, for whatever reason, blame women for their oown inability to control their sexual needs. ESPECIALLY young girls.

[glory]

Yeah, I agree. Creating an equivalence when her husband was probably not much older than her, a high school sweetheart, not a loon in the religion department, and in a time when marrying so young was much more acceptable?

[glory]

Yes, I think the socio-economic culture is part of it--having that kind of emotional level-headedness to succeed. However, I have known mormon families. They are more reserved than your average Oprah-sobbing soccer mom and dads. There are unusual aspects to the case, but you know what, even if the girl ran away, this guy was not entitled to aid in her actions and my guess is that even if she went willingly with him, she did NOT sign up for all that was to come! Teenagers do run away, most don't intend to stay away for long so I am feeling pretty confident in that scenario, she was manipulated into staying.

[RnMomof7]

All he had to do was to watch the house, which it turns out that he did. This speculation by gossip mongers about why did he know which room to go to is just a sick attempt to smear the reputation of an innocent child.

That is a house around 4,000 square feet with 4 bedrooms..halls etc. there is NO way you could figure out who slept where in four hours outside unless someone pointed it out to you...Just as he knew where the cousins bedroom was to try to snatch her ..when he had never been in the house..

I believe that a child is not able to give consent in a case like this so it would still be kidnapping IMHO....but one that she helped with

[Iwo Jima]

Watch out, Registered Nurse Mom of 7, you make too much sense. You are at risk of being accused by Hildy of being a depraved man, child abuser, and pedophile who cannot control his sexual urges and has undoubtedly abused his own daughters.

Just thought that I would warn you that such vicious,baseless, and frankly ridiculous ad hominen attacks take the place of any attempt at reason discourse from several very vocal posters. These posters thankfully seem to be in the minority, pop up, spew their hateful comments, and then go away.

[Iwo Jima]

Sorry that I didn't respond to your post yesterday, but I was spending Sunday with my family who loves me very much, as I do them. Today, I have many posts to respond to and so I will just give your comments that attention which they deserve, which is as follows:

[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

[Hildy]

Nobody has EVER accused me of going away. I've been here since 1998. If you have something to say to me, say it. I stand by everything I've said. If you can make personal judgements on Ed Smart based on what he's said, then I see no reason I can't make them about you.

[Iwo Jima]

Your comments discredit you and your position. I see no need to respond to your not-so-veiled heinous accusations. Your baseless and personal attacks are prohibited by the FreeRepublic rules. At some point, you just may go over the line and join other former FReepers who got banned or suspended.

[Hildy]

LOL...ok, sure. Can't take the heat, huh? Why are you so threatened, could it be a bit of a guilty conscience?

[restornu]

Who are these people that claim to be conservatives and support the constitution of this God given nation?

Their hearts are so hard, they seem so jaded they have trouble discerning good from evil.

They are like what the scriptures say-

1 Cor. 13
1 THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

http://scriptures.lds.org/1_cor/13/1#1

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