Elizabeth Smart thread, September 5, 2002-?

[IamHD]

ES missing since 6-5-2002 and will have been missing for 3 months in a few hours, so I thought that this would be an approriate time to start a new thread.

[landerwy]

13 blocks south of the SLC temple and 24 blocks east. I believe it is an area called the Foothills just a few blocks from the Zoo and not far from the University of Utah.

[FR_addict]

A bishop may or may not have sexually abused a young girl in his ward according to the above article.

Some of us have not thought Ed Smart has been as forthcoming as he should be and believe that the family, extended family, or people in their community or Church may be involved in Elizabeth's disappearance.

I'm sure that this bishop's family is denying any wrongdoing on his part and it is too early in the case to know, but the LDS Church decided to remove him on the current state of the case.

Just because someone is a member of a Church that teaches strong moral values does not mean that they should be given a free pass.

[Utah Girl]

Good comments, thank you. I thought it was especially interesting that the felony was bumped from a 2nd degree to a 1st degree felony, because he was a religious leader of the girl. I'm glad to see that the punishment is harsher because of his responsibilities to the people in his ward.

[landerwy]

I feel bad that you feel that way. I am confidant that this Bishop will be excommunicated if he is indeed guilty. I am not one to defend every LDS person as I know some can behave badly. The LDS people are not immune to the problems that are plaguing our society. And I for one will codemn any of them who abuses a child!

[landerwy]

I agree!

[varina davis]

13 blocks south of the SLC temple and 24 blocks east. I believe it is an area called the Foothills just a few blocks from the Zoo and not far from the University of Utah.

Thank you, landerwy, it it anywhere near Arlington Heights? Or does Spencer Dixon live near there, do you know?

[Devil_Anse]

How is a transgression by some former Mormon bishop related to Elizabeth's disappearance? Did the Smarts know this man?

Chandra Levy was Jewish; I don't recall any scandals involving rabbis being mentioned when her disappearance was discussed. What religion was Samantha Runnion, by the way, or Danielle Van Dam? How about Jonbenet Ramsey--was her parents' church looked into?

Plenty of Catholic priests are being called to account for molesting children. It's about time. But how many of them were involved or even suspected of being involved, in kidnapping and/or murder? Only one, that I've heard of--out of the hundreds who are now accused of molestation.

I have never really known any Mormons, except the ones who sometimes come to my door to try to evangelize. I tell them I am a Catholic, and send them on their way.

[Devil_Anse]

I thought the article said he was an ex-bishop.

[Utah Girl]

He is now an ex-bishop. He was bishop at the time of the incident (Aug 24, 2002.)

[Utah Girl]

Federal Heights/Arlington Heights is about 700 N 1500 E in SLC. Probably a 10 minute drive to that churchouse south, depending upon the time of day. Why?

[Utah Girl]

Spencer Dixon would live in the ward he was bishop over. Depending upon how many members in the neighborhood there, the ward area could be as small as six blocks by six blocks. He wasn't even in the same stake as the Smarts (a stake is a collection of 6-12 wards.)

[varina davis]

Federal Heights/Arlington Heights is about 700 N 1500 E in SLC. Probably a 10 minute drive to that churchouse south, depending upon the time of day. Why?

Just wondering about all possibilities connected with Elizabeth. Ten minutes is not a long way away.

[Devil_Anse]

Aren't you a Mormon? I don't understand why you feel the need to apologize for the actions of some ex-Bishop whom you've apparently never met. I am Catholic, and I don't feel compelled to apologize to anyone for what certain priests did. Persons can make individual choices. The priests chose to abuse the children--I didn't have anything to do with their actions. Church authority is not the only authority that is abused--so is school authority, parental authority, step-parent authority, political authority, and college administration authority.

I don't think there is a religious group in the world which has not experienced having at least one of its leaders do something scandalous with a congregation member. Even the Scientologists are not immune. For that matter, atheists are not immune to scandal, either. I fail to see where anything or anyone has shown the slightest connection between Elizabeth's disappearance, and her status as a Mormon. Where is the connection?

You know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear these anti-organized religion people had an axe to grind. Maybe they don't like conservative politics, or maybe they are angry b/c certain churches have spoken out against abortion or civil unions or something. They must have some reason for relentlessly posting church scandals which have ZERO connection to the Elizabeth Smart disappearance.

[Sherlock]

Article 1:

FBI agents took it into evidence from the shed behind Morse’s home. Morse says police want to show it to a mechanic who saw Ricci removing items from his white Jeep Cherokee after Smart was kidnapped.

"I still think he’s innocent and if they’ve done what they say he’d sure have to be a fast guy," says Morse.

2nd Article:

Investigators are also checking a machete found in the shed, belonging to Ricci’s father-in-law. Sources told ABC News that Ricci was carrying a machete when he brought his Jeep back to the repair shop.

Article 3:

Morse said that police told him the man who dropped off the Jeep at the shop was wearing a machete in his belt. Moul did not have any comment on that information.

Smith refused to discuss the 1,000 unaccounted-for miles that were reportedly put on Ricci's Jeep Cherokee around the time of the girl's disappearance. Smith said he was withholding an explanation to dispute a possible prosecution theory.

Article 4:

While police continue to investigate Ricci, the state crime lab is charged with testing all manner of potential physical evidence from the 25-day-old case, including a tan golf cap similar to the one worn by the kidnapper and a machete taken from the mobile home of Ricci's father-in-law. Smith dismisses the cap and knife as "red herrings."

Police interviewed Ricci, who has a 29-year criminal record, on June 6. They interviewed him again on June 11 and arrested him on an unrelated parole violation on June 14, nine days after Elizabeth was reported taken at gunpoint from her bedroom in an affluent Salt Lake City neighborhood. He is being held in Utah State Prison.

[varina davis]

Utah Girl, remember that in the beginning LE described the potential perpetrator as a possible "trusted member of the community" and that he might be or reside in the area. After all, if this guy is a sexual offender, well, who knows?

[Sherlock]

Can someone explain Ricci's work schedule from this? This probably explains Ricci's 'degree' in horticulture. You have to remember Angela is a psychopathic liar.

"I have no complaints whatsoever about his work," said Lee Mitchell, owner of Mitchell's Nursery, 2184 E. 3300 South. Ricci, 48, is on the "top of the list" of potential suspects in the 14-year-old's June 5 disappearance. Police say they cannot verify his alibi for that night -- that he was home with his wife -- and they are not sure where he was between May 31 and June 8. Ricci denies any involvement in the abduction. Arrested June 14 on a parole violation, Ricci was returned Monday to Utah State Prison. Mitchell said Ricci worked most of the days between May 31 and June 8 on a schedule of five days on, two days off. He said he met Ricci 12 years ago, when the nursery owner taught a "Green Thumb" class to prison inmates. Ricci was serving a sentence for shooting a police officer with a sawed-off shotgun during a pharmacy break-in and the separate robbery of a fast food restaurant.

Mitchell said Ricci worked on June 4 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The next day he had a scheduled day off, and worked June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

[Devil_Anse]

I've read them all. Since Brigette began posting her daily Smart thread, on what she called "Day 18." Before that, before she took over. And since the time that Palladin's viciousness drove her to start her own board.

It apparently will take "screechiness" to get even partway through your hate for organized religion. You didn't answer a single one of my questions, did you?

Since we're all "sleuths" on here, will you bear with me while I do a little sleuthing? I am asking you to just answer 2 questions for me:

1. Do you agree with the Mormon church's stance on abortion?

2. Do you agree with the Mormon church's stance on homosexuality and civil unions?