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You'll never get a straight answer to your question out of Varina. And if I'd said the thing Scaredkat said about, if Ed were involved, it would maybe explain some things, IMO Varina would have been all over me like white on rice. Scaredkat has that prerogative, however, b/c she has not gotten involved in some of the infighting around here the way I have. And I value Scaredkat's contributions to this discussion; in fact, I value everyone's, including Varina's (except when she gets all teary-eyed about Rick and Angela.)

The very first day this story hit the media--the very first day--on another forum someone said in their opinion, Ed's on-camera crying reminded them of Susan Smith. That thought flashed through my mind, too, the first time I saw Ed on camera.

But as I learned about him and his family, to me they just began to sound like the average suburban family. I still can't see Ed in the role of a killer. Plus, if it was something that happened within the family, how on earth could he keep all those kids--not just the siblings, but the cousins--quiet? Even Ward Weaver couldn't keep his kid quiet, and he is a much more formidable-looking character than Ed Smart. Even Westerfield couldn't keep his own son from taking the stand to refute Westerfield's disgusting allegations that the kiddie porn was the son's. (Which it was not, I think.) Those Smart family women are not downtrodden-looking to me. One of them is a practicing physician. Lois looks educated and well-heeled. Even if for some insane reason she was keeping quiet, figuring turning her husband in wouldn't bring Elizabeth back to life, I don't think she'd take part in a charade of constantly asking people to keep searching.

Ed has no criminal record. He's in his 30's or 40's. Someone who has gotten that far w/o getting in trouble is not likely to start that late. Yes, he could have done something terribly, horribly wrong, but I just don't think he could hide it so well, what with all the people who are always around.

I see no facts at this point that point to Ed. I see some facts which point to Ricci--and I'm by no means even sure of HIS involvement.

Interesting article, that one posted by jo6pac above. That's the article that mentioned Charles, the article that said when he was awakened at 4 a.m. with the news that Elizabeth was missing, he said he "just thought Elizabeth had gone running."

Yes, I like the points you make.

Scaredkat has added some frightening things. I'm afraid I 've never seen the tv treatments because I only watch dumb sci-fi and comedy on tv.

I agree everyone has said sonmething interesting at some time, even Mme Varina.

I'm hoping that continued public scrutiny of cases like this will result in better prevention and more efficient investigation.

Ed has no criminal record. He's in his 30's or 40's. Someone who has gotten that far w/o getting in trouble is not likely to start that late.

Oh, puhleeze! David Westerfield is 50 years old and had no criminal record...until the night he decided to kidnap Danielle Van Dam.