Elizabeth Smart case, August 14, 2002

[Bella]

How did you copy that pdf file?

[sandude]

One told me that they seemed to think that it was a burglary gone bad rather than a kidnapping/ransom.

I have a problem with the burglary angle. Why go to all of the trouble of putting the Jeep into hiding if Ricci was just going to grab some goods. No, I think the plan was to get Elizabeth. The Jeep is the key to this mystery. It was the perfect vehicle for abducting her because of the deniability of stray DNA evidence.

[Jolly Green]

Have to be a pretty stupid burglar to wear light clothing at night, though

Someone convicted five times with six more charges filed and others pending might not be described as the brightest bulb on the tree.

[varina davis]

It was the perfect vehicle for abducting her because of the deniability of stray DNA evidence.

Except it seems just a bit too obvious -- too pat.

[JudyB1938]

Click on "File" in your upper screen.

Click on "Send".

Click on "Page by Email".

It will arrive as an attachment in your email.

Open it up and copy it and then paste here.

[MiloMarch]

>I can't say about the dress other than it afforded a small alibi if someone saw him out side i.e. well-dressed guy in a wealthy neighborhood looks like he is just out for a walk.

I think that's it exactly. In my wild and decadent youth I knew a few burglars, and the last thing they would want to do is "dress up like a burglar" to commit a crime!

In fact, some of my friends knocked over a really hip clothing store and a dry cleaner, and after that they were VERY well dressed burglars.

[Jolly Green]

I have a problem with the burglary angle. Why go to all of the trouble of putting the Jeep into hiding if Ricci was just going to grab some goods. No, I think the plan was to get Elizabeth. The Jeep is the key to this mystery. It was the perfect vehicle for abducting her because of the deniability of stray DNA evidence.

Excellent point, except that if the jeep was used in a burglary, he would still want to have it "in the shop" during the period.

If kidnapping was the motive, the DNA aspect could afford the possibility of the perfect crime. If only Moul didn't have such a good memory AND such good records, Ricci would have a good alibi for the jeeps whereabouts.

[IamHD]

I would like to thank the FReeper that FReepmailed the Smart letter to me. So, thank you fellow FReeper! :)

[Jolly Green]

Click on "File" in your upper screen. Click on "Send". Click on "Page by Email".

That is much easier than my approach i.e. Acrobat itself, which provided the paragraphs in different orders.

[cookiedough]

I'm not talking about the accessing from the driveway. I mean from the back -- where all the dirt is. Even if it is a steep hill, I bet a fairly fit person could climb it. My SUV can do it, too, but no need to bring it right up to the house. Would explain why shoes were so important that the perp risked being caught during the time it took Liz to put on her shoes.

[sandude]

he would still want to have it "in the shop" during the period.

Why? Any car could be used for a burglary. Too much effort went into covering this Jeep for a simple second story job.

[Utah Girl]

Some of the media reports say as much i.e. that MK heard the perp tell ES he was taking her as a hostage.

Do you have a URL source for this? Hadn't heard that.

I read published reports after the abduction that said that Elizabeth asked what he was going to do with her, and he said "maybe take you hostage." I'm off to find the URL for you...

[sandude]

Would explain why shoes were so important that the perp risked being caught during the time it took Liz to put on her shoes.

I agree. It is obvious that the getting to the escape vehicle required covering some uneven ground.

[cookiedough]

Good idea. If I were a millionaire, my home would be fortified with all types of security measures.

We can't afford all that stuff, so we are getting a Collie soon.

[cookiedough]

I wouldn't risk that right at the moment.

You could find out when visiting day is at the prison, and try to visit Ricci. That would be interesting, if he agreed to see you.

[IamHD]

Thanks for the post.

You're welcome. :8)

[cookiedough]

Yes, it is incredible how stupid criminals are. This, though, appears to be a perfectly executed crime. No tips have panned out, no searcher has found anything ....

That $250 thousand reward should be offered for information leading to recovery of Liz or her body, and the conviction of the perp.

That's big money and it might tweak someone who knows something into action.

[sandude]

If only Moul didn't have such a good memory AND such good records, Ricci would have a good alibi for the jeeps whereabouts.

I agree with this but also feel that MK waking up and spotting the perp was more significant. I think the investigation would have moved much slower without the intense media interest that resulted because of the Rachel alert going out. Perhaps the Jeep would have been back at the trailer park by the time authorities got around to talking to Rick. They may have never even known it had been to the garage at all.

[Jolly Green]

Are you a suspicious looking character?

Not particularly, but the timing might not be real good right now.