Elizabeth Smart thread, August 24-31, 2002

[IamHD]

I don't know when Utahn children start school, but Elizabeth should/would be starting the 9th grade, soon. :(

[Bella]

Sounds like a heart attack.

[varina davis]

Perfect time for a confession -- but I don't think he's the one.

[Sherlock]

Why would he have reason to believe her hair may have been cut or dyed??!!

Don't you ever get tired of cluttering up this board. Why don't you spend your time on these mythical boards you're always raving about that don't feel like their time is wasted by and even allegedly like the trash you post.

[Bella]

Neither do I..

[Bella]

Ricci stopped breathing..

[Sherlock]

I think not.

I'll attest to this!

[Bella]

CNN just said he experienced difficulties breathing...

[Bella]

Wonder if someone gave him something to cause this?

[Bella]

Subject: Re: Ricci stopped breathing
Date: 8/28/2002 1:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Ricci had a court appearance earlier today. He was found guilty to enough crimes to keep him in prison for the rest of his life. In the evening in his cell he rang for the guards complaining about difficulties breathing. He now appears to be fighting for his life at the University of Utah Medical Center. His cell is being searched for possible evidence of a suicide attempt, (or other foul play?). The Smart family has been informed about the situation. (Imagine, at the time he was hospitalized tonight, I happened to be outside the Univ. Hospital, coming out from one of my classes and watching the helicopters landing. I got the latest news as I came home and turned on the TV.)

[varina davis]

Don't you ever get tired of cluttering up this board. Why don't you spend your time on these mythical boards you're always raving about that don't feel like their time is wasted by and even allegedly like the trash you post.

I spend no time on ANY other board except a hurricane forum -- and never said I did. Better check YOUR facts before you continue with your idiotic rants.

[Sherlock]

Well go back up there Bella and see if you can work a confession out of him. Just read him a few of your posts. If you torture Ricci like you do the facts in this case both he and the facts will eventually confess to anything.

[varina davis]

RICCI HOSPITALIZED WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS (Potential suspect in Elizabeth Smart kidnapping in June)
Fox News ^ | August 28, 2002 | Fox News


Posted on 08/28/2002 1:37 AM Eastern by varina davis


Ricci Hospitalized With Breathing Problems AP Wednesday, August 28, 2002


SALT LAKE CITY — A handyman who police say is a top potential suspect in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart experienced breathing problems in his prison cell and was rushed to University Hospital, where he was on life support.


Richard Albert Ricci, 48, made a brief court appearance earlier Tuesday as his attorneys asked for more time to review the charges against their client. Third District Judge Paul Maughan granted the request and a roll call hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17 before Judge Stephen L. Henriod.


Salt Lake County sheriff's spokeswoman Peggy Faulkner said Ricci was flown to the hospital after complaining of breathing problems about 8 p.m. He was not breathing when the guards got to him, she said.


"It does not look good," she said, adding that Ricci's wife was with him. She said there was no sign of trauma or any indication it was a suicide attempt.


Charges against Ricci allege he stole $3,500 worth of items from the Smarts' home on June 6, 2001. A search of Ricci's home on June 19 turned up jewelry, a perfume bottle and a wine glass filled with seashells that belonged to the Smarts, according to charging documents.


In addition, he is charged with one count of burglary and another count of theft for allegedly taking items from a home in the Smarts' wealthy neighborhood in April 2001. Jewelry and about $300 in cash were taken during the night burglary from a bedroom as a resident slept in the same room, according to the charges.


These criminal charges are not related to Elizabeth's abduction. The girl's father has said none of the items taken from his home belonged to his daughter.


Ricci, who worked as a handyman in both homes, has pleaded innocent to the thefts and burglary.


Elizabeth was abducted by an armed man on June 5. The girl has not been found.

---

[Bella]

Another one who doesn't know how to read! What are you ON tonite?

[Bella]

She said there was no sign of trauma or any indication it was a suicide attempt.

Foul play!

[varina davis]

Probably heart attack.

[Bella]

Subject: Re: ricci has been hospitalized
Date: 8/28/2002 1:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: DollieRock

>this is odd. First it was Ed and now Ricci.

Thats right - two innocent men ! And the real killer laughs Again

[Bella]

I thought and posted that earlier..seems odd..

[Bella]

What are you ON tonite?

Sherlock, get OFF your broomstick tonite..You were great earlier today, but, this evening you've gotten back on that broomstick. You can be pleasant when you want to be, calm down.

[sandude]

A couple of thoughts.

Didn't Rick break out of jail once before?

Suppose this is not really Ricci but a staged attempt by LE to draw his accomplice out into the open.

I know it's crazy but my Hollywood mind is running again.

[varina davis]

Note last paragraph of MSNBC story:

Handyman in critical condition

Ricci taken to hospital after breathing problems

MSNBC STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 28 — A handyman who police say is a top potential suspect in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night with breathing problems. A sheriff’s spokeswoman said he was in critical condition, being kept alive with life support “and it does not look good.”

THE HANDYMAN, Richard Ricci, rang a call button in his cell at approximately 7:25 p.m. and told the guards he was having trouble breathing, said Jack Ford, a spokesperson for Utah Department of Corrections.

Guards responded to Ricci’s cell, and found him conscious but struggling to breathe. They administered CPR, then took him to the infirmary at the Utah State Penitentiary where prison doctors stabilized him, Ford said. Ricci was helicoptered to the University of Utah Medical Center where he was being treated.

The sheriff’s spokeswoman, Peggy Falkner, said there were no signs Ricci had experienced any trauma.

Earlier in the day, Ricci, 48, made a brief court appearance as his attorneys asked for more time to review the charges that he stole items from the Smarts’ home.

Third District Judge Paul Maughan granted the request. Another roll call hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17 before Judge Stephen L. Henriod.

Charges against Ricci allege he stole $3,500 worth of items from the Smarts’ home on June 6, 2001. A search of Ricci’s home on June 19 turned up jewelry, a perfume bottle and a wine glass filled with seashells that belonged to the Smarts, according to charging documents.

In addition, he is charged with one count of burglary and another count of theft for allegedly taking items from a home in the Smarts’ wealthy neighborhood in April 2001. Jewelry and about $300 in cash were taken during the night burglary from a bedroom as a resident slept in the same room, according to the charges.

These criminal charges are not related to Elizabeth’s abduction. The girl’s father has said none of the items taken from his home belonged to his daughter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.