Elizabeth Smart thread, August 24-31, 2002

[varina davis]

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.

Your're right -- it's crazy.

[Bella]

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.

Sandude, I've seen someone post on another board similar thoughts as yours. They've thought initially that he faked the breathing problem to go to the hospital w/ a plan to escape. However, it appears that's not so now. The last report I've seen posted was that he stopped breathing..Am waiting to see if any further details are posted, or, if they weren't able to revive him.

I highly doubt LE would stage this event.

[sandude]

Your're right -- it's crazy.

Hey varina, I agree with you on this one. Just kidding.

[varina davis]

highly doubt LE would stage this event.

Right. If he's on life support, it will be a miracle if he recovers.

[sandude]

If he's on life support, it will be a miracle if he recovers.

This really is a strange case. It just keeps twisting away. I hope that Rick makes it or there may never be closure to this thing.

[Bella]

I hope that Rick makes it or there may never be closure to this thing.

How can there be closure if he's innocent? Why should someone confess to something they're innocent of.

[Bella]

Will the authorities now say "we got our man" and the real perp walk??

[hergus]

OK, I'll ask it...who silenced Ricci????

[varina davis]

Update on the Ricci story -- The Smart family said their hearts go out to Angela and the family because they've been through so much -- very interesting remark. Here's the update:

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 in critical condition and 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.

State Corrections spokesman Jack Ford said Ricci called guards at 7:35 and said he had trouble breathing.

They found him sitting on his bed and while they were talking to him, he passed out. They began resuscitation and he was taken to the infirmary, where it was found that his heart was strong but his breathing was weak. He was flown to the hospital at 8:40 p.m., Ford said.

He said there were no drugs or note found in his cell and there was no idea as to the cause.

Salt Lake County sheriff's spokeswoman Peggy Faulkner said Ricci's wife, Angela, was with him at the hospital.

Smart family spokesman Chris Thomas said, "Our hearts go out to Angela and the family because we know thay have been through so much."

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.

[Jrabbit]

I hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question. Did he confess to the robbery of the neighbors home?

[Bella]

OK, I'll ask it...who silenced Ricci????

I didn't say that...those initial posts I copied from another board...

If he doesn't pull through, I'm sure Angela and family will have an autopsy done for the cause of death, which is only natural and should be done, don't you agree?

[cherry]

thank you all for the updates......

this is unbelievable don't you think....what else can happen in this case

[Bella]

Subject: @@@@@@@ COINCIDENCE??? RICCI @@@@@@
Date: 8/28/2002 2:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: SeraphinaMaria
Message-id: <20020828022346.17953.00003279@mb-fx.aol.com>

Please correct me if I am wrong.. wasn't there a report yesterday... the first one in ages... on a new clue in the ES case ? Something about a while jeep being spotted at a campsite in Nevada at the time of ES abduction....that it was maybe another item leading to Ricci ? And suddenly he is near death. I can't help but think he was poisoned or maybe a suicide attempt... Or is he really just sick with a mysterious illness ? This new clue and now Ricci near death is not a mere co-incidence to me. I wonder if he is choosing death over telling or if someone wants him dead so he doesn't tell. I wonder how a person can get poisoned in prison? I wonder if I will wake up tomorrow and hear that he collapsed from double pneumonia.... I wish him to recover.. for his sake and for Elizabeth and her family.

[sandude]

Will the authorities now say "we got our man" and the real perp walk??

Not unless they plan on letting the public in on everything that they know. If the evidence, circumstantial or otherwise is compelling then the public will support LE. If they just try to close this by making a simple statement it will never fly.

[Bella]

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/740402/posts?page=10

[cherry]

thanks Bell....you can always count on Freepers to be on top of the news...

what do you think....Pulmonary emboli?

do you think someone slipped him something?

[Bella]

Just did some quick scans of other boards...people are thinking that someone "reached" him ...said he was seen by MANY in court today..also saying that there's no way any medical problem he has/had would have gone unnoticed...SO, we shall see...IF he doesn't make it, hopefully the family will definitely have an autopsy done for the cause of death.

[hergus]

I didn't mean to imply you said it, Bella. It just seemed like the "logical" thing to think considering some posters think that he has an accomplice on the outside that may not want him to talk.

Here was today's article about him appearing in court:

"Ricci appears in court, his attorneys ask for a delay

Tuesday August 27, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A handyman who police say is a top potential suspect in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart was in court Tuesday on charges he stole items from the Smarts' home.

Richard Albert Ricci, 48, made a brief court appearance as his attorneys asked for more time to review the charges against their client. 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.

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.

After the hearing, Ricci's wife, Angela Ricci, reiterated her belief that her husband had nothing to do with Elizabeth's disappearance.

``I do know he´s innocent. I still stand by him. I always have,´´ she said.

Elizabeth's parents, Ed and Lois Smart, attended Tuesday's hearing and left immediately afterward, declining to talk with reporters. Ed Smart has repeatedly said he believes Ricci is involved in Elizabeth's abduction.

Prosecuting attorney Jeffrey Hall said the request for a delay was not out of the ordinary.

``They needed more time, I think to talk to us about the charges that are filed ... to talk to their client,´´ Hall said.

Because prosecutors consider Ricci a career criminal, he faces up to life in prison for these charges.

Ricci's attorneys, Vernice Trease and Michael Peterson, remained in the courtroom following Ricci's hearing and were not immediately available for comment."

[hergus]

If he was in respiratory failure and not cardiac arrest he may have been given some high grade heroin, more potent than he was used to using.

Some Narcan would have brought him around though if that was the case.

[Bella]

what do you think....Pulmonary emboli?

Don't think so...only going by what was reported s/s..