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 Radio Home Page » KSL News » News » Stories
(Aug 28, 2002) -- SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ After a four hour surgical procedure early Wednesday morning, the handyman who Elizabeth Smart's family believes is tied to her disappearance was in critical condition.
Richard Ricci continued to be on life support and was being monitored by hospital officials, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Robby Russo. He was rushed to the hospital with breathing problems Tuesday night. "They thought he might be brain dead before he went in," Russo said. "Now, it's too early to tell if he will have brain damage if he survives." Russo said Ricci suffered either an aneurism or a stroke. Ricci, 48, called guards Tuesday evening and told them he had trouble breathing, state Corrections spokesman Jack Ford said. They found him sitting on his bed and while they were talking to him, he passed out. They began resuscitation and he was later flown to University Hospital in Salt Lake City, Ford said. The cause of his illness was not known. Russo said hospital officials found no trace of drugs in his blood. "It appears it was a medical condition." Ford said there was no note to indicate suicide found in his cell. Ricci has not been charged in Elizabeth's disappearance, although the girl's father has repeatedly said he thinks Ricci was somehow involved. The 14-year-old was kidnapped by an armed man on June 5 _ one of several high-profile child abductions this summer. Ricci made a brief court appearance earlier Tuesday as his attorneys asked for more time to review theft charges against their client. Third District Judge Paul Maughan granted the request and a hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17. Ricci allegedly 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 court 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. Ricci, who worked as a handyman in both homes, has pleaded innocent to the thefts and burglary. Russo 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 they have been through so much." After the hearing, 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. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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