Elizabeth Smart Case - Ricci Dies in Hospital

FoxNews | 8/30/02

[stlnative]

Richard Ricci Dies in Hospital

AP
Richard Ricci

Friday, August 30, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY — Richard Albert Ricci, the top potential suspect in the kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, died at a hospital Friday.

Ricci, 48, had been hospitalized for three days after suffering from a brain hemorrhage and collapsing in his jail cell, doctors said.

Earlier Friday, doctors had said Ricci had an irreversible injury to the brain stem after the hemorrhage Tuesday night.

The former handyman for the Smart family was not charged in the disappearance and denied involvement. He was in prison for a parole violation.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse this week reaffirmed that Ricci remained at the top of the list of potential suspects in Elizabeth's abduction. However, investigators were no closer to finding the missing 14-year-old than they were June 5, when a gunman took her from the bedroom she was sharing with her younger sister.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[ChocChipCookie]

Here's a thought that just occurred to me re: MK recognizing the kidnapper's voice. How likely would it be for the kidnapper to speak in an audible voice? If it were me, I would be whispering or speaking in a voice just above a whisper. I certainly wouldn't be speaking in a normal voice. If the kidnapper saw MK in the bed, he would have been even more likely to whisper so as not to wake her. Kind of makes you wonder about the credibility of MK recognizing and identifying the voice.

[Utah Girl]

You've already made your comment about people in high places not wanting the abduction of Elizabeth to be solved. When you are pressed, you don't answer. Please do, I'm curious to hear what you are thinking.

[lakey]

One would think a perp would speak in a whisper. Except this guy, according to all we've read, was brazen enough to walk in the Smart home in light-colored clothing.

Doesn't sound right, does it?

[stlnative]

Has this been posted...?

Ricci's Court Docs in a PDF File

[sandude]

Kind of makes you wonder about the credibility of MK recognizing and identifying the voice.

There are certainly problems with my scenario as I mentioned in my last post but I wouldn't question MK's credibility. It would not be enough to actually charge Richard with the crime that's for sure. It will be interesting to find out how the line up was handled and how they got the sample of Richards words. I believe for it to be even remotely admissible in court he would have had to have his attorney present and known that he was being recorded for that purpose. I'm not a lawyer but I don't think I'm too far off on this. No matter how you cut it though, sometime after the 1st of August Lois made her statement about MK recognizing the voice and then on the 14th of August the family released their statement where they clearly indicated that they felt Richard was involved.

[Bella]

Kind of makes you wonder about the credibility of MK recognizing and identifying the voice.

With Ricci dead and gone Ed can be upfront with the sketch...and, tell us whose voice Mary K. heard. There will be no reason to keep the facts in this case secret anymore. I will expect a press conference tomorrow!

[stlnative]

From the court docs (link above)... and the timeline we know, it looks like Ed Smart has known Ricci for quite some time. The burglarly of the neighbors house happened before the Smart home had items stolen, but in the court docs the neighbors state that Ricci was referred to them by Ed Smart, just how long has Ed Smart known Ricci?

[sandude]

I will expect a press conference tomorrow!

I would hope that they would wait until after the funeral in respect for the family.

[lakey]

Press conference tomorrow - I hope you're right.

good-night

[Sherlock]

nite, lakey. quit sticking pins in that doll, will ya?

[Utah Girl]

I remember early in the investigation when the SLPD was still holding press conferences daily, that Dinse wouldn't elaborate on the exact words that the abductor used when he was speaking to Elizabeth. He just said that the abductor had threatened Elizabeth's life. I'll be the police did get pretty close to the exact words from Mary Katherine, and just like on TV, the police recorded several men saying those words, and MK picked out Ricci. Just MY theory, but it kind of goes along with yours.

[sandude]

Just MY theory, but it kind of goes along with yours.

Hey!! Your reading my mind girl. Thanks and where are you now?

[Sherlock]

Press conference

Whenever they hold a press conference I think this will be a subject:

Dinse would not characterize Ricci as a suspect, saying there were "other individuals that we are looking at that may have some kind of connection."

"They also may have some connection to Mr. Ricci," the sheriff said.

I think this is the prelude to LE releasing some new information on the case.

[Utah Girl]

Seattle, until Tuesday...

[sandude]

Seattle, until Tuesday...

Never been there. Hope it's been a good trip. I'm off to bed, got to work tomorrow.

[stlnative]

Court Docs on Ricci and Smart's

Court Docs on Ricci and the Smart Neighbors

A different version of the Smart/Ricci Court Docs?

[Sherlock]

...and MK picked out Ricci

My problem with this is it seems Ed makes comments frequently where he says he is sure Ricci was at least involved, doesn't he? And they gist of these statements is that he was not the person that went into the house.

[Bella]

Ricci was referred to them by Ed Smart, just how long has Ed Smart known Ricci?

Seems they were "good" friends, remember how he addressed him as "Richard"..they may know each other better than anyone knew. I think this is going to be an interesting case because I highly doubt there's even a sketch, and from what I've read about children of the mormon's, they do not disrespect an older person, do as told, etc., then I question why Ed Smart expresses no fear about the security of MK. What he expresses is the importance of MK not being badgered about the details of what she 'witnessed'.

[Sherlock]

Go back to sleep, Bella.

[Utah Girl]

No, that hasn't been posted. Thanks, it dovetails nicely with what Ed Smart said the other night about the theft at the neighbor's.