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.

[Bella]

Didn't I call that one right. LOLOL

[varina davis]

IMHO this poor man and his family have suffered enough with this horrible tragedy that has been perpetrated on them without having to endure this kind of immaturity.

Umm... are they reading this thread, sherlock? Only you would know, of course.

As for the rest of your post, it's nothing more than another batch of character assasination of those who disagree with your opinions.

[Neenah]

Press Conference at 3:00 p.m. today.

(posting for anyone just getting on the new page here)

[varina davis]

Thanks for the head up, Neenah.

[FR_addict]

The mere thought that we should have waited, because the doctors might have been wrong, horrifies me, that one would even suggest I pulled the plug too soon, suggests I prefered to see my son dead...Nothing could be further from the truth....I would have done anything in the world to have my son alive, if it were possible...one can come back from 'minimal brain function'....one does not come back to life, if one is truly 'brain dead', verified by multiple and repeated testings...

I am truly sorry for your loss and I believe that your family did all you could. I don't think the posters meant anything by giving Ricci a little longer to make sure he was brain dead. Evidently he had responses to stimuli and swelling of the brain may have hidden some minimal functions.

Some hospitals and doctors start telling the family to pull the plug too soon. I went through my mother's death and my father's. My mother died of an aneurysm, she was in a coma for a week. Logically, I knew she was dead, but wasn't ready to accept this. My dad and my older sister made a decision to pull support. I didn't even know they made this decision until many years later when my sister was crying about the decision. I would have hated to make the decision myself.

Now when my father was dying the doctors were definitely telling us to give up (about the same time the insurance was running out). He still had his brain functions. After he died, I told my husband that I didn't want any doctor to make the decision and to make sure I was gone before the doctors pulled a plug.

So I've gone through the experience and understand your post and really truly think you made the right decision, but I sure understand the poster that said make sure I'm dead before the plug is pulled.

[sandude]

So in essence, MK gave them the name of the man who took her sister.

I do think that MK has identified the abductor's voice. My speculation that she ID'd Ricci is based on the statements the family made between 1 Aug and 14 Aug. There is a movement in those statements from doubt to sureness that Ricci was involved. In between those two dates is Lois' original statement that MK had recognized the voice. I also feel that if MK had pointed to someone other than Rick then the family's composure at their press outings would have been much more animated, anxious that LE may break the case with the new lead. We should know fairly soon whether or not I'm correct. If she ID'd Richard then I can't think of a good reason to keep that from the public now other than waiting until after Richard's funeral out of respect towards his family.

[FR_addict]

What time zone?

[sandude]

And I think you yourself have commented how Ed was a little bit cheap, cutting corners and hiring people and paying them cash and all.

I haven't said that but it certainly would seem that was the case. I would say though that most handymen are not ex-cons. Ed also has a predisposition to trust people because of his religious beliefs. Utah is sometimes referred to as the scam capitol of the world because people are overly trusting and gullible. I don't know if this is statistically true but it certainly is a problem there.

[Neenah]

What time zone?

What ever time zone...in about 12 minutes from NOW.

[Neenah]

Yep, we'll soon see.

[stlnative]

I am unable to watch it because the hubby is watching the baseball game. Please keep us up to date here on what is said. Thank you!

[stlnative]

JG knows how I feel, I not out to cram my opinion on others. JG will not give me any hell because of this and because he already knows how I feel. I never had been set at 100% on any certain person. I just feel that the close family is not involved.

[Neenah]

I am unable to watch it because the hubby is watching the baseball game. Please keep us up to date here on what is said. Thank you!

I will do my best....In the meantime, you just run over to him and give him a big hug and kiss and whisper in his ear that you would love to have the t.v. for 5 min. LOL !! (right about then, a homerun will be made !)

[cherry]

"...(I am talking here of DNA that could be dated, or blood) If they found fingerprints in the house..an arrest would be made.."

Neenah....blood and fingerprints can not be dated...fingerprints are known to stay put for several years evidentally...

the only thing that I can think of that would put Lizzie in that jeep would be LARGER Fingerprints and red fibers from her jammies...

I am not saying she is dead....but we have to face the reality..

so if this is purely a burglary gone bad...why kill the child???.....why not just take your chances or run for the hills instead of killing the girl....how could anyone...how could anyone do that >>>

[Neenah]

yes, understand. Hope you got the drift of what I was saying in full tho.

[Neenah]

PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT TO BEGIN....

[stlnative]

ok... I am here waitng for someone to type in what what said!!! Please Please Please!

[stlnative]

what = was (well one of those what's)

[Neenah]

Another NOTHING press conf....will type it up, if I can read my notes !

[stlnative]

Well if it was nothing don't bother. Just give me a short recap.