[Utah Girl]

Thanks for the ping. I just got off the phone with my mom (again) and she said that SLC deputies are on their way to West Virginia to question Edmunds. The local news said that when Ed Smart heard the news, he broke down emotionally. I am praying that this is the break in the case that the police need to find Elizabeth. I am praying for the family and for Elizabeth.

[Shermy]

Report: Utah Man Wanted For Questioning In Custody - Edmunds Is Not Considered Kidnap Suspect

The man who's wanted for questioning in connection with the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping is reportedly in custody in Martinsburg, W. Va.

A spokesman for the U.S. Marshals office told CNN that Bret Michael Edmunds checked into a hospital yesterday under a bogus name -- but authorities were able to figure out who he was.

Police have repeatedly said they don't consider Edmunds a suspect, but may have seen something in the Federal Heights neighborhood that would help the investigation.

The transient, living out of his Saturn sedan, had been seen near the Smart neighborhood. The green Saturn was found at the hospital in Martinsburg.

Edmunds was spotted near the Smart home two days before Elizabeth Smart's disappearance.

The search is over two weeks old, but some 10,000 people are expected to spend part of the weekend looking for the 14-year-old girl.

A former mayor of Salt Lake City, Ted Wilson, thinks it could be more. He's impressed with how well the effort is going -- and said groups are calling in to join the effort.

Elizabeth's father, Ed, was tearful again Friday as he spoke to reporters. He pleaded with the girl's kidnapper to let her go. Smart said, "I would do anything to have her back in my arms."

He said he and the family still feel she's alive.

Police said they've given polygraph tests to a number of people -- including some of the 14-year-old girl's family members. They won't comment on the results.

And Salt Lake City police still don't have a suspect in her disappearance.

Chief Rick Dinse said they've also searched the hard drives of a dozen computers, but haven't found anything linked to the crime. They say the girl's family members willingly turned their computers over to police.

Dinse said police still need to check out about 400 of the thousands of leads they've been given.

Police said they've also discounted a ransom note which was e-mailed to the TV show "America's Most Wanted." Dinse said the note was received after the date it gave for turning over the ransom

[twigs]

I do so hope that you are right! I woke up at 3:30 am last night with chest pains, but with Mary Katherine on my mind. After I prayed for her and Elizabeth, the pains went away. I personally do not think Edmunds had anything to do with this. In fact, I hope he didn't, b/c I don't think that would be good news for Elizabeth. But I hope he saw something that can bring resolution for this poor family! I just can't imagine.

[Mo1]

The local news said that when Ed Smart heard the news, he broke down emotionally.

I saw his news conference and my heart just broke .. I am praying he finds his little girl very soon

[Catspaw]

Ah, Utah Girl, that explains why the Smarts were distraught today. I was wondering if they knew something we didn't. And now it's obvious that they did.

My prayers for that family.

[glock rocks]

U.G. i'll stand by my previous statement that this guy has nothing to do with the
girl's abduction... i think the cops just took advantage of the attention to get him.
he was a down-and-out who slept in his car... and did so in the avenues. after the
girl was abducted, he moved to draper to sleep in his car, but there is nothing to indicate that he
had anything to do with Elizabeth's disappearance... and the slpd and fbi say the same.

otoh, i pray for this girl, and her family... this is so sad.

[Enterprise]

I hope this a break in the case too. I wouldn't get my hopes up for the girl though. Some jailhouse lawyer, or a fame-seeking ACLU snot will get to him and tell him to invoke his Miranda rights and say nothing. Then if he IS responsible two things are likely - He will never be convicted, and she will never be found.