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Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 18
06/23/02 | Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 18

Posted on 06/22/2002 10:17:01 PM PDT by stlnative

June 22, 2002 - Late Evening Report

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) _ A hospitalized drifter sought for questioning in the disappearance of a teenager in Utah was alert and talking with investigators Saturday.

Bret Michael Edmunds, 26, was cooperating with investigators, said FBI spokesman Kevin Eaton. Salt Lake City police sought Edmunds for questioning in connection with the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her family's home June 5.


Wanted for Questioning

Bret Michael Edmunds

  • 6"2'
  • 235 lbs.
  • 1997 green Saturn
  • Considered Dangerous

"He's talking to us. He's not telling us, 'go away, I want a lawyer,"' Eaton said.

But investigators won't say what information Edmunds is giving them. They will release information after Salt Lake City detectives have a chance to interpret Edmunds' responses.

Questioning Edmunds likely will not substantially affect the Smart case because he was only a possible witness and not a suspect, Eaton said.

"We've been hitting five to six promising areas, and we've been concentrating on a lot of important stuff" not related to Edmunds, Eaton said.

Edmunds remained in serious condition in a secure section of intensive care at City Hospital under the watch of U.S. marshals. He is being treated for a drug-related liver damage.

"He's conscious, he's coherent and he's talking," hospital spokeswoman Teresa McCabe said.

Edmunds, who appeared at the hospital Friday, began talking with a Salt Lake City police officer and FBI agent Saturday morning. Doctors monitored Edmunds' condition to ensure he was up to the questioning.

McCabe said Edmunds would stay at the hospital at least three or four days. She would not divulge details of his condition, citing confidentiality rules.

Edmunds is being held on a federal warrant charging him with fleeing to avoid prosecution for a probation violation. The charges are unrelated to the Smart case.

"He is still not a suspect at this time," Police Chief Rick Dinse said. "He's a question mark, and we want to put a period on that question mark."

Edmunds, who was living out of his Saturn sedan, had been seen in the Smart neighborhood the week the girl vanished. While Elizabeth's sister described the alleged kidnapper as a 5-foot-8 man, Edmunds stands 6-foot-2.

A Saturn found in the hospital parking lot was photographed, impounded and towed away. Police saw nothing suspicious through the windows, and are seeking a search warrant.

Also Saturday, sheriff's deputies said cadaver dogs were unable to find a scent at a subdivision near Salt Lake City. A police search was prompted after dogs owned by search volunteers apparently picked up an unusual scent.

Edmunds has been sought since last fall for outstanding warrants on charges of fraud and assault on a police officer in Utah. He had served 60 days and was put on probation in 2000 for stealing and forging checks.

When he is physically able, Edmunds will be taken to a magistrate for a hearing, the marshals service said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Utah; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: bretedmunds; elizabethsmart; kidnapping; utah; westvirginia
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To: John Jamieson
Other mittigating factors. (all rumor of course):

1. Elizabeth had a dramatic reduction in grades within the last six weeks. All A's to D's and F's.

2. She was scheduled to see a psychologist to discuss the abrupt change in behavior.

21 posted on 06/22/2002 10:43:50 PM PDT by Partisan Hack
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To: Partisan Hack
The Smarts swore on live national tv that they called the police first. They said check the phone records. Didn't sound right to me either since the police got the call at 4:02am? By then there were neighbors and family in the house. Uncle Tom lives 30 miles away. Does anyone know if he was in the house when the police got there?
22 posted on 06/22/2002 10:44:28 PM PDT by dc-zoo
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To: dc-zoo
Angelic girl attracts demonic attention-check their Preachers basement
23 posted on 06/22/2002 10:44:57 PM PDT by Crazymonarch
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To: jnarcus
The NE story stated that there was a diary detailing homosexual activity by the Dad and the two uncles. Also said that things aren't exactly as they seem

I heard the father during another one of his statements in front of a microphone, and it hit me that he is lying. His fake crying-talking is no longer working for me. It is the exact same voice as Susan Smith.

There is a bombshell at the end of this story, I just know it.

24 posted on 06/22/2002 10:44:59 PM PDT by Semper911
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To: Partisan Hack
Could be important. I have had similar experiences with troubled teenagers, and that is a bad sign. Inside information? or do you have a source?
25 posted on 06/22/2002 10:48:46 PM PDT by John Jamieson
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To: John Jamieson
Poor sources. Bar talk mostly. You know: "my wife's sister works for the police department and they said...blah, blah, blah..."

I think it's good to throw it all out there though. How many times before have the so called wild rumors turned out to be fact?

I've lost the ability to be shocked.

26 posted on 06/22/2002 10:48:56 PM PDT by Partisan Hack
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To: Partisan Hack
I think you need to catch up with the facts in this case. The Police have verified that they received the FIRST call from the Smart family at 4:01am, then the other calls were made to the rest of the family because the family said it seemed to take forever for the police to get there.
27 posted on 06/22/2002 10:49:06 PM PDT by stlnative
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To: Semper911
Closed community and authority figures,most girls would scream or freak,she went quietly-suggests to me a trust/abuse bond allready existed with the perp
28 posted on 06/22/2002 10:49:22 PM PDT by Crazymonarch
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To: Partisan Hack
1st call after Elizabeth was "discovered" missing: The Uncle, Tom Smart.
2nd call: The Smart's Bishop.
3rd call: The police.

I hadn't heard those specifics before...Where was that reported? I had just heard/read that they called some neighbors first before calling police. In fact, I recall an interview published in the paper that said the uncle (Tom) got a call between 2:30 and 3:00am and by the time he got to the house the police had already arrived and had the house sealed as a crime scene.

It has been reported that some neighbors had come over and gone searching for Elizabeth through the house before police arrived.

You also mentioned some 'wild rumors' about the dad staging the kidnapping for ransom money, I hadn't heard those rumors (other than some pretty wild scandal-monging here at FR over the last couple of days). Where were you when you heard those rumors??

29 posted on 06/22/2002 10:49:30 PM PDT by LakerCJL
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To: Partisan Hack
Quote..How do you know there hasn't been a ransom demand?

How do you know there HAS been a ransom demand? Police have said no such thing. The news hounds would have dug it up by now if there was one.

30 posted on 06/22/2002 10:49:32 PM PDT by dc-zoo
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To: Semper911
I totally agree with your bombshell at the end of this. Something here stinks worse than a dead fish. This ain't one normal family we are dealing with here. Warped around the edges. Will be fascinating to see where this all goes. Fascinating to everyone except for Elizabeth, that is. Just miserably sad for her.
31 posted on 06/22/2002 10:51:44 PM PDT by flaglady47
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To: Partisan Hack
1. Elizabeth had a dramatic reduction in grades within the last six weeks. All A's to D's and F's. 2. She was scheduled to see a psychologist to discuss the abrupt change in behavior.

if any of that is true....throw in the fact that Elizabeth missed her harp presentation at the school that night....for some reason, the family was late....to her concert at her school...which would have been very important to her, don't you think

32 posted on 06/22/2002 10:52:01 PM PDT by cherry
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To: LakerCJL
actually 'went' to their neighbors' houses first before calling police (didn't 'call' the neighbors).
33 posted on 06/22/2002 10:52:21 PM PDT by LakerCJL
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To: cherry
1. Elizabeth had a dramatic reduction in grades within the last six weeks. All A's to D's and F's. 2. She was scheduled to see a psychologist to discuss the abrupt change in behavior.

What's the source for that?? If that IS true, that does add a new dimension to this case...

34 posted on 06/22/2002 10:54:18 PM PDT by LakerCJL
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To: John Jamieson
John, I've also come to belive that if we keep ourselves from believing the worst, the investigation is hindered.

See: Danielle VanDam Case.

The idea that a sick, twisted motive is not possible, in conjunction with a very protectective community is a recipee for the case never being solved.

See: Jonbenet Ramsey.

We have to consider the darkest sicknesses to get at the truth.

35 posted on 06/22/2002 10:56:43 PM PDT by Partisan Hack
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To: cherry
I've seen this in love sick teenagers before, but 14 is kinda of early. I raised 10, 6 Mormons.

Surely the police don't believe that she just ran off with Romeo, or they would have stopped the investigation?

36 posted on 06/22/2002 10:57:54 PM PDT by John Jamieson
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To: Partisan Hack
and that sickness is well protected
37 posted on 06/22/2002 10:59:22 PM PDT by Crazymonarch
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To: Semper911
I heard the father during another one of his statements in front of a microphone, and it hit me that he is lying. His fake crying-talking is no longer working for me. It is the exact same voice as Susan Smith.

I may be farther off base then I have very been, but you hit the nail right on the head as far as I am concerned.  That is exacly the same impression that I had.  He'd break into a forced sobbing at the wierdest places.  My kids used to pull that when they were in trouble.  It was totally fake IMO.  We shall see.  I hope to hell this isn't going to be another case that never gets solved like that poor little beauty queen girl.  Can't remember her name right now, but I have always been sad at the way she met her end, and at the fact that her killer got away.

38 posted on 06/22/2002 10:59:53 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: brigette
Looks like we have a disrupter on board this thread, see Partisan Hack. I guess everyone needs a hobby...sigh...
39 posted on 06/22/2002 11:00:49 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: dc-zoo
I think the police are propping the family up so that they continue to dig themselves deeper and deeper. They don't want to turn the public against them....yet.
40 posted on 06/22/2002 11:01:22 PM PDT by Partisan Hack
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