Handyman's vehicle target of missing girl probe

CNN ^ | June 27, 2002 Posted: 4:18 PM EDT (2018 GMT)

[RoughDobermann]

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (CNN) -- In the investigation into 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart's disappearance, authorities have turned their attention to a Jeep Cherokee owned by the Smart family's former handyman -- one that has miles on its odometer that are unaccounted for, a law enforcement official told CNN Thursday.

[Catspaw]

CNN just reported that Ricci's father-in-law said that items seized in the search (house? vehicle?) were a machete and a golf cap.

[Paleo Conservative]

The 1990 white, four-door Jeep -- in the possession of police -- was given to Ricci by Ed Smart, the girl's father, as partial payment for work done at the family's house.

Unless her blood is found, it will be easy to dismiss forensic evidence linking Elizabeth Smart to the Jeep.

[RoughDobermann]

Law enforcement officials removed a machete from Ricci's in-laws' house, but investigators are not necessarily making a connection between machete and the case, one official said.

From the CNN link above.

[Catspaw]

No golf cap in the story--but it's in the sister's ID.

I keep hoping they find Elizabeth Smart safe, but it's looking bad.

[Utah Girl]

Oh my goodness.

[Positive]

This is the guy.

Like the San Diego (Van Damme sp?) case - the police just can't file charges until they locate the body...can't charge with murder until you can prove that one happened.

This guy has spent 30 of his 50 years in jail - he's a tough cookie - he'll work a deal then cop a plea.

[RoughDobermann]

I wonder what he did with the seat covers he reportedly removed "hurriedly"? Do the police have them?

[homeschool mama]

ping

[Catspaw]

My knees literally got weak when Jean Meserve said, "golf cap." I had to hold onto something when they said, "machete."

[Utah Girl]

This just makes me ill.

[Catspaw]

I haven't heard anymore, but it may be in the next news cycle. I'm going to say a few quiet prayers for the Smarts.

[quark]

Were J. Edgar Hoover alive today and running the FBI, this dirtbag would have confessed long ago. That includes naming his accomplice(s) and the whereabouts of the girl.

Either she was being held for ransom or killed immediately. My guess it that with all the publicity on this Ricci t*rd, she already has been murdered.

The Ramseys, Condit, Westerfield, Ricci. All deserve a firing squad.

[Guennie]

....and yet the part of the interview I saw with his wife, she seemed so believable & honest.

I guess you never know.

[Guennie]

....obviously, I didn't see the whole interview....

...but an attorney was on afterward, and said the wife should have kept her mouth shut, because she actually said she didn't know if her husband 'remained' in bed with her the whole night.

They also have a son, who was due to be baptized.

I kept hoping the guy 'went good'....started a family, and didn't do it.......but the more I hear, the more it doesn't look good for anyone.

[Bella]

MSNBC report coming up now..

[Catspaw]

His wife may well be telling the truth as she perceives, but unless she was awake all night with her eyes glued to Ricci, all she can testify to is what she saw when she was awake. She has no idea of what went on when she was asleep, and drugging her would not be out of the question.

[Rad_J]

Unless her blood is found, it will be easy to dismiss forensic evidence linking Elizabeth Smart to the Jeep.

But, it will not be as easy to dismiss forensic evidence that links Ricci's trailer and the Smart home. If carpet fibers from Ricci's trailer are in the Smart's home, then it is good evidence. Since he recently got married, I would bet that he started living in the trailer after he worked for the Smarts.

[SGCOS]

Handyman's vehicle target of missing girl probe

I was scrolling too fast and thought this said:

Handymans pickle target of missing girl proble.

"You, out of the jar"

[lelio]

No golf cap
What's a "golf cap" -- do you mean club? Or a hat? Did I miss something here?