Smart Case, July 23, 2002

07/23/02 | Jolly Green

[Jolly Green]

Wild-Eyed Speculation, Half-baked Theories and Myths
Theory(?)	Facts
Richard Ricci has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, though several of his "theme park" pals are under suspicion.	- Ricci is a 5-time loser, having been convicted of burglarizing a food bank and shooting a police officer. He has recently been indicted on three additional state charges including theft at the Smart residence and burglary of a Smart neighbor. Additionally, he has been recently indicted on three federal charges related to two bank robberies. - Ricci worked for the Smarts last year for several months and was paid with a white Jeep in lieu of cash. He had full access to the house and may very well have had a key to the Smart residence. Ricci and two others were fired when some items were stolen from the home. Ricci later approached Ed Smart and said he wasn't involved and wanted his job back. Ed Smart declined to rehire him. - Ricci lives in a trailer park in West Jordan that is now referred to as a "theme park" because of the large number of Ricci convicted felon friends living there. - Ricci has no credible alibi for the period during and shortly after the abduction. He is believed to have put an additional 1000 miles on the Jeep during a period when he claimed the Jeep was in Moul's shop. Moul also reported that Ricci removed several trash bags, the seat covers and a post hole digger and carried them across the street. - Ricci had both opportunity and motive.
Ed Smart and Richard Ricci were gay lovers. This is based upon Ed Smart's pleading before the media for Ricci to come clean, where he used phrases like "Help me, Richard".	This theory was eloquently refuted by Jengaio and it hasn't reared its ugly head recently.
Elizabeth Smart had a nose ring, must have been rebellious and ran away. Later, proponents shifted emphasis to "piercings" so as not to offend those who believe this to be utter nonsense.	Numerous photographs of Elizabeth Smart show no indication of a nose ring and the existence of a nose ring has never been reported by any credible news source.
Moul, the mechanic, lied to the grand jury and in TV interviews. Some of the scenarios: He knows more than he is telling; his eyesight is bad; he made it up; he is in cahoots with Ricci; he used Ricci's Jeep without Ricci's permission.	Moul has no criminal record and no motive. What's more his vehicle logs corroborate his testimony.
Elizabeth Smart's aunt, in a televised interview said the police "are working with us". Implications: This surely must mean that the Smarts and their influential friends and church must be controlling/thwarting the 100-man SLCPD/FBI task force	While this is "grasping" of the highest order, we will ask Jengaio to analyze the phrazing.

[sandude]

A
A & E
B

[freedox]

Well, FWIW, Ed Smart's latest announcement doesn't seem to be getting much play on the news.......or on this forum, for that matter. Too little, too late, perhaps?

[Neenah]

1. Who do YOU believe is the most responsible for Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping?

I don't think anyone can answer that because of withheld information to this point....but of your choices, I will say..

E) A person or group not yet named by police or media

2. Whose fault is it that this case has not been solved yet?

E) Nobody's fault. These things just take time

3. Do you believe that Elizabeth is alive?

A) YES

[Neenah]

I would be interested to know how the FBI and the SLCPD feel about these press conferences of Mr. Smart. Do the PD want him telling this if it is true?

And who said that the composite is not being released? Waaaaa?

What is the purpose of having a sketch artist? I thought it was for the public consumption to help locate the girl.I refer you to little Samantha's murder and the recollection given by a little 5 yr. old angel.

I thought first, Mr. and Mrs. Smart were enthusiastic to have that famous lady sketch artist come in the beginning to do a sketch...Then it was STOPPED.

Then it was reported that MK didn't get a look at his face, so a sketch artist would not be helpful, she couldn't give a face description.

Now, almost 2 months in..and she has given her recolection of what he looked like to a sketch artist, and THEY ARE NOT RELEASING IT? ....

And Mr. Smart told this to whoever, and it was reported on Fox? Waaaa?

[Pistacio]

Breaking news on Pratt...she is Home Safe!!!

[freedox]

Well, at least there seem to be three of us here who are on the same page.......or at least close to it.

[Palladin]

RE: Fox report that there is now a sketch--why bother, if they're not going to release it? Why are they playing these games?

[per loin]

Why are they playing these games?

Dunno. But there've been enough played that the media ought be doing a bit of investigative journalism. Or do they leave that to the Enquirer?

[GovernmentShrinker]

It's possible that Ricci had one or more accomplices in a crime he committed during the time period in question, and that those accomplices have made threats to him sufficient to keep him quiet. The threats may have been to harm or kill his son and/or parents and/or siblings. Since he knows he's going to prison for the rest of his life anyway (or at least until he's a feeble old geezer), what's the point in cooperating, even if he had nothing to do with the Smart case? He's already told them he had nothing to do with it, and he just might be telling the truth. And the police wouldn't gain anything by withdrawing the offer of immunity -- as has already been illustrated, blocking out a period of a few days from prosecution doesn't put much of a damper on bringing new charges against this guy, as he seems to commit crimes pretty much constantly.

[Yellowcat]

I just don't have the feeling that the abductor and Elizabeth walked too far. I think a car was parked maybe a few blocks away and they had to go through back yards and probably brush and trees to reach it in a secluded spot where it was left.

I think this was a kidnapping for money cooked up by Ricci and one or some of his prison buddies (maybe while they were still in prison) to make a bunch of money. It went off like clockwork but they hadn't counted on the mass publicity or how quickly the police and FBI would come knocking on their doors. Somebody chickened out and the ransom for money was quickly dropped! I think it was the person who was responsible for taking care of Elizabeth until the money was received. I believe this is as yet a person unknown to the police and FBI, and this person was probably the mastermind of the whole thing. I think Ricci knows who he/she is but maybe the others involved don't know. I am sorry to say I believe after this long a time, that the person who had Elizabeth is long gone and he probably didn't take Elizabeth with him. I don't think she is with him any more and she is probably not alive. I think he probably buried all the evidence and Ricci knows if he confessed his part in the abduction, he would be left holding the bag alone.

[Palladin]

Investigative journalism...what's that, in a state with a controlled press? At least the NE and Globe come in with a fresh perspective and no strings attached.

This latest sleight of hand by Ed Smart has made me angry. There is absolutely no point in getting Boylan involved now, nearly 3 months after the fact. Mary Katherine's recollections must surely be tainted by now. She must have overheard family discussions about Ricci. Like all 9 yo's, she wants to be helpful and to please her parents and grandparents. Of course the sketch is going to look like Ricci!