FOX News -Smart Family Doesn't Want Sexual Assualt Charges Filed Against MItchells

FOX News ^ | March 18, 2003 | Shepard Smith

[ewing]

just the update

[ewing]

I ca understand this with the kidnapping evidence that Elizabeth led the police to today at the campsite.

The other charges are probably enough for life and there doesn't seem to be a need for Elizabeth to testify

[RAT Patrol]

Now that everyone knows it happened, why not make him pay for it. I'd prosecute the perverts for everything. I'm sure it's hard on Elizabeth, but facing the truth and fighting back will be better for her than pretending it didn't happen. I bet most therapists would agree with that. She can't will it away and it wasn't her fault. By fighting it in court she can prove to herself that it wasn't her fault. Sexual assault victims, especially young ones, often erroneously feel guilt.

My heart goes out to that child. May God give her the strength to face it.

[RAT Patrol]

They also feel like damaged goods. She has GOT to understand that that's not true. She is as morally pure as she ever was. She just tragically became the victim of a couple of perverts.

This just breaks my heart. I wish someone would just shoot those creeps.

[Nita Nuprez]

There are pros and cons for both viewpoints. Only Elizabeth and her parents can make this important decision, and the rest of the world should be satisfied with it and just move on.

Sooooo........ When does Operation Iraqi Freedom start?

[dwilli]

Easiest route for the child, They have enough evidence to convict without her testimony. Now hope the defense lawyer isn't jerk enough to somehow try to call her as a witness for the >b>defense.</b>

[rundy]

It appears that if the Smart family were to prevail, Brian David Mitchell will have been elevated to the level of William Jefferson Clinton: rape and numerous gropings with no charges and no consequences for having done so.

Sad indeed!

[Itzlzha]

FOX News -Smart Family Doesn't Want Sexual Assualt Charges Filed Against Mitchells

Am I the only one smelling a rat here, and it ain't Dasshole?

Could she have been bartered/sold/traded/? Was the family blackmailed? Did they know where she was?

Something here ain't right.

[CheneyChick]

Yup, and what comes around, goes around. He will get his. I'm not worried about that....

[DainBramage]

This might possibly be the first wise move I've seen them make.

[nicmarlo]

If they pressed charges for sexual assault, Elizabeth would be questioned, in all matter of things, all kinds of nasty specifics would have to come out.....humiliating her for the rest of her life......poor girl.

[nicmarlo]

Am I the only one smelling a rat here, and it ain't Dasshole?

You're smelling nothing but your own .......

If she pressed charges, the defendant has the right to defend himself against those charges; his attorney would have the right to ask Elizabeth ANY QUESTION HE WANTED, and have the right for ANSWERS WITH SPECIFICITY. She's only 14....why put her through this???? I wouldn't to either of my daughters.

[not-an-ostrich]

What isn't right is Mitchell says he will defend himself which would mean he could cross examine Elizabeth. What a nightmare. The monster could say anything!!

[ml/nj]

One of the problems here is that it shouldn't really be their choice. It is supposed to be the People vs. whomever. The Smarts are witnesses. It's too bad that that's the way it is, but letting it go just encourages others to think they can get away with similar crimes against other children.

ML/NJ

[mombonn]

As long as the other charges put these two perverts away for the rest of their days, I can understand why the Smarts would do this.

That poor girl has been through enough already If she doesn't have to testify to such things, I think she'd be better off. Only sick people would want details.

[demnomo]

Sigh. Just you wait. There will be posters who will claim that Elizabeth went willingly with that smelly-looking, ugly creep and cite this as evidence, despite the ugly news reports concerning her early captivity and insanemarriage ceremony to that pervert.

Elizabeth Smart will not be the first rape survivor who doesnt wish to testify against her perpetrator. I know that it is puzzling for many people who believe that every woman is chomping at the bit to take the stand and relive her horror just to get back at a rapist. Sad to say, it is very difficult for some women to testify in these sorts of cases. They feel responsible, ashamed and embarrassed about what happened to them. (Contrary to popular opinion, not all women want their rape details made public.) Do I wish that she and others like her would be brave enough to testify and get these creeps?--YES! But my past experience as a rape crisis counselor has made me understand that many women just want to talk to others in private about their rape and try to get on with their lives.

I have even had clients in the past who were afraid to tell their husbands, family members and friends. They do this not just out of shame, but because they are sincerely afraid that their loved ones might do something rash or, in some cases, not believe their story!

[lady lawyer]

It IS the prosecutor's choice. But if the kidnapping charges are enough to put the two of them away for life, then what is to be gained by forcing Elizabeth to describe every detail of what they did to her in public. The prosecutor might choose to honor the family's wishes.

[cajungirl]

Oh cripes sake,,can't you get it why a parent wouldn't want the child to get on the stand with the like of people just waiting to hear the sordid details and attack. If you don't understand a parents need to protect a child,,they have enough to send them away for life on kidnapping alone,,,then you are either not a parent or lack some basic kind of human kindness.

[ml/nj]

She's only 14....why put her through this???? I wouldn't to either of my daughters.

So I guess you're against prosecuting any case against anyone who rapes a child? After all, that child victim might have to testify.

The reason to "put her through all of this" (if that really has to happen) is to protect your daughters.

ML/NJ

[mombonn]

Cheers, sweetie.