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

FOX News ^ | March 18, 2003 | Shepard Smith

[ewing]

just the update

[Utah Girl]

The aggravated sexual charges were filed today against Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. The Smarts didn't want the charges filed, but want those two prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their crimes. The Smarts have also hired an attorney for Elizabeth, to protect her own rights. I think the Smarts are doing everything they can to get the Mitchells, and protect Elizabeth as much as they can. It's a real fine line.

[RecentConvert]

I find the lack of physical evidence at the scene (her bedroom) overwhelming..

I don't. How much evidence can a person leave behind if he were to tip-toe into one's room, tap you on the shoulder and force you out at knifepoint? Not much, especially if he's being careful and dressed appropriately.

[homeschool mama]

bump

[SendShaqtoIraq]

If the kidnapping charges fail, THEN they can charge rape, etc.
I don't think the latter will be necessary.

Teresa

[henbane]

If federal charges together with all the others except the assault charges would have been enough to put the two brutes away for the rest of their, why press for the sexual charges? Maybe somebody leaked to the press?

The lid blew off the case today when District Attorney David Yocom charged the pair with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual assault.

The charging document then entered the public domain with all the details you are hearing about.

An inevitable event if the prosecution is to go forward.

[RecentConvert]

Well I was born blonde but I got better.

:). Age is mostly a matter of mind. If you don't mind it, it doesn't matter.

[drstevej]

***I thought they were called "flaming"... not icing!?***

Flaming results in icing (being sent to chill out) if the topic is the wrong one. If you get my drift!

[Sonny M]

There is going to be a probe into how the police handled the investigation, but it appears, that the Police department didn't want to release a sketch of the suspect the younger sister identified. Now I don't know if that means they didn't believe her or what, but part of the parents complaints are that the sisters sketch is accuate to the actual suspect, and another gripe they have, is that the police went after the first suspect and never even conceded that they could be wrong. The sister was made avalable to the cops, but the cops, kept focusing on the original suspect (which the younger sisters story contradicted), and on the family (standard, but usually, they get ruled out eventually, as seems to have happened halfway here). Basically they focused the investigation in 2 directions, and were wrong on both counts, which is why they never actually got Smart, she fell into there laps.

[RecentConvert]

The defense will paint this as two cult members who led astray a young girl into their beliefs so no real harm was done and there could be some nut on the jury who would believe it.

Led astray? She was taken against her will and confined to live in a hole/cave and tied like a little puppy. Kidnapping charges together with the other charges should have been enough to send him to prison for the rest of his damned days.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Yes... I do! :)

[drstevej]

Well, that's why I'm talking about the weather rather than "that" subject. :0) Hope I don't get nailed for climate bashing.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Illbay got banned? I think that is what I heard.

[drstevej]

***Illbay got banned? I think that is what I heard. ***

Illbay signed up 1998-08-31.
This account will be suspended until 2003-03-22 05:28:47.

I will forego any comment, as I'm sure you can understand.

[Sabertooth]

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.

You'd lose. Any decent therapist would make their assessment on a case by case basis.

Until you've seen what a young girl you love goes through in pursuing sexual assault charges, you don't know enough to make that statements you have. The case doesn't stay behind the courtroom doors, and the scrutiny can be unbearable for them. Bill Clinton didn't originate the "nut or slut" smear.

There are no easy answers in this, and if the Smarts feel it's not in the best interests of Elizabeth to pursue that aspect of the case, then I wholeheartedly respect their decision.

[Sabertooth]

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.

Yes, you've taken alien abductions and bigfoot off the table. What's your real agenda?

[cherry]

so Sonny...are you saying that there was a verifiable sketch,just that the cops wouldn't accept it?

since you seem to know the investigation....didn't the cops say initially that the trail was followed to the curb and then disappeared...meaning they thought Liz got into a car?...

the whole investigation got off on the wrong foot...

and then we had Dinse standing there telling us it was a "trusted" person in the community.....oh brother

but I don't understand why no trail could be found up the hill where Mitchell took her....no red pj threads?...no hair...?...did they even look up that hill?

[Utah Girl]

Official papers, affadavits, the charges that were filed, these are the charges against Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. I posted the papers themselves on another thread. Here it is. BTW,according to news reports www.ksl.com, Elizabeth has spent 8-10 hours already being interviewed by the police, and being taken in a helicopter to find the place in the mountains where Mitchell and Barzee held her. A knife, a rope, and a lot of other evidence was gathered by the police.

[henbane]

The Smarts have also hired an attorney for Elizabeth, to protect her own rights.

Looks like the parents have reluctantly agreed to help with the sexual assault charges.

But--good news!

It may be possible to use videotapes of Elizabeth's interviews with detectives instead of forcing her onto the witness stand.

A lawyer who represents Elizabeth, Greg Skordas, said in an interview that including the charges of sexual assault was "certainly a subject of a little debate between the family and prosecutors." The family agreed, Mr. Skordas said, after prosecutors' assurances that they would remain sensitive to Elizabeth's psychological disposition.

Mr. Skordas also said it might even be possible to use videotapes of the 8 to 10 hours of interviews that investigators have already had with Elizabeth.

NYT article

[Utah Girl]

I saw the news conference with David Yocum. He specifically said the sexual charges were being pressed because Mitchell is a vicious sexual predator. And he needs to be put away for life, as does Wanda Barzee. The charges have been filed. I think I am going to have to ping everyone on this thread, and show them the official charges, which include aggravated sexual assault. And the Smarts have said they will cooperate to get those two slimeballs behind bars. I don't know how much more clear it can be. (Sorry, I don't mean to rant at you, but the comments on this thread shows they haven't been following the latest news.)

[bonfire]

Loud and clear here, UG. Thanks for all the info and keeping us on track.