[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]

Yes, hopefully that will be an option in this case. I saw a child witness expert who said that it is best for the case if the child victims testify. But for some, that is impossible, so it is possible to do the questioning in the judge's chambers, or on videotape.

[FITZ]

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

The Smarts reluctance doesn't bother me --they've been through an awfully lot ---but what bothers me is this Emmanual had already sexually assaulted other children and was not prosecuted or in prisoned for those assaults. Too bad we can't get these vicious pedophiles locked up away from all children long before they do so much damage.