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Police now say abductor of 14-year-old Utah girl didn't know he was watched by her sister
AP | June 18, 2002 | RICH VOSEPKA

Posted on 06/18/2002 10:50:57 AM PDT by The Energizer

Police now say abductor of 14-year-old Utah girl didn't know he was watched by her sister

By RICH VOSEPKA=

Associated Press Writer=

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Police investigating the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart said Tuesday the man was not aware that the girl's little sister witnessed the apparent abduction.

Two weeks ago, Elizabeth was taken by gunpoint from the queen-sized bed shared by the two girls in the Federal Heights home.

He told Elizabeth to grab some shoes and as he left with her.

Although it was earlier reported that 9-year-old Mary Katherine Smart had been warned to remain quiet, police who interviewed the youngster several times now say the man did not speak to the child. The little sister waited two hours before alerting her parents.

``We believe this man may be a trusted person in the neighborhood or community,'' said Salt Lake City Police Capt. Scott Atkinson. The kidnapper was calm, he added.

Police reiterated their description of their suspect: A white man, 30 to 40 years old, with dark hair and hair on his arms and back of his hands. He was wearing tan pants, dark shoes, lighter jacket and a golf hat. He held a small handgun.

``He spoke nicely and dressed nicely,'' Atkinson said.

On Tuesday, Atkinson held up a similar pair of tennis shoes that the kidnapper allowed Elizabeth to take with her. They were white Ralph Lauren athletic shoes with dark stripes and thick soles.

Investigators still want to talk to Bret Michael Edmunds, who continues to elude them. Edmunds isn't a suspect, but he was spotted near the Smart's home two days before the kidnapping, leading police to think he might have information in the case.

``I believe Edmunds is a witness to something, we don't know what,'' Atkinson said.

Edmunds is wanted for parole violation and spraying pepper spray at a West Valley policeman who stopped him.

The community is offering a $250,000 reward for the girl's safe return. Neighborhoods are organizing searches for the teen after a centralized search effort was disbanded Friday.

A Web site to help find Elizabeth has had more than 8 million hits, which overloaded the system, said Ted Wilson, former Salt Lake City mayor.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Utah
KEYWORDS: abduction; elizabethsmart; kidnapping; missing; utah
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Comment #181 Removed by Moderator

To: Neenah
Well, thank goodness you showed up!!! I was beginning to get worried.........
182 posted on 06/18/2002 2:20:35 PM PDT by freedox
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To: Go Dub Go
...with dark hair and hair on his arms and back of his hands.

Huh?... 'on his hands'

...ON? ok. start checking now for RECENTLY SHAVED BACK OF HANDS.

183 posted on 06/18/2002 2:23:18 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: Neenah
It also compromises the investigation if authorities give out too much information. In the early days after something like this, "tips" are pouring in, and a large percentage of them are hoaxes of some sort. Making only a vague outline of information public makes it easy to sort out real tips from hoaxes, saving investigators' valuable time by avoiding the pursuit of many phony tips. Giving out detailed information allows many phony tipsters to create credible claims that take some time to de-bunk.
184 posted on 06/18/2002 2:23:49 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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To: Go Dub Go
Again, this "information" has been de-bunked by police in their press conferences. They say that as far as they know, the family called police as soon as they learned that Elizabeth was missing. The delay was between the abduction and the little sister telling the parents.
185 posted on 06/18/2002 2:25:54 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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To: freedox
Hey, partner...I have two..count them..two 2 trials going on, and my dog pooped on the carpet while I was engaged in solving one of them. LOL

I repremanded him to authorities !

186 posted on 06/18/2002 2:26:15 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: GovernmentShrinker
That is true...but...when it is the FAMILY that is saying most of it, you have to wonder. Ask yourself this...If it was your little girl, would you give out false information?
187 posted on 06/18/2002 2:28:48 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: freedox
Don't be so defensive. It was an honest question. You were wondering why she went willingly with her abductor, and mentioned 3 possibilities. Considering it has been reported by the police, to my knowledge, that the perp had a handgun, I didn't understand the point to your questions unless you were under the impression the perp didn't have a gun.
188 posted on 06/18/2002 2:29:29 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: freedox
see post 173
189 posted on 06/18/2002 2:30:59 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: GovernmentShrinker
I think the other reasons conflict with the perp having a gun. Hence the question.
190 posted on 06/18/2002 2:31:53 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: TheDon
..Considering it has been reported by the police, to my knowledge, that the perp had a handgun,

What do you have to say now that the POLICE have said today, that Mary Katherine NEVER SAID that the perp had a gun?

When the police are giving out false info ...I walk with a question mark above my head. (not yelling at you...just stating a fact.)

191 posted on 06/18/2002 2:33:38 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: RedBloodedAmerican
4 a.m? I thought the dad said she was missing at their morning prayer time around 7 or so.

I saw that reported in another thread and was wondering about it too. It didn't make sense since the police were called at 4am. I don't remember if it said 7 though. Maybe they get up at 4 for morning prayer.

192 posted on 06/18/2002 2:34:16 PM PDT by FR_addict
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To: Neenah
I think it is the media which is reporting false information, what a surprise! I think the family is following the direction of the police investigators on what to say and what not to say to the media.
193 posted on 06/18/2002 2:34:41 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: TheDon
# 180
194 posted on 06/18/2002 2:37:11 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: Neenah
You're too funny. First I ask you where you heard the perp didn't have a gun, and you jump me. Now you're telling me the police are saying the perp didn't have a gun. Sigh... Don't hurt me, but where is this reported?
195 posted on 06/18/2002 2:37:11 PM PDT by TheDon
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To: TheDon
LOL...I am too little to hurt you !

At 4:00 p.m. today, I had on Court TV, with the Westerfield trial..the Anchor and several professional guests were talking about the case, and stated that this information was released this afternoon !!

They also were UPSET by it !! It was not the media, or the family..it was the Police. I am only reporting what was said on Court T.V.,and I do not believe they would say the police gave that information, if in fact (little legal lingo ) they didn't. Friends? Truce? LOL

196 posted on 06/18/2002 2:41:31 PM PDT by Neenah
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To: Atsilvquodi
One must be careful not to judge too quickly - lest he be judged himself.

I think we're fine with both sides of that equation. To publicly speculate and mentally investigate such a high-profile case does not make a person a vicious Mormon-bashing lout insensitive to this delicate and beautiful family's feelings. This is a public set of clues being examined. Thinking is to be encouraged, despite attempts to invoke the Bible in warning it away. We have a God-given ability to reason.
197 posted on 06/18/2002 2:41:33 PM PDT by Vinomori
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To: Neenah
As the police have repeatedly emphasized, the family is cooperating with them fully in the investigation. This includes following investigators' instructions as to what information to disclose and what not to. And yes, if it was my little girl, I expect I'd follow professional investigators' instructions carefully (and I'd probably sound awkward and contrived while doing it, because the statements wouldn't come naturally to me). The investigators are in all likelihood giving the family some explanation of their thinking behind withholding certain information. Why on earth wouldn't the family cooperate with the investigators' approach? And can you imagine what conspiracy-minded freepers would be saying about the family if it became known that they WEREN'T cooperating fully?
198 posted on 06/18/2002 2:45:13 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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To: MrNeutron1962
I wonder if there was any kidnapper at all, how about a new "Husband" taking his new wife. I know, I’ve seen the rants about how a Mormon father would never give up his daughter to a polygamist, blah, blah, blah. I’m even willing to admit that the parents angst is genuine. But I’m beginning to wonder if it is for the reasons that we have been led to suspect, or is it that she ran off to set up housekeeping with one of the 100 or so cousins.

THAT was my husband's gut feeling from the beginning, which I said was off the wall. I'm beginning to wonder now. Hey stranger things have happened, ya never know.

199 posted on 06/18/2002 2:46:14 PM PDT by DreamWeaver
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To: Utah Girl
You're a woman, so I'll excuse your abject ignorance (since all true "Mormons" know that females have the mental capacity of grasshoppers).

You have not now nor will you ever become the owner of a "Fleem-jacket." However, bear in mind that when you, as a female, ascend the fifth distaff portal, you will of course get a FLEER-Jacket of your very own. Just suffice it to say that it is like a pale imitation of the power and mystery of the Fleem-jacket, but with more ruffles and flouncy things.

200 posted on 06/18/2002 2:46:54 PM PDT by Illbay
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