Bret Michael Edmunds
- 6"2'
- 235 lbs.
- 1997 green Saturn
- Considered Dangerous
Posted on 06/22/2002 10:17:01 PM PDT by stlnative
June 22, 2002 - Late Evening Report
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) _ A hospitalized drifter sought for questioning in the disappearance of a teenager in Utah was alert and talking with investigators Saturday.
Bret Michael Edmunds, 26, was cooperating with investigators, said FBI spokesman Kevin Eaton. Salt Lake City police sought Edmunds for questioning in connection with the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her family's home June 5.
Bret Michael Edmunds
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"He's talking to us. He's not telling us, 'go away, I want a lawyer,"' Eaton said.
But investigators won't say what information Edmunds is giving them. They will release information after Salt Lake City detectives have a chance to interpret Edmunds' responses.
Questioning Edmunds likely will not substantially affect the Smart case because he was only a possible witness and not a suspect, Eaton said.
"We've been hitting five to six promising areas, and we've been concentrating on a lot of important stuff" not related to Edmunds, Eaton said.
Edmunds remained in serious condition in a secure section of intensive care at City Hospital under the watch of U.S. marshals. He is being treated for a drug-related liver damage.
"He's conscious, he's coherent and he's talking," hospital spokeswoman Teresa McCabe said.
Edmunds, who appeared at the hospital Friday, began talking with a Salt Lake City police officer and FBI agent Saturday morning. Doctors monitored Edmunds' condition to ensure he was up to the questioning.
McCabe said Edmunds would stay at the hospital at least three or four days. She would not divulge details of his condition, citing confidentiality rules.
Edmunds is being held on a federal warrant charging him with fleeing to avoid prosecution for a probation violation. The charges are unrelated to the Smart case.
"He is still not a suspect at this time," Police Chief Rick Dinse said. "He's a question mark, and we want to put a period on that question mark."
Edmunds, who was living out of his Saturn sedan, had been seen in the Smart neighborhood the week the girl vanished. While Elizabeth's sister described the alleged kidnapper as a 5-foot-8 man, Edmunds stands 6-foot-2.
A Saturn found in the hospital parking lot was photographed, impounded and towed away. Police saw nothing suspicious through the windows, and are seeking a search warrant.
Also Saturday, sheriff's deputies said cadaver dogs were unable to find a scent at a subdivision near Salt Lake City. A police search was prompted after dogs owned by search volunteers apparently picked up an unusual scent.
Edmunds has been sought since last fall for outstanding warrants on charges of fraud and assault on a police officer in Utah. He had served 60 days and was put on probation in 2000 for stealing and forging checks.
When he is physically able, Edmunds will be taken to a magistrate for a hearing, the marshals service said.
Leak now suggests that the police have a suspect in custody in SLC and that this man has worked in construction or renovation of this present Smart home more than once.
I wonder if poor Edmunds was not able to give them some street sense of just who, among the many workers and service and tradespeople who had been on these premises, might be or was involved in this.
I hate the NE for their story about the Smarts, but they have done good on Chandra.
I've been thinking about this today a lot. I guess I prefer to give the family the benefit of the doubt until something comes out to change my mind. I do know that all families have problems, and some will do anything to deny and hide those problems. Are the Smarts one of these families? So far, I don't think so, and that is just going on instinct, and third hand accounts..
It was Wayne Owens. His son is married to Cynthia Smart Owens, who is an aunt to Elizabeth (and sister to Ed Smart.) Jake Garn, former Utah senator was (is?) a neighbor to Elizabeth's grandparents.
I'm laughing at your comments. My toenails are painted purple right now, I was a camp director for my ward's camp for the girls aged 12 to 17. You wouldn't believe the colors of nail polish they brought up. And insisted painting my nails with each nail a different color. It's harmless fun.
My thoughts are with you
Bump and putting ourselves in their shoes and thanking God our children are home with us.
Thanx for sharing your observations!
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