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Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 18
06/23/02 | Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 18

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.


Wanted for Questioning

Bret Michael Edmunds

  • 6"2'
  • 235 lbs.
  • 1997 green Saturn
  • Considered Dangerous

"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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Utah; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: bretedmunds; elizabethsmart; kidnapping; utah; westvirginia
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To: Partisan Hack
If anyone believes the crazy story that has gone on in this case, they are completely nuts as well! This is a ploy of some sort to get media attention. Ie..write a story, sell a movie.

I bet they won't let anyone interview Elizabeth, because it will supposedly be too "traumatic" for her. This entire case is BULL.

Her family is so strange. I saw the interviews with her family from day one. I can't wait til they blow the top off this. I hope the Smarts spend the rest of their lives in prison or a mental institution.
301 posted on 03/13/2003 1:22:10 PM PST by StarLisa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


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