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
|
"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.
Right now the parents would probably be delighted if all that happen was she ran off with a scumbag boyfriend. All other options seem worse.
The dad said he ran over to his neighbor's house to warn them to check on their own kids. He also said that that neighbor had a kidnapping attempt (?) back in the early 90's.
I believe this is significant, because he didn't mention it in earlier interviews, and now he throws it in. Maybe that's where he got the idea for this charade.
Liars just keep making their stories more complex, and the details just keep coming. People who are telling the truth have only the truth to tell. Liars have more options.
Btw, I trust the Nat'l Enquirer much more than the mainstream media. They have proven their value for getting to the facts first, and they have the g'nads to print the unflattering and unpopular.
In other words, do the police view themselves as crime historians or prtectors of the innocent?
As an example, in Los Angeles following the riots, we changed the motto for the LAPD from "To Protect and Serve" to "A tradition of Service."
This speaks volumes!
I haven't seen that anywhere...do you have the link or other source?
http://www.abc4.tv/jacor-common/local_news_common.html?ID=20020622012033&f eed=local
I concur.
I'm sorry that I'm "disrupting" your reality that the "perfect" family has nothing to do with her dissapearance. IMHO their statements and demeaner to date completely lack credibility.
That's the best laugh I've had in a month!
They might take kids for money and/or things.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.