Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 18

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

[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.

[stlnative]

A New Day - A New Thread... Please keep adding 6/23/02 dated updates to this thread... Remember to keep checking back to this thread today for today's developing news on the Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping.

[John Jamieson]

I don't need the gory details, but what is the jest of the NE article. I can't find it anywhere.

[stlnative]

Ping for 6/23/02 - Day 18 - Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping Daily/Chat Thread - New updates on the case will be added to this thread as they come in today. This will be your only PING from me today.

[homeschool mama]

bump

[stlnative]

I don't know yet... but you might search for the Day 17 thread, there may be some posts on the EQ story.

[Partisan Hack]

I just gor back from Salt Lake. There is a WILD rumor floating around town that the father staged the kidnapping so that he could receive the ransom. Aparently, Elizabeth's father is not exactly well regarded in the community.

[Utah Girl]

I just got back from SLC earlier this evening, and heard the opposite, that the Smarts are very well regarded in their neighborhood and community.

[Partisan Hack]

Sorry for the spelling. Hit post rather than preview.

[John Jamieson]

Who would the father recieve a ransom from, I assumed he would be the one to pay it.

[jnarcus]

The NE story stated that there was a diary detailing homosexual activity by the Dad and the two uncles. Also said that things aren't exactly as they seem Spent a good deal of time emphasizing the strange behaviour by the family when the girl was first discovered missing---instead of calling police they called friends and neighbors

[Partisan Hack]

Have you heard how he makes or made his money? UG, I think I'm getting very cynical and leary in my old age. I also heard he failed his polygraph test. I think much of the spin on this is being done to protect the church.

[Partisan Hack]

Who would the father recieve a ransom from, I assumed he would be the one to pay it.

Donations are pouring in.

[dc-zoo]

What fricken ransom money. There never has been a ransom demand. The smarts are pretty well off aparently anyway. There's no way the father staged this. Another family member could be involved but not the mother or father imo.

[stlnative]

Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping - Daily News/Chat Thread - Day 17

[John Jamieson]

I thought he was a builder or realestate developer.

[Partisan Hack]

1st call after Elizabeth was "discovered" missing: The Uncle, Tom Smart.

2nd call: The Smart's Bishop.

3rd call: The police.

This thing stinks to high heaven.

[Partisan Hack]

How do you know there hasn't been a ransom demand?

[Partisan Hack]

I thought he was a builder or realestate developer

Crook

[John Jamieson]

They might not tell us about ransom demands. I think it's the most likely senareo, but I don't think it's family.

The mother's father just died (2 days before?), I wonder if he was wealthy. We should be able to find an obit.

[John Jamieson]

OK, I'll play along....what's your source on that claim.