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.

[CindyDawg]

I respect your opinion and am not accusing you but it just seems to me that a lot of these kinds of threads are loaded with a wishful anticipation that this could happen to a "perfect" family or church organization. I can deal with the truth if what you are rumoring is true, but with great saddness.

[John Jamieson]

Could also be a combination. Mr Romeo could have very quickly, before sunrise, have turned into Mr Hyde. Young girls often make very bad choices in first lovers. Liz was extremely protected (Mormons are not allowed to date until 16) and would have no concept of real world Romeos.

[stlnative]

I know your question was not directed to me... But yes... I feel they are acting like they should be. I think they are innocent nothing have convinced me that they are not at this time. I am off to bed... Good Night All !

[Partisan Hack]

Gee.... maybe they should check Grandpas casket for Elizabeth, he probably wasn't even lowered into the ground yet when she was taken from her bed in the middle of the night on June 5th. (***sarcasm***)

I think you are respondidng to a post I didn't make.

Regards

[stlnative]

have=has

[Utah Girl]

To be honest, I do think they are innocent. And I don't know how I would act if a child of mine was abducted. 40 harpists gave a benefit concert for Elizabeth this evening at Exchange Place (Plaza?). Ed Smart read a poem for Elizabeth, Lois didn't say a word, but she was very distressed, her lips were trembling, and she could barely stay composed. I also saw them the morning after the abduction, and will never forget their reaction then. Lois fell apart, and Ed could barely speak. To me, as time goes on, Elizabeth's parents are trying to present a strong front to her, in case she is still alive. This is just the feeling I have.

[John Jamieson]

They seem confused. And I would, too. Mormons know that Mormons are normal people, but they expect their faith and life style will help protect them from the evils of the world. Sometimes, rarely, that evil comes from within their own trusted group, which makes it very hard to accept.

[Partisan Hack]

I am sad as well. But how many times has the perfect family not been?

Just ask Kitty and Ed Menendez. If they're not available, ask their sons Eric and Lyle.

[Plummz]

If the family was in financial trouble -- bad real estate deals, blackmail by sex ring participants, etc. -- the death of the father-in-law and resultant estate issues might be a time when such troubles surface, come to a crux and the need for ransom money may become apparent.

[stlnative]

yes... it was directed to you

We have to consider the darkest sicknesses to get at the truth. You sound as if you think the family did something to her and are trying to hide something. I do not see it that way, nothing points in that direction to me. Goodnight!

[John Jamieson]

Family in this case is probably close to 40 adults (from the grandparents down. Could the ransomer be from extended family, I say yes, that's possible, but I don't see what the immediate family has to gain. Maybe we should be looking for the family black sheep.

[Utah Girl]

Well said. Thanks.

[Partisan Hack]

Bless your heart. In some strange way, I also still believe she may be alive. I'm expecting the worst regarding the family's involvement though.

Not to attack you UG, but I think the "to be honest" in your preface to your feelings that the family is innocent, indicates that you may be trying to protect your sensibilities and what you WISH to be true.

I hope you are right and I am wrong. It would be a refreshing change.

[John Jamieson]

PS, probably on the mother's side, because her father just died. Who go left out of the will?

[John Jamieson]

Refreashing change?

Are you usually right? I'm not.

[Vinomori]

I hope you are right and I am wrong. It would be a refreshing change.

One gets the impression that being right is what refreshes you the most.

[Plummz]

I know the mother's family goes back to Bringham Young's bodyguard. . . The Smarts may have been the black sheep of the Francom family.

[Partisan Hack]

You sound as if you think the family did something to her and are trying to hide something. I do not see it that way, nothing points in that direction to me. Goodnight!

I can't be responsible for how you think I sound. I apologize for upsetting your sensibilities though.

Sleep tight and have sweet dreams.

[Partisan Hack]

Refreashing change?

Are you usually right? I'm not.

It would be a refreshing change from expecting the worst and having it not be so.

[Partisan Hack]

One gets the impression that being right is what refreshes you the most

Yes. Bad syntax, See response just above.