Elizabeth Smart May Have Been Photographed WithStreet Preacher At Party in September

http://kutv.com/specialsection/local_story_071193346.html ^ | 03/13/03 | Sonserae

[sonserae]

Elizabeth Smart may have been photographed at a party with transient street preacher Brian David Mitchell in Salt Lake City last September.

A photo taken at the party by Dan Gorder and e-mailed to 2News shows Mitchell with two women wearing veils. One of the females may be Elizabeth.

The photos were snapped three months after Smart was abducted from her home in June. She has been the focus of a massive search since that time.

Smart was found with Mitchell Wednesday in Sandy. Police started looking for Mitchell after Elizabeth's sister said he might be the man who took the girl from her bedroom last June.

Mitchell worked at the Smart's home briefly before Elizabeth's abduction.

Smart may have been traveling with Mitchell and his wife. There are reports that she spent time in the mountains above Salt Lake City and traveled as far as San Diego and Florida during the past nine months.

Police and family members believe that Mitchell abducted Elizabeth and held her against her will. They said Elizabeth did not have the opportunity to escape.

Smart family members said someone was always with Elizabeth and she didn't have a chance to get away or communicate with her family.

It is unclear if Elizabeth was abused or threatened. Some speculate that she may have been the victim of some type of brainwashing.

It is unclear how long Elizabeth was in the Salt Lake area after she disappeared from her home.

The party where the photos were taken was on 10th East and 2nd South in Salt Lake City. Mitchell and the women just walked into the party, according to Gorder.

"I just started snapping photos of them, they looked a little weird," Gorder said. " The women didn't say a word, the man talked about Jesus and stuff like that. He really didn't make a lot of sense."

The women never really looked around at people very much. "It seemed like they were sort of obedient to him."

Gorder said that the man believed to be Mitchell was drinking at the party.

[Utah Girl]

Where do you get your information?

[Zavien Doombringer]

We do not know if she was thrown into this situation, but the evidence that I am starting to put together is saying other wise. Yes this is a great homecoming! It was a tragic event for the family. We will never know why. We can be told anything and the people will buy it. All I am saying is that there is more that meets the eye and tickling the ear. Daddy looks to be the controling type, look at what he is doing with the media. Just wait until Elizabeth writes her book on the ordeal and see what she has to say.

[LisaAnne]

There is probably a lot that we don't know and have not right to know. One thing is quite evident, you have NO idea what you are talking about.

[Zavien Doombringer]

When you put 2 and 2 together the information output is 4.

As liberaly bias as our media is, they sure have put out alot of information you can decipher out on the T.V.

Watch the dad tell his story, listen to the police evidence, read what was found already. Know a bit about psychology...you might turn out to be a good detective too :)

[myrabach]

Although I think that in Sandy, Utah people dressed that way get lots of attention... just too bad others did not act soon... like when she was at that party with these people.

[myrabach]

Yes there was something earlier about the Dad and the uncles too I believe.

And why would you think that someone with all his money would use drifters to work on his house? Does that make sense? Especially if you have young children around.

[Hildy]

The Screen was cut from the OUTSIDE. Like Westerfield, you idiots will never stop spreading the lies that you think back up your insanity. You don't know this family. Mitchell was a crazy lunatic. What a country we live in that we first believe the worst in our children before believing the worst in us. You disgust me.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Why would you say that? Have you ever worked with troubled teens? Have you ever heard why runaways run? I have! I have Children, 16, 14, 11 and 9... I am a father, I have faced my own kids problems...I believe I am qualified.

[Elsie]

UG, you just asked MY question! Just WHERE do we find out this 'information' on this, now THANKFULLY reunited, family?

Even though I tangle with LDS folks on theological issues all the time, I wish that more of America had their strong family ties and unity.

When MY daughter was in her teens, I nailed her window shut myself, but that did not keep her from slipping out the door as I slept! (She was older - more like 17)

[Hildy]

WHat is so unusual about religious people performing charity by giving work to people? It happens EVERY DAY. If you lived in a sheltered community, part of a church family that was never touched by crime, maybe you would try to help out people less fortunate than yourself and think it is a lesson for your children, not a danger. Yes, it is naive, but you don't know anything about the life experiences of the Smarts. And unfortunately, they learned the hard way.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Who is the more lunatic? The Lunatic or the one who hires him?

Give him a buck, but bring him home...give me a break...

The worst in our children? Oh, no...you have it all wrong. It isn't Elizabeth's fault, not one iota! But you would expect that if it were an abduction, there would have been some sort of attempts to call home...People have to sleep...we are capable of running...try catching my 14 year old... Mitchell deserves the full extent of the law...however, I want to hear Elizabeth's story!

[Sloth]

It really is amazing that so-called conservatives and amateur psychologists are just falling all over themselves to implicate the victim. Disgusting.

I give the girl -- and her sister -- the benefit of the doubt until I see one miniscule shred of evidence that she went willingly.

BTW, I agree with many that her dad seems creepy, but so what? Are weirdos immune to having their families victimized by outsiders?

[wardaddy]

Bump!

[MeekOneGOP]

TOM SMART / Deseret News
Elizabeth Smart is shown with her parents, Ed and Lois, at their home today.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Why is everyone so quick to say Elizabeth is a victim? She certainly doesn't look traumatized. It's the rest of the family that seems in shock! It would be one thing to see Elizabeth in poor health, or beaten or what ever... She was willingly walking with Mitchell and wife!!! NO Chains! NO gun! Could she have run? Talk about victomizing the "victim". She could have wanted to convert to this new found religion and get away from the LDS...For crying out loud there are many reasons for a teen girl to run from home!!! Mitchell had a hand in it, granted, but Elizabeth hasn't told us she was taken against her will, her parents did. All I am saying is the media and other Freepers are thinking on one track, and not on the other side. Once the reall story gets out...that is the end

[Atlas Sneezed]

I had been thinking that this was about an irresponsible runaway, but seeing those photos creeps me out with sympathy for the girl, and makes me assume that she did not stay with him out of true free will.

[Hildy]

My God, I hope you don't have children.

[Zavien Doombringer]

read my posts...4...
16, 14, 11 and 9

[Utah Girl]

I did see an interview with two women who were at that party where Mitchell, Wanda, and Elizabeth showed up. One of the women was very concerned, she said Mitchell had a predatory look about him. She questioned the women, asking them if they were OK. Both Wanda and Elizabeth looked away, Mitchell came right back over and took over the conversation.

[Zavien Doombringer]

don't get me wrong either, I would shoot the bastard who had my kid. Faced with the situation we all would act differently. I am not saying Elizabeth is a fault. What wrong did she do? If she ran away, it's poor judgement. There isn't any crime commited. Just the load of worry on her family. YOu have no idea how many of those troubled teens are living here in VA. Beach. All of them for different reasons, and because they ran, they are afraid to call home for help. Trust me! Elizabeth could have been in the same situation. Instead of facing the assumed wrath at home, they stay in the predicament currently in. Mitchell, used poor judgement in keeping her if this is the case.