It was not immediately clear whether charges would be state or federal, or both.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth's family called on prosecutors to make sure they do not traumatize the girl during questioning about the nine months she spent with her captors.
The family met Monday with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office and asked that investigators involve Elizabeth only as much as they need to for a successful prosecution, Smart family spokesman Chris Thomas said.
"They have expressed their concerns for Elizabeth's well-being, and will hold the D.A.'s office accountable for any actions that might victimize her a second time," Thomas said.
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From a KSL TV spot the next day:
Mitchell and Barzee charged
Self-proclaimed prophet Brian Mitchell and his wife were charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary Tuesday in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart.
... "We do believe that these defendants, particularly Mitchell, should be prosecuted as a predatory sex offender," said District Attorney David Yocom. "If he ever hits the streets, (he should) carry that label as a sex offender for the rest of his life. We are not dealing with just a religious zealot, we are dealing with a predatory sex offender."
...Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony, with a minimum prison sentence of six years and a maximum of life. Aggravated kidnapping carries a penalty of six years to life in prison. Aggravated burglary is also a first-degree felony, with no minimum and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Yocom's office asked the media to refrain from asking questions on the sexual assault counts "for reasons that should be obvious."
... The family met Monday with the district attorney's office and asked that investigators involve Elizabeth only as much as they need to for a successful prosecution, Smart family spokesman Chris Thomas said.
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And from a Salt Lake Tribune article
Accused Abductors Charged With Felony Sexual Assault
...Smart family spokesman Chris Thomas said Elizabeth's family had met with Yocom and "fully supports" the charges filed, including those dealing with alleged sexual assault. The District Attorney's office assured the family that "every step will be taken to assure Elizabeth's privacy and well-being," Thomas said.
"We always try our best to accommodate victims of crime," Yocom said. But he added Elizabeth, now 15, will likely have to testify if the case goes to trial, even if Barzee agrees to testify against her husband.
Yocom also said that the lone eyewitness to the abduction, then 9-year-old Mary Katherine, would not be needed to testify in any trial "because the identity [of the kidnapper] is not in question."
...Salt Lake City attorney Greg Skordas said the Smart family hired him last Wednesday to represent Elizabeth's interests during the prosecution. He said his duties were to "make sure she's treated fairly. Not that we think the District Attorney's Office wouldn't. But the prosecutors and the defense have a job to do, neither of which necessarily is to look out for her." Skordas said he would be attending court hearings, and would be in the courtroom if Elizabeth is ever required to testify.
He has also been a liaison between prosecutors and the Smart family. "They [prosecutors] consulted with us and talked with us about the case," he said. Thomas called Skordas an "advocate [who] will keep the family apprised of the situation as it progresses through the court."