Elizabeth Smart's abductor found guilty of kidnapping, rape

[n2doc]

By Nicholas Riccardi
Los Angeles Times
December 10, 2010, 11:12 a.m.



SALT LAKE CITY — A federal jury in Utah on Friday morning convicted a self-proclaimed prophet and street preacher of kidnapping and repeatedly raping then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, rejecting arguments by the defense that Brian David Mitchell was insane at the time of the crimes.

Mitchell, 57, could face up to life in prison. He and his then-lover, Wanda Barzee, took Smart from her bedroom in her Salt Lake City home one night in 2002 and brought her to a remote mountain camp, where she was shackled and repeatedly raped by Mitchell.

The abduction made national news and Smart -- petite, blond and a member of the Mormon Church -- became a symbol of stolen innocence. Smart was rescued nine months later when she was spotted with Mitchell and Barzee on a street in Salt Lake City.

Now 23, Smart testified for three days about her life in captivity. Barzee, who pleaded guilty last year and is serving a 15-year prison sentence, also testified for the prosecution.

more

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-smart-20101210,0,2334076.story

[superduperfarleft]

1. Sorry, I accidentally unrec'ed, so here's a kick to make up for it.

I hope they put this scumbag UNDER the prison.

[oneshooter]

2. I would put him above the prison. About 6ft above it. n/t

[tblue37]

4. Don't worry. I added a rec to cancel that one out for you. nt

[tblue37]

3. I hope he does get life w/o parole. He needs to never

be in society again. Ever.