Elizabeth Smart testimony today

[LiveCoug]

I also heard a mention of Neon Trees last night on satellite radio.

Provo Utah's own????

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Yes. I saw her in a store once and I wanted to walk up and give her a hug, but of course that would have been the worst thing to do.

The thought of this made me laugh. Especially picturing you dressed as The Dude in a bathrobe with unkempt hair.

[scottie]

I see these pics of this girl who is now a lovely young woman, incredibly intelligent, accomplished, cultured, socially aware (I believe she has given herself somewhat to political activism), yet I still cant seem to shake the image of the little girl from the Missing Person poster. Her facial features still appear to be very similar and when I see her pics this week in the Trib, it is as though no time has passed at all. I wonder if Elizabeth would prefer everyone to move on so that she can also finally move on.

The image that's always been the most painful for me is this one (from a party in SLC, before he took her to San Diego):



Just being able to somewhat see into her eyes there breaks my heart more than anything.

[byu71]

Talk about a kind act going unrewarded. Her mother invites this person to her house to do some odd jobs to help a down and out person. Her daughter being kidnapped is the ultimate result.

It is a sad product of our times, but reality. Any good I do, I do through some organization. I don't befriend anyone I don't know.

[Babs]

The details in the transcript are sickening to read. The stuff he made her do, the way he tied her to a tree for a month and a half. He forced her to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes unbelievable. Then he would plan days for her to perform sex acts on him.

planned days? Seems like last time around they were saying that it was like twice a day for the entire captivity. Something like that. The original headlines were so horrific that I can't imagine anyone wanting to revisit the story.

[SeattleUte]

planned days? Seems like last time around they were saying that it was like twice a day for the entire captivity. Something like that. The original headlines were so horrific that I can't imagine anyone wanting to revisit the story.

One of the awful things about this story is how certain members of the press have tried to trade on this tragedy, even reporters in Salt Lake who knew the Smarts. I regard these people kindred to the kidnappers. Also, of course, the press is highly unreliable in its real time reportage under the best of circumstances.

On a brighter note, one of the amazing parts of this story is how Elizaeth's nine year old sister Mary Katherine was probably a but for cause of Elizabeth's salvation. She showed amazing presence of mind throughout this tragedy. She was more important, and showed more poise and judgment than perhaps just about all the adults.

[SeattleUte]

Unfortunately, "meekness" in English has, over time, become associated with being weak or overly submissive. But the word has Scandinavian and Germanic origins that suggest a more powerful and positive connotation. In German, the word for meekness is sanftmut which translates into English as "quiet [or gentle] courage". Elizabeth seems to personify the real definition of meekness.

Counselor, language requires context for any meaning at all. We are not in old world Germany or Scandinavia. Also, I don't think this is what our young friend Camelish meant. I think Babs came closest to the truth. In interviews and this testimony Elizabeth has evinced an inner iron will and strength that modern understanding of "meekness" does not precisely describe.

[cougjunkie]

planned days? Seems like last time around they were saying that it was like twice a day for the entire captivity. Something like that. The original headlines were so horrific that I can't imagine anyone wanting to revisit the story.

In her testimony yesterday she said it was several times a day throughout her captivity that is correct she also said that she was forced to watch him and his wife do things.

One day he walked in and said to his wife "It is time". His wife said "already?" Elizabeth asked him time for what and he said to expand their relationship to oral sex. That is when she said she decided not to eat the next day to make sure she was not sober. The next day they made her watch and then participate but she actually bit him she said. She also bit a chunk out of his tongue once when he tried to kiss her.

Tough resilient little girl.

[old_gregg]

Counselor, language requires context for any meaning at all. We are not in old world Germany or Scandinavia. Also, I don't think this is what our young friend Camelish meant. I think Babs came closest to the truth. In interviews and this testimony Elizabeth has evinced an inner iron will and strength that modern understanding of "meekness" does not precisely describe.

http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meekness

First definition

[SeattleUte]

http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meekness

First definition

touche; I wouldn't have expected a skinhead to appreciate the first definition.

[Guest]

One of the awful things about this story is how certain members of the press have tried to trade on this tragedy, even reporters in Salt Lake who knew the Smarts.

Are you able to give more details on that subject? I don't read a ton of SL media, so I'm unfamiliar to what you're referencing (if it's common knowledge).

[NorthwestUteFan]

Mitchell was my buddy's Priest Quorum adviser (or in his bishopric, can't recall which - and I think it was the Liberty 2nd ward?). Hearing all this is very disgusting.

My friend said Mitchell was somewhat of an oddball, but didn't think he would ever be dangerous.

As an aside, I don't even have any daughters sons only) but I refuse to let even door-to-door salesmen into my house. Her parents don't have any legal culpability in the whole thing, but I think it an entirely stupid idea to bring a complete stranger (who may be desperate) into my house for work.

note- I have no problems bringing in a person who I seek out, but I still check references. I would NEVER bring into my home somebody working the corner of the offramp holding a sign.

Two things:
1) the need to protect beautiful daughters from weirdos is foremost.
2) As I understand it, the work they were having him do typically requires a building permit and a bonded/licensed contractor. If for some reason the work he did failed and caused any structural damage, their homeowner's insurance policy almost certainly would NOT have covered it.

[NorthwestUteFan]

One of the awful things about this story is how certain members of the press have tried to trade on this tragedy, even reporters in Salt Lake who knew the Smarts. I regard these people kindred to the kidnappers. Also, of course, the press is highly unreliable in its real time reportage under the best of circumstances.

I recall the same week/month as this abduction, another girl of similar age but of Hispanic heritage was abducted in SLC. She was found a while later, having been murdered and burned. At the time the newspapers/news were 'All Elizabeth, All The Time'. Barely a mention of this other girl was ever made.

Was she less 'deserving' of news coverage? Was her family simply less-capable of organizing the press conferences and search parties to search for their daughter? Was she any less important, to justify her lesser coverage? Was her initial kidnapping any less newsworthy? Of course the outcome for this other girl was unimaginably worse.

Color me appalled.

[frank ryan]

Are you able to give more details on that subject? I don't read a ton of SL media, so I'm unfamiliar to what you're referencing (if it's common knowledge).

A couple of trib reporters sold info to the tabloids

[scottie]

I feel pity for this detective, I can't imagine it's been easy for him: (from today's testimony)

Viti: When you got to the [Salt Lake City] library, can you tell us what happened?

Smart: We went to the bathroom and we came back and sat down at a table. And I think he had taken a little bit longer in the bathroom and I remember a man approaching us. But at the same time he was approaching us the defendant was walking back. The man introduced himself as a homicide detective.

Viti: What happened after he introduced himself?

Smart: He wanted me to remove the veil so he could see my face.

Viti: What was Wanda Barzee doing at the time?

Smart: Her hand was clenching my leg.

Viti: Did you interpret this to mean anything?

Smart: Yes, I interpreted it to mean, “Don’t say anything; don’t move; don’t do anything.”

Viti: When the detective asked that he wanted to look under the veil, did he give you a reason why?

Smart: Um, yes.

Viti: What reason was that?

Smart: Uh, he was looking for, or a couple of telephone calls had come in and he was looking for Elizabeth Smart.

Viti: At the time that the detective said that, where was the defendant?

Smart: He was standing up in front of us facing the detective. He was in between us and the detective.

Viti: What did the defendant say, if anything, when he wanted to look under your veil?

Smart: He said that was not allowed in our religion and only my husband would see my face.

Viti: What were you wearing?

Smart: We had the robes on, the headpiece and the veil.

Viti: Was it still the veil that covered half your face?

Smart: Yes.

Viti: What did the defendant do when he told the detective it was part of your religion not to look at your face?

Smart: He asked if he could be part of their religion for the day so he could be look at my face.

Viti: How did he respond?

Smart: The defendant was still very calm and very coolly said, “No, only her husband will be able to do that.”

Viti: Do you recall if he said what the consequences would be?

Smart: I don’t remember.

Viti: How long did the defendant and detective talk to one another?

Smart: It wasn’t very long, 5-10 minutes at most.

Viti: Did the defendant, as the time progressed, become more insistent about looking under your veil?

Smart: No.

Viti: Did the defendant identify who he was, who the defendant was?

Smart: Um, I don’t remember.

Viti: Did there come a time when the detective left?

Smart: Yes.

Viti: And could you tell the jury how you felt when the detective left?

Smart: I felt like hope was walking out the door. I was mad at myself that I didn’t say anything. Um, I was mad at myself for just not taking the chance, that I just felt like it was so close and I was just so ... I felt terrible. I felt terrible that the detective hadn’t pushed harder, that he had just walked away. I felt upset with myself that I hadn’t done anything, that I hadn’t taken a chance, that maybe something would have happened to me or happened to my family, but that something might have happened. I was just very upset.

Viti: During the time the detective was speaking with the defendant, were you hoping detective would lift the veil?

Smart: Yes.