Elizabeth Smart, age 21, testified against Brian David Mitchell in a federal court hearing on October 1, 2009. During the testimony, Smart revealed that she was raped on a daily basis. She said he was "not spiritual, not religious and not close to God."http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Elizabeth-Smart-says-she-was-raped-daily/ggQ7X1y_aUKVLJMkm9Wjaw.cspx Mitchell kidnapped Smith when she was 14 years old and held her captive for nine months.
Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped in June of 2002. The then-14-year-old girl was taken from her bedroom. Almost a year later, Smart was found with her kidnappers Brian Davi Mitchell and his wife Wanda Ileen Barzee.
Mitchell is awaiting trial and Barzee is serving time in prison after striking a plea deal with the prosecutors.http://www.latimes.com/kstu-mitchell-competent-trial-kidnapping-smart,0,4566213.story
Competency Hearing
Smart's testimony helped to determine if Mitchell, who has been in jail since 2003, was mentally competent to stand trial. His hearing was scheduled for November 2009, but Smart was allowed to testify in advance because she has plans to visit Paris with a church group at the time of his hearing.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxQNNYF3PHpZFtuPinrxw9nLba9gD9B2KMQ80
In March 2010, the judge ruled that Mitchell was competent enough to stand trial for the kidnapping and abduction of Smart.http://www.latimes.com/kstu-mitchell-competent-trial-kidnapping-smart,0,4566213.story
Elizabeth Smart Testimony Transcript (PDF)
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Date of Elizabeth Smart's testimony: October 1, 2009
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Fact:
Smart was kidnapped at knife point from her bedroom in 2002 (at the age of 14)
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Fact:
Smart was held captive for 9 months
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Fact:
Smart described Mitchell as "Evil, wicked, manipulative, sneaky, slimy, selfish and greedy"
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Fact:
Sart testified that "there was not a 24 hour period when he did not rape me"
