In the Elizabeth Smart case, Brian David Mitchell’s competency trail began Monday in Salt Lake City. Several witnesses took the stand and described Mitchell as self absorbed, intelligent, controlling and concerned about his public image. Many witnesses expressed concern that Mitchell is trying to avoid being charged in the Elizabeth Smart case by acting like he is unstable and unable to stand trial.
Four prosecution witnesses testified Monday, the trail is expected to last up to ten days. U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball will determine if Mitchell will stand trial.
Mitchell’s stepdaughter, LouRee Gaylor, 34 testified that Brian David Mitchell wanted to be recognized as a Mormon prophet and that he was obsessed with his personal habits, that he ate on a rigid schedule and exercised excessively. She testified that Mitchell had a nice demeanour when he met outsiders, but that he did that to manipulate people.
Gaylor’s mother, Wanda Eileen Barzee, already plead guilty to kidnapping and other charges in the case, and made a plea deal stating that she would testify against her estranged husband. For more on that story click here.
Brian David Mitchell, 56, was charged with kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines in 2008. He was arrested in 2003 in connection with the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, and faces a lifetime prison sentence if convicted.
Gaylor testified that she lived with the Mitchell’s for about two years in the late 1980s and moved out after she learned that they cooked and served her a pet rabbit for dinner once.
Gaylor testified that Mitchell was dominating, used abusive language, showed inappropriate sexual behavior, and showed pornographic pictures to her once during a family prayer session. Prosecutors stated that Mitchell is competent and that he is faking psychiatric symptoms to avoid being prosecuted.
Defense attorneys stated that Mitchell is unable to participate in his defense, and that in a state court he was Mitchell diagnosed with a rare delusional disorder. Mitchell has twice been deemed incompetent for trial.
Mitchell repeated his disruptive behavior and sang Christmas carols before being removed from the court room to a holding cell where he could watch the hearing with disrupting the courtroom.
Two psychiatric technicians from the Utah State Hospital also testified about time spent with Mitchell when he was held there. Tye Jensen and David Talley testified that Mitchell was smart and was able to form relationships with patients inside the hospital.
Elizabeth Smart testified on October 1, 2009 that Mitchell kidnapped her from her own bed at knifepoint on June 5, 2002, and held her captive for nine months. She was found on the streets of Salt Lake City nine months later. She testified that she was raped 3-4 times per day during that time. To read more about Elizabeth Smart’s testimony, click here.
This testimony is alarming similar to the Jaycee Dugard case. Both girls were kidnapped young, held in terrible conditions, and raped repeatedly by their kidnapper. And in both cases, the wife of the kidnapper was present for the entire ordeal.
Sources: Associated Press
Related articles:
Elizabeth Smart gives shocking testimony in Brian David Mitchell’s hearing – Part I
Elizabeth Smart gives shocking testimony in Brian David Mitchell’s hearing – Part II
Elizabeth Smart testified that she was raped 3 or 4 times daily by kidnapper
Elizabeth Smart story is similar to Jaycee Dugard kidnapping case
Wanda Eileen Barzee pleads guilty in Elizabeth Smart case
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