The American student Elizabeth Smart has, for the first time, described her nine-month kidnap ordeal after being snatched by a stranger from her bedroom in Salt Lake City seven years ago.

Asked by a prosecutor to describe Brian David Mitchell, the self-described prophet accused of holding her captive for nine months, Ms Smart replied: “Evil, wicked, manipulative, stinky, slimy, greedy, selfish, not spiritual, not religious, not close to God.”

A federal judge has ruled that Elizabeth Smart can testify in the upcoming mental competency hearing for her accused kidnapper.

In a ruling issued Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball denied a defense motion to bar Smart from testifying in the case of Brian David Mitchell.

In letters written to her mother, the woman charged in the 2002 kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart has sought forgiveness for any pain she has caused and says she expects to spend the rest of her life in prison.

Meanwhile her estranged husband will soon face another competency hearing.

Wand Barzee, 62, and her estranged husband, Brian David Mitchell, face criminal charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault for allegedly abducting Elizabeth Smart, then 14, from her home in Salt Lake City. [video]

Wanda Barzee, 62, has fought the forced administration of anti-psychotic drugs, saying through her attorneys the medication is against her religion.

The man accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom in 2002 and holding her for nine months was again declared unfit to stand trial Monday after screaming at a judge to forsake those robes and kneel in the dust.

A new book about Elizabeth Smart's abduction, written by one of her uncles, isn't being well-received by Elizabeth or her parents.

New book mentions incidents that allegedly impeded investigation into her disappearance

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The drifter and self-proclaimed prophet accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart showed up to his competency hearing 90 minutes late Thursday and was kicked out after he started singing a Bible verse.

SALT LAKE CITY - The father of Elizabeth Smart says the family wants a quick resolution to the kidnapping and sexual assault charges against the girl's alleged abductor, Brian David Mitchell - even if that means a plea deal.

he widow of a one-time "top potential suspect" in the kidnapping of teen-ager Elizabeth Smart has agreed to a $150,000 settlement of her lawsuit against Utah prison officials.

The father of kidnapped Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart endorsed Rep. Martin Frost on Friday, saying he supports the Democrat’s efforts involving child welfare.

SALT LAKE CITY - A suspect in the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case could be held indefinitely at a state hospital if a judge rules she is incompetent to stand trial, which her attorney says he expects.

"[The Smarts] have asked me to ask you, the media, to now have respect for the privacy of Elizabeth and the family." -- Salt Lake District Attorney David Yocom, March 12, 2003.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Elizabeth Smart, whose abduction from her bedroom and reunion with her family nine months later made her name and face familiar to millions, said in her first public interview that she hasn't changed that much from the girl she was before.

« Newer — Older »