[DreamWeaver]

thought it was extremely odd how she claimed her husband thought highly of the Smart family. She said that twice.

Right there, is an outright lie. He thought so much of them that he stole items from their home ? Either she is lying or he is lying about thinking so highly of the Smart family. In fact, I wonder, didn't she ever question where he got the items that he stole ?

[The G Man]

He thought so much of them that he stole items from their home

I THINK I recall hearing thar Ricci was part of a crew working at the Smart house and when things turned up missing the whole crew was fired. Later, Mr Smart became convinced Ricci had nothing to do with it and rehired him back in that deal involving the jeep.

[luvbach1]

An amoral (and immoral) character like Ricci could well have felt admiration for the Smart family even as he burglarized them. I believe this would cause such a person little conflict.