Posted on 12/04/2009 1:39:29 PM PST by markomalley
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A forensic psychiatrist testified on Friday that Brian David Mitchell used religion to justify his lust in the kidnapping and rape of Elizabeth Smart.
Dr. Michael Welner testified during the competency hearing that Mitchell showed a stable and steady manner before and after his arrest, unlike patients who would otherwise be considered mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Welner said he interviewed several people during his research into Mitchell's mental status, including police officers, hospital employees, and Elizabeth Smart herself.
According to Welner, Elizabeth told him that Mitchell used "blessings" to placate her before and after raping her repeated times. He would also use these "blessings" to placate Wanda Barzee, and that he used a calendar to schedule sexual encounters. Welner said that Elizabeth Smart told him that Mitchell would often violate his own sexual calendar and force himself upon the teen aged girl on days scheduled for Barzee. When she would correct him, referring to his calendar, Welner said Mitchell would tell Smart the no one "needed to know."
According to Welner, Smart said Mitchell's blessings were often full of praise for the girl, referring to God and her future role as a wife and mother.
Welner testified that for Mitchell, lust always "trumped religion."
Later in the day, Welner spoke about his 5-hour interview with Mitchell at the Utah State Hospital. Welner said from the moment he walked into the interview room, Mitchell closed his eyes, remained silent and refused to look at the doctor.
Welner said the only time Mitchell showed any signs of paying attention was the moment he was shown a video tape of Elizabeth Smart as she was interviewed by investigators shortly after Mitchell's arrest.
"He was attentive and composed," said Welner. "It was reminiscent of the way he watched 'Charmed'."
Welner said Mitchell has been observed by hospital personnel watching the television show 'Charmed' on several occasions and that it is his favorite show.
Welner said seeing Mitchell pay such close attention to video of Elizabeth Smart gave him a "chill."
Welner said that based on Mitchell's silence and demeanor during the interview, he is convinced that Mitchell is more than capable of sitting quietly for long periods of time, such as during a court proceeding.
Welner is a well-known psychiatrist, having researched and testified regarding several other high-profile cases. He also pioneered research into what he calls "The Depravity Scale."
Welner's services come at a steep price for federal prosecutors, having already billed the government for more than 1,000 hours, costing more than $500,000.
Brian David Mitchell is accused of kidnapping Smart from her home in Salt Lake City's Federal Heights area at knife point in June of 2002.
Smart testified at a preliminary competency hearing that Mitchell raped her almost daily during her 10-month ordeal. She was returned to her family after Mitchell was arrested in March of 2003.
He’s a disgusting POS and needs to receive the maximum penalty that th law allows. My God Bless and keep Elizabeth.
They’re never too mentally ill to eat, drink, & cash their checks. Dumb like a fox. Fry him.
What is the government looking for?
Well..., I would say that the government is looking to keep him in a prison, rather than an asylum...
That would be their motivation.
And, as far as your statement is concerned, unless you've got some impressive credentials for the court, the other side would tear apart anything you said as irrelevant opinion.
Oh, is he a muslim?
It's just too bad that the law, doesn't allow castration and removal of the offending organ. Followed by a few decades in general population.
Big Bubba might find a dickless enuch "interesting".
So, just to clarify your point - it looks like you consider rape perfectly acceptable provided it’s done to people you don’t like.
I do not agree.
Actually, I was thinking more in terms of putting him before a Utah firing squad.
Didn't say it was acceptable, just that it was likely to happen, and hinted that in this case, it would be deserved.
Didn't say it was acceptable, just that it was likely to happen, and hinted that in this case, it would be deserved.
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