Bret Michael Edmunds
- 6"2'
- 235 lbs.
- 1997 green Saturn
- Considered Dangerous
Posted on 06/22/2002 10:17:01 PM PDT by stlnative
June 22, 2002 - Late Evening Report
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) _ A hospitalized drifter sought for questioning in the disappearance of a teenager in Utah was alert and talking with investigators Saturday.
Bret Michael Edmunds, 26, was cooperating with investigators, said FBI spokesman Kevin Eaton. Salt Lake City police sought Edmunds for questioning in connection with the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her family's home June 5.
Bret Michael Edmunds
|
"He's talking to us. He's not telling us, 'go away, I want a lawyer,"' Eaton said.
But investigators won't say what information Edmunds is giving them. They will release information after Salt Lake City detectives have a chance to interpret Edmunds' responses.
Questioning Edmunds likely will not substantially affect the Smart case because he was only a possible witness and not a suspect, Eaton said.
"We've been hitting five to six promising areas, and we've been concentrating on a lot of important stuff" not related to Edmunds, Eaton said.
Edmunds remained in serious condition in a secure section of intensive care at City Hospital under the watch of U.S. marshals. He is being treated for a drug-related liver damage.
"He's conscious, he's coherent and he's talking," hospital spokeswoman Teresa McCabe said.
Edmunds, who appeared at the hospital Friday, began talking with a Salt Lake City police officer and FBI agent Saturday morning. Doctors monitored Edmunds' condition to ensure he was up to the questioning.
McCabe said Edmunds would stay at the hospital at least three or four days. She would not divulge details of his condition, citing confidentiality rules.
Edmunds is being held on a federal warrant charging him with fleeing to avoid prosecution for a probation violation. The charges are unrelated to the Smart case.
"He is still not a suspect at this time," Police Chief Rick Dinse said. "He's a question mark, and we want to put a period on that question mark."
Edmunds, who was living out of his Saturn sedan, had been seen in the Smart neighborhood the week the girl vanished. While Elizabeth's sister described the alleged kidnapper as a 5-foot-8 man, Edmunds stands 6-foot-2.
A Saturn found in the hospital parking lot was photographed, impounded and towed away. Police saw nothing suspicious through the windows, and are seeking a search warrant.
Also Saturday, sheriff's deputies said cadaver dogs were unable to find a scent at a subdivision near Salt Lake City. A police search was prompted after dogs owned by search volunteers apparently picked up an unusual scent.
Edmunds has been sought since last fall for outstanding warrants on charges of fraud and assault on a police officer in Utah. He had served 60 days and was put on probation in 2000 for stealing and forging checks.
When he is physically able, Edmunds will be taken to a magistrate for a hearing, the marshals service said.
How do we know the father (or anyone else) passed the polygraph?
Brigette, would you add them to your ping list.
Thanks.
It could be that all the 'no comments', 'I can't answer that' and the 'I don't know the answer to that', has influenced this crime in ways we won't understand until it's over.
Works both ways. Whether they give out too much info or not enough info, both can affect the investigation negatively.
And sometimes a spunky younger sister tries to protect an older, post-pubescent sister.
The NE article reported that Liz wouldn't jog in the neighborhood unless little Mary Katherine came along. In many families, the oldest child takes the brunt of the parents' craziness and/or control issues (has to be perfect, has to excel, has to be all kinds of things, some of which are unpleasant to say the least) and younger kids are not so psychologically (or sometimes physically) pushed around.
hurlburt, my good buddy, read back through this thread if you're looking for something to object to. You'll have a field day!
Could very well be! And in my opinion, too many 'red herrings' could hurt the investigation, because people waste too much time on those and not enough on verifiable facts, whatever those facts turn out to be.
Heavenly Father,
Again we come to You, praying that Your hand would move in this tormenting situation involving Your child, Elizabeth. We ask You Father, to turn to Elizabeth and to save her life; deliver her for the sake of Your steadfast love. Father, we know that You hear the sounds of our cries, and the weeping of her parents and family. We know You hear our supplications and that You accept our prayers. We pray that the person who has taken Elizabeth would be convicted in his heart and that his plans would be set to confusion. Show the investigators where he has hidden Your child. Please help Elizabeth to take refuge in You. Be her shield, Lord, and save the upright in heart. Cover her with Your feathers so that under Your wings she will safely trust. Help her to depend on You for everything she needs, for You will supply it. Gird her with Your strength so that she will remain steadfast until she can be returned to her parents' arms. Father, help us to refrain from judging and second-guessing her parents and family members when we have no understanding of the tremendous pain and pressure they experience. We commit this to You, Lord, believing in Your mighty power and knowing that You hear our prayers. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Not necessarily. Maybe the distractions are serving to keep the public and the family placated while the police do their work.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.