Photos Released in Smart Case

Deseret News ^ | Feb. 16, 2003 | By Joe Bauman

[Palladin]

Photos released in Smart case

TV show seeks help in finding homeless man-- By Joe Bauman-- Deseret News staff writer

"America's Most Wanted," the Fox network anti-crime program, has released photos and the name of a man the network says is sought for questioning concerning the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping.

On Feb. 3, Elizabeth's parents, Ed and Lois Smart, released a police composite sketch of a transient called Emmanuel who had worked for them about a year ago. Police said they released the sketch because 9-year-old Mary Katherine Smart, who saw the abduction, said the man looks like the person she saw take Elizabeth from their bedroom last June.

"I think it is a significant development that they actually have been able to get the picture of who Emmanuel is," family member David Smart said late Saturday. "The main thing is just getting him to contact law enforcement so law enforcement can talk to him.

Lois Smart said she met the man while he was panhandling in downtown Salt Lake City. She gave him $5 and asked if he needed work. The next day, the man came to their home to pull weeds and work on the roof.

Noting that he seemed well-mannered and nice, Lois Smart said the man looked as if he could work. The man told the Smarts he was traveling from one homeless shelter to another preaching the word of God.

After the sketch was published, according to "America's Most Wanted," "Police got a call from a woman who said she's Emmanuel's sister. She told them she doesn't know where he is, but she gave them a lot of information about him, including pictures."

He may now have longer hair and a beard, the announcer said.

"Police now know Emmanuel's real name is Brian David Mitchell. He calls himself Emmanuel for religious reasons. He's believed to be traveling with his wife, named Wanda," according to the program.

They could have headed from Utah to a warm location, possibly to the south, the show said. It added, "Police stress he's not a suspect. They want to question him about Elizabeth's disappearance."

At the time the sketch was released, Salt Lake Police Sgt. Fred Louis said "Emmanuel" was no more a suspect than anyone else.

The program, which is broadcast on Ch. 13, asked anyone who knows his whereabouts to call 1-800-CRIME-TV. "America's Most Wanted" posted what it said is Mitchell's photo on its Internet site, www2.amw.com/amw.html.

The Web site says Mitchell changed his name to David Emmanuel Isiah for religious purposes. He is believed to be homeless, it adds.

E-MAIL: bau@desnews.com

[Palladin]

Has any FReeper seen Brian David Mitchell, wanted for questioning in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart? With 100,000 pairs of eyes out there, maybe someone can find this person of interest. He is believed to spend winters in Florida.

[latrans]

Are there any homeless, ex-cons, junkies, and otherwise ner-do-wells that Mr Smart DIDN'T hire?

[Palladin]

Good question. However, John Walsh has featured this Mitchell person on two recent broadcasts,(Feb.16 and Mar.1) so there may be something to it.

More about Mitchell:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,460029760,00.html

[shadeaud]

Seems that Mr. Smart................wasn't very.

[Grig]

"Police said they released the sketch because 9-year-old Mary Katherine Smart, who saw the abduction, said the man looks like the person she saw take Elizabeth from their bedroom last June."

When was the sketch made? It sounds like the police were sitting on this sketch since June or July until now. They said all along they had a good description from the sister and the full co-operation of the family so what was the hold up?

[Grig]

Perhaps, but I think he was trying to be compassionate to the downtrodden.

[Spiff]

Are there any homeless, ex-cons, junkies, and otherwise ner-do-wells that Mr Smart DIDN'T hire?

People who are Christ-like in their compassion for others, refusing to pass judgement, turning the other cheek, sometimes pay the ultimate price. However, their rewards are not laid up on this earth, but in heaven.

Christ himself kept company with unsavory people. When his ministry on this earth was nearly complete one of them betrayed him for some pocket change. He, a criminal, hung and died between two common thieves.

I don't know why I'm saying this. I probably need to put on my asbestos after saying it. But, some of us here - myself included - are far too quick to condemn.

[cricket]

"Are there any homeless, ex-cons, junkies, and otherwise ner-do-wells that Mr Smart DIDN'T hire?"

. . .Yes, they seemed used to having the homeless help out around the house. . .

Perhaps this has been answered but have they said 'why' they did not release this picture after the composite was made. . .which I think was within a few days of the abduction. Do remember their refusal; but not the 'why' of it.

Seems a bit 'too late Smart' here. . .so to speak.

[Palladin]

Brian David Mitchell:

[cricket]

"Christ himself kept company with unsavory people."

. . .well, true; but he did not bring them home to Mary and Joseph's house. . .

[bonfire]

"Are there any homeless, ex-cons, junkies, and otherwise ner-do-wells that Mr Smart DIDN'T hire?"

There's such a thing as being compassionate and another when it comes to protecting your family. Especially a family with young, beautiful girls. I HAVE a young beautiful daughter and I'll always error on the side of caution.

[Spiff]

well, true; but he did not bring them home to Mary and Joseph's house. .

And you know this...how?

[Palladin]

I believe the sketch of Mitchell was made recently by the SLPD working with Ed Smart. This is not to be confused with the sketch made by Jean Boylan working with Mary Katherine Smart.

Mary Katherine told her parents recently that she remembered who the voice of the abductor sounded like, and it was the roofer/itinerant preacher, Mitchell.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

I was up in Utah for a conference. Spent most of my time in Draper and Sandy. EVERYONE had posters and flyers out for Elizabeth Smart. It was very depressing.

Sad state of events, but sometimes you can be TOO trusting.

[Palladin]

From the Deseret News:

The search for Mitchell began after Mary Katherine Smart, the only known witness to her sister's kidnapping, remembered the roofer a few months ago. She told her father, who had a composite drawing done with a Salt Lake City police sketch artist. The drawing was later shown on "America's Most Wanted."
"The issue is the hair. She remembered his hair being combed back or slicked back," Ed Smart said of Mary Katherine's recollection of the man.
Mary Katherine has seen pictures of Mitchell since his name was brought to the attention of authorities but Ed Smart would only say, "She doesn't know if it's him. She thinks it still might be him."
Mitchell, or "Emmanuel," met the Smarts while he was panhandling in between Crossroads Mall and ZCMI downtown. Lois Smart asked him if he needed work and invited him to her Federal Heights house. It was a practice that wasn't uncommon for the Smart family. Ed Smart said he would regularly go to Travelers Aid Society to hire people to work at his house as a way to help the homeless. Though he said his attitude toward that practice has changed, at the time "I didn't feel I was putting my family at risk," he said.
The next day the man, who said his only other occupation was preaching to the homeless, raked leaves and did some work on the Smarts' roof for five hours. That was the last time the Smart family ever saw the man, though Smart said his sister believes she saw Mitchell at the Kinkos store near the University of Utah asking for money on the day Elizabeth was kidnapped.
Although Smart said he cannot completely discount Richard Ricci, another former handyman who worked for the family, as a suspect, anything is possible.
"I don't know. I really don't know. I'm anxious for (Mitchell) to come forward and talk to (police)," he said. "If there is something (to Mitchell) then great, if not then we're back to square one."

[Palladin]

John Walsh seems to be hot on the trail of Mitchell. Did you see the repeat of the AMW show on him last week? Sure is a creepy-looking dude, esp. when decked out in his white robes. AMW showed several different photos this time...Mitchell is like a chameleon...he looks different in every photo. Do any of you have other pics to add to this thread?

[Neenah]

Mary Katherine told her parents recently that she remembered who the voice of the abductor sounded like, and it was the roofer/itinerant preacher, Mitchell.

ROF!! Mary is learning well !! He was there for 5 hours on a weekday on the ROOF, and MK remembered his voice ???? At nine years old??? 9 months ago? HAR !

[fatidic]

None of this story makes sense to me. There is something fishy about the Smarts and Elizabeth's disappearance. I pray for justice and that all will be revealed in God's time.

[Palladin]

I'm glad to hear that the posters are still up. Elizabeth has been pushed out of the public eye, with all the other news of the day. I'm hoping this thread in News and Activism might rekindle interest in finding her and her (possible) abductor.

[Neenah]

Nice to hear from you, Palladin !!