Elizabeth Smart to offer first testimony to alleged abductor’s competency in 7-year-old case
By APThursday, October 1, 2009
Elizabeth Smart to testify to suspect’s competency
SALT LAKE CITY — Elizabeth Smart will offer her first testimony about being snatched from her bedroom seven years ago and held for nine months at a competency hearing for her alleged kidnapper.
Smart was scheduled to take the stand early Thursday in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.
Brian David Mitchell has twice been found incompetent for trial. Mitchell and his estranged wife were found with Smart nine months after the girl disappeared from her Salt Lake City home.
A judge ruled earlier this week that testimony from Smart, now 21, is relevant to Mitchell’s mental competency.
Mitchell was accused of taking Smart, who was 14 when she was kidnapped, as a polygamous wife to fulfill a religious prophecy.
