Brian David Mitchell
Brian David Mitchell (born
October 18,
1953) is a suspect in the
2002 Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case. He and his wife
Wanda Ileen Barzee, have been indicted by a Utah grand jury for
kidnapping Smart from her
Salt Lake City,
Utah home, and keeping her in their custody until the following year, when she was discovered. His trial on these charges has been postponed indefinitely, following a court ruling that he is not mentally
competent to stand
trial. This ambiguity notwithstanding, authorities have concluded their investigation into Smart's kidnapping; no other suspects are sought.
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This photo of Elizabeth Smart was widely distributed after her abduction from her bedroom in June of 2002. |
According to her sister, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her bedroom in the affluent
Federal Heights district of
Salt Lake City on
June 5, 2002, at knifepoint. Meanwhile, the sister had been pretending to be asleep and did not inform her parents, Lois and Ed Smart, of the events until two hours later, having been told by the kidnapper that he would kill Elizabeth if she made any noise. Several search efforts ensued, including bands of over 2,000 volunteers organized by the
Laura Recovery Center, which disbanded after a week of rescue attempts. National investigations, however, continued.
Just over eight months later, Brian David Mitchell, who was wanted by
police for questioning because he had worked as a
handyman at the Smart residence for one day in November,
2001, was spotted by residents in the street with his two companions about 20 miles south of the Smart home in
Sandy, Utah on
March 12,
2003. When he was stopped by the officers, Smart was wearing a gray wig and a veil. She was recognized during questioning and was promptly reunited with her parents, little sister and four brothers. Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee were taken into custody as suspected kidnappers. It is speculated that Mitchell, who called himself "Immanuel David Isaiah," sought Smart as a bride.
According to the arresting officers, Elizabeth initially identified herself to them as "Augustine." She also said, "I know what you're thinking. You guys think I'm that Elizabeth Smart girl who ran away." When pressed further by the officers to admit that she was indeed Elizabeth Smart, she finally said, "Thou sayest it," a possible reference to the
Gospel of Matthew in the
Bible, in which
Pontius Pilate repeatedly questions
Jesus about his identity. Officer Victor Quezada said he "took that as a yes." Elizabeth has reported that she remained with Mitchell under the belief that he would murder her and harm her family if she fled, but when initially discovered and questioned by Officer Quezada, she claimed that she "ran away". Elizabeth apparently was affected by the
Stockholm syndrome, a psychological phenomenon which causes abductees to subordinate their will to their captor's.
Mitchell and Barzee are being held on $10 million
bond awaiting the outcome of
mental competency tests. The results will indicate whether they are fit to stand trial on charges including kidnapping,
sexual assault and
burglary. The investigation has cost $1.5 million and has amassed 53,000
man-hours. According to the
New York Post, "that included
hypnotizing Elizabeth's 9-year-old sister, Mary Katherine."
Brian David Mitchell was deemed incompetent to stand trial in July 2005, according to this court
decision.
Wanda Barzee was also found incompetent to stand trial in early 2004, and was sent to the Utah State Mental Hospital for treatment. After two years of treatment at the hospital and no visible signs of improvement, lawyers argued as to whether or not Barzee should be forcibly medicated in order to regain her competency for trial. The judge, however, has not yet reached a decision on the matter.[
1]
Prosecutors say that Mitchell and Barzee kidnapped Elizabeth to be Mitchell's
second wife, that they held her against her will in the foothills above Federal Heights until
October 8, and that they then took her to
California, where they stayed until
March 5.
In several writings, Mitchell claims to be a
prophet called by God. He asserts his mission is to correct the
Mormon Church by restoring its fundamental values. He is the author of numerous religious texts, including a manefesto entitled
The Book of Immanuel David Isaiah, proclaiming his messengership and outlining the nature of his work.
Third District Court Judge Judith Atherton issued a decision on
July 26,
2005 regarding the competency of Brian David Mitchell, in which she found that Mr. Mitchell is not competent to proceed to trial. He was remanded to Utah State Hospital.
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A copy of the decision regarding Mitchell's competency to stand trial, in PDF
