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Elizabeth Smart Recounts Daily Sexual Abuse

She testifies that captor uses religious rants to get his way

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – Elizabeth Smart delivered frank testimony in federal court today on the abuse she suffered at the hands of Brian David Mitchell during a 9-month abduction, describing how Mitchell used religion to justify repeatedly raping her. Smart, 14 at the time, said Mitchell chained her leg to a tree at the campsite where she was held and raped her daily. When she resisted his advances, he would tell her: “The Lord says you have to do this, you have to experience the lowest form of humanity to experience the highest.”

Smart, now 21, testified in a trial to determine whether Mitchell is mentally fit to face federal kidnapping charges. Though Mitchell sang Mormon hymns constantly in court, Smart testified that he could turn off his religious ranting if it would get him what he wanted. Asked by prosecutors to describe Mitchell, Smart said, "evil, wicked, manipulative, sneaky, slimy, selfish, greedy."

Elizabeth Smart leaves federal court after testifying at a competency hearing for her alleged kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, Oct. 1, 2009, in Salt Lake City.
Elizabeth Smart leaves federal court after testifying at a competency hearing for her alleged kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, Oct. 1, 2009, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Colin Braley)
Elizabeth Smart, right, walks out of the federal courthouse with her mother Lois Smart after testifying at a hearing for her alleged kidnapper,  Brian David Mitchell, Oct. 1 2009, in Salt Lake City.
Elizabeth Smart, right, walks out of the federal courthouse with her mother Lois Smart after testifying at a hearing for her alleged kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, Oct. 1 2009, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Colin Braley)
Brian David Mitchell arrives at the Salt Lake City federal courthouse for a hearing Thursday, Oct. 1 2009, in Salt Lake City.
Brian David Mitchell arrives at the Salt Lake City federal courthouse for a hearing Thursday, Oct. 1 2009, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Colin Braley)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 17, 2009 12:58 PM CST
C'mon you wicked men (Tim'nSpuds). He was jis doin' what Joseph Smith 'n Brigham Young told him to do. Well done to the spunky kid for testifying against the vicar (just another in a very long line of abusers).
prowlerzee
Oct 3, 2009 8:41 AM CDT
Yes, indeed, and if you read the entire story in the LA Times, it was Smart herself who tricked the scum into taking them to Salt Lake City, where she hoped to be found and rescued.
Robert_Dada
Oct 2, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Where's Aelius28 on this one? Probably missed the article as he attempts to advocate hedonistic lifestyles upon those who are not fully capable of understanding the ramifications of the decisions they are being asked to make.

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