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Smart's Co-Abductor: 'I Am So Sorry, Elizabeth'

Barzee expected to serve another 9 years in prison

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:53 PM CST
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(AP) – A woman charged in the 2002 kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart pleaded guilty today as part of a deal with prosecutors and asked Smart to forgive her. Wanda Eileen Barzee is expected to receive a 15-year sentence, with credit for about six already served. "I am so sorry, Elizabeth, for all the pain and suffering I have caused you and your family," said Barzee, 64. "It is my hope that you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me."

Smart, now 22 and preparing to serve a mission in Paris for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was not in court. Barzee pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor and will cooperate in the case against her husband, Brian David Mitchell. They kidnapped Smart when she was 14 and held her for 9 months.

Brian Mitchell, left, and his wife, Wanda Barzee, in 2003.
Brian Mitchell, left, and his wife, Wanda Barzee, in 2003.   (AP Photo/Salt Lake County Sheriff, File)
Elizabeth Smart in October.
Elizabeth Smart in October.   (AP Photo/Colin Braley, File)
In this Oct. 16 photo, Wanda Eileen Barzee stands with her attorney in court.
In this Oct. 16 photo, Wanda Eileen Barzee stands with her attorney in court.   (AP Photo/Rick Egan, Pool, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
So_Cal_Larry
Nov 19, 2009 4:07 AM CST
I think that many females are under heavy physical and psychological control by males. They are threatened and beaten by these men. They become mentally unstable. They are losers no matter what. They are often killed by males. They do what they are told, or else. If the kill the male, they go to prison. If they are percieved as part of the male's criminal life, they go to prison. If they do little other than be there, doing what they're told, they go to prison. There's no winning for losing. And the same psychological trauma set in for Elizabeth Smart and Jaycee Dugard. I feel sorry for Barzee.
Timinator2K
Nov 17, 2009 10:16 AM CST
Sorry doesn't quite mean anything anymore, especially coming from spineless enablers who stood by and allowed child rape. Toss this bitch into the people shredder.
Jassy
Nov 17, 2009 8:01 AM CST
How very sad her apology came so late. Elizabeth Smart will have to live with what happened to her for the rest of her life and this woman could have prevented it.

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kidnapping • Elizabeth Smart • Brian David Mitchell • Elizabeth Smart kidnapping • Wanda Barzee

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