As details have been disclosed during the trial, it is even more appalling and heart breaking to hear the terror and suffering Elizabeth endured during her captivity. She was found alive nine months after disappearing, on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home, in the company of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee (his wife), who were later indicted for her kidnapping. How on earth does a person become so evil as to commit the horrific crimes against innocent children? I will never understand this.
Obviously his defense team is trying to say he's mentally ill. According to a report filed by Jennifer Dobner with the AP, a Utah State Hospital doctor says he believes the man charged with the abduction of Elizabeth Smart suffers from a major psychotic illness. Forensic psychiatrist Paul Whitehead testified that he believed Mitchell needed anti-psychotic medications, but added that Mitchell refused all treatments. Gee, I wonder why. I don't believe for a minute that this man is mentally ill. I believe he is EVIL and knows exactly what he's doing. He's manipulating the medical and justice system to try and get away with the crimes he committed against Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is actively participating in the trial against Mitchell. She has repeatedly stated that she wanted to be heard and let everyone know how EVIL this monster is. Even his wife, who is serving a 15 years sentence for her involvement in the kidnapping has testified against him. Jeanette Moses, with TIME Magazine, reported that Brian David Mitchell's lawyer may be pushing an insanity defense in the self-proclaimed prophet's trial for kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, but there was no assistance from Mitchell's accomplice, his wife Wanda Barzee. "He's a great deceiver," she told the jury last week, after testifying that Mitchell was a manipulative and calculating man who used blessings and the word of God to intimidate those around him — beginning with herself. Again, this is an EVIL person. He's vile to the core.I've always struggled with people in and out of the LDS faith who say we're to forgive and turn the other cheek. I've seen too many people who have watched their children be abused (emotionally, physically, and sexually) while they do nothing. I have known spouses who were battered and raped by their husbands who stayed in the marriage because of the misunderstood "knowledge" of forgiveness. Never were we told to put up with abuse. Never. There are people who are truly evil and will do everything in their power to destroy those around them.... in the name of God. Since when does a vile act come from our loving Heavenly Father? Think about it.
Are we too judge? No. Are we to just let a crime go unpunished? No. That is what justice is about. It's time to put these monsters away for good. People like Mitchell and Barzee should never be allowed to walk free in society ever again. Unfortunately there are many more out there just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Bottom line. I hope Mitchell has every conceivable guilty verdict leveled against him. I hope he dies in prison.
As for Elizabeth. She is a strong and courageous woman now. I pray for her continued growth, peace, and happiness as she goes through her life. I'm certain great things are ahead for her.
1 comment:
It also amazes me that Elizabeth has come home from her mission to testify in this case. She is so strong to be able to do that and then go back.
As for the question about forgiving others, this is something that I have often questioned and wondered about. I have come to the conclusion that we are supposed to forgive and let the laws of the land and God punish them. It doesn't excuse the crime, nor does it make the memory of that crime go away. I often think that forgiveness is not so much for the offender, because they will get theirs in the end, but it is for the person who was offended against. Forgiveness is not an instantaneous moment. It is a process, some take longer than others. Ultimately it is a cleansing process. You have to figure out how to deal with it and let it out of your system, or else it will fester and eat and fester and eat AND fester and eat at you the rest of your life. It will affect all aspects of your life. I think Elizabeth Smart is a great example of that. It is her physical and spiritual strength that has helped her take control of this horrible situation from day one. Remember when she was rescued? She told her mom she wanted to go to school the next day. She has never let it take control of her. Vengeance is working its way through the legal system. And after he rots in prison, I'm sure he will meet his next punishment.
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