Elizabeth Smart: I Was Almost Saved

Elizabeth Smart testified Tuesday that she complied with her kidnappers because she was afraid for her life and her family’s safety, in her second day on the stand in the trial of alleged kidnapper Brian David Mitchell. Smart, kidnapped at knifepoint by fundamentalist Mormons Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, in 2002, testified that the pair made her burn the red pajamas and shoes she was wearing at the time of the kidnapping and wear white robes at all times. Smart kept a small piece of the items, though, “because I didn’t want to let go of my family, of my life.” Smart also told the jury about when a police officer approached the trio to ascertain her identity under the veil she was forced to wear—but the officer walked away when Mitchell and Barzee refused to remove Smart’s veil. “I felt like hope was walking out the door … I felt upset with myself I hadn’t done anything, that I hadn’t taken a chance.” Smart will resume her testimony tomorrow and describe her rescue.