Several Charges Filed Against Elizabeth's Accused Kidnappers

Arraignment Expected Tuesday Or Wednesday

WESH TV News/March 18, 2003

Salt Lake City --Kidnapping charges have been filed against Brian Mitchell and his wife in the Elizabeth Smart case.

Bail is set at $10 million apiece for Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. They are charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary.

Authorities say Mitchell abducted the girl from her bedroom at knifepoint last June. Mitchell and Barzee were found with Elizabeth last week near Salt Lake City.

According to the charging documents, Mitchell entered the homeusing a knife to cut a window screen. The documents say he then forced Elizabeth to walk four miles up a mountain trail behind the home to a concealed campsite.

Prosecutors say he threatened to hurt or kill the girl's family if she resisted. They say from then until October, the couple held the girl against her will at the campsite with little or no shelter, plumbing, water or food.