Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Security Video May Hold Key to Smart Disappearance

Aired July 08, 2002 - 11:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: FBI experts are poring over a grainy security video today. They want to know if it holds any clues about the kidnapping in June of Utah teen Elizabeth Smart. CNN's Mark Potter is in Salt Lake City this morning. He checks in with the latest on this story for us. Hi, Mark.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon. Well, the investigation continues. It has now entered its second month. And we're told by authorities that they still have not gotten that big break they need. They did work over the weekend, but we are told that there were no major developments.

Now as to that videotape, that's a story that's been out there for several weeks that resurfaced again this weekend. And, indeed, the FBI is looking at this videotape. It's going over it in its laboratory. This is a tape that was made by a security camera at the Shriners Hospital, across the street from where we stand and near the Smart home.

The security guard there says that on the morning of the abduction, he saw some suspicious activity at the -- in the parking lot of the hospital. He saw some cars out there that seemed to be out of place. The authorities came and they got the videotape, but we are being told that they really don't think very much of this videotape, that it's not very good in terms of its quality for identification purposes. And on the record, the police are saying that they don't even think that the cars seen on this tape were actually involved in the abduction. So a lot of talk about this., but not much hope, actually, on the part of the investigators. But they're continuing to look at it.

They're looking at other information that they have dug up, other evidence from this area, and that process continues slowly and in a laborious way, but they press on. Meanwhile, over the weekend, the long holiday weekend, there were some searches out in the remote areas. People organizing themselves, still going out to look for 14- year-old Elizabeth Smart. We are told that those searches, once again, were to no avail. There is still no credible information that has been developed on the whereabouts or the condition of Elizabeth. She was taken more than a month ago, and police say their number one goal to try to find her. But they still have not been able to come up with any information that puts them closer to that goal.

Now, meanwhile, the investigation continues to focus on 48-year- old Richard Ricci. He was the handyman in the Smart home a year ago. He is now in prison there being held on alleged parole violations. He has denied any involvement in the abduction. The authorities say that maybe this week they could file charges against him related to some burglaries. Those charges are under consideration. They, at the very least, involved an allegation that he took items from the Smart home when he worked for them a year ago. But, again, that charge has not been filed, and most importantly, no charges at all have been filed in connection with the abduction itself -- Leon.

HARRIS: Incredible story. It just needs a break, I'm telling you. Mark Potter, thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com