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American Morning

New Twist in Kidnapping Case of Elizabeth Smart

Aired July 11, 2002 - 08:05   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: A new twist in the kidnapping case of Elizabeth Smart. Her parents have received a letter indicating that someone wants to negotiate the girl's release. But police have doubts about this letter.

CNN's Mark Potter is standing by live now in Salt Lake City. He joins us with the latest details -- hello, Mark.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.

You're right, police and even family members doubt the credibility of this letter, which, however, has generated at least some hope for the family. Yesterday, Ed Smart said that they received a letter from someone unidentified who purportedly has heard from the abductor and according to the letter the abductor wants to negotiate the release of the young girl, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart.

But the letter contains no details on how that negotiation is to be conducted, no ransom demand, no credible proof that the girl is alive.

Now, police have seen the letter and they say they have very serious doubts about it, noting that there have been other hoaxes in this case, including three phony ransom demands. They say that they are focusing almost all their effort now of their investigation still on 48-year-old Richard Ricci, the former handyman at the Smart home. He has denied any involvement in the abduction.

We are told that later this afternoon he will face burglary and theft charges for allegedly taking items from the Smart home, from another home in the neighborhood and from a hardware store. Now, this was before the abduction. No charges in that case have actually been filed.

And as to the letter itself, again, Ed Smart says that since he went public yesterday, he has had no follow-up contact with the letter writer or anyone actually claiming to be the abductor -- Leon.

HARRIS: Mark Potter live in Salt Lake City.

Thanks very much, Mark.

We'll get back to you later on.

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