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CNN Sunday Morning

Authorities Have Questioned Drifter Bret Michael Edmunds

Aired June 23, 2002 - 11:12   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the case of Elizabeth Smart. Authorities have questioned drifter Bret Michael Edmunds in the disappearance of the Utah teen.

One official says, Edmunds cooperated with authorities.

CNN's Bob Franken is in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where Edmunds remains hospitalized.

What's the latest, Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're heading back to Salt Lake City, they being, the FBI agents and Salt Lake City policeman, who were here benefiting from that cooperation. They spent a large part of yesterday interrogating the man who has been in this hospital.

Bret Edmunds has been in this hospital since early Thursday when he checked himself in under an alias, with drug problems and liver problems. He has been in serious condition since then, but he had improved to the point yesterday where he could be questioned, quite extensively questioned.

According to the officials, he was quite cooperative. Cooperative to the point that he allowed the search of his car, the famous Saturn automobile that had evaded detection as he made his way, the 1,800 miles across the country from Salt Lake City to here. But it was spotted when someone had figured out that it was, in fact, the man who was so badly wanted in the Elizabeth Smart case.

Now, we have no idea from officials whether he provided any information that can be helpful. No idea which would change his status from a witness to a suspect. Only that they've gotten all that they need from him right now. He is going to stay in the hospital, requiring more treatment until he can be brought before a magistrate, with the probability that he will be extradited to Utah, at some point or other, to face other charges not related to Elizabeth Smart matter.

Now, whether he provided any help, that is something that should turn up in the next couple of days as the investigation continues with no success out of Salt Lake City -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Bob Franken, thank you.

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