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CNN Sunday Morning

Police Say Edmunds Is Cooperating With Authorities

Aired June 23, 2002 - 10:18   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to the case of the missing Utah teenager. Authorities have questioned a drifter sought as a possible witness in the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart. CNN's Jeanne Meserve joining us from Salt Lake City with more on this story.

Jeanne, good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles. Law officials here still not saying whether or not Bret Edmunds admitted or denied any involvement in the disappearance of Elizabeth Smart, or whether they believed what he had to say.

They do say that he was cooperative during the interview, particularly when it came to the matter of his car, a 1997 green Saturn. They say he raised no objection when crime scene investigators investigated the inside, picking up things like fingerprints, fiber and hair for further analysis. They also say he cooperated in trying to reconstruct the timeline and route he took since he left the state of Utah.

He has been in a West Virginia hospital since Thursday. We're told that the interview yesterday was interrupted at least once when hospital officials had to administer to him medically. But law enforcement officials here believing they asked him all the questions they had to ask him yesterday. They doubt that this interview will go into a second day.

Meanwhile, in Salt Lake last evening, there was a benefit concert downtown, given by the harp ensemble of which Elizabeth is a member. Her parents, Ed and Lois Smart, were in attendance and had a few words to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED SMART, ELIZABETH'S FATHER: We pray for the lost soul to return to the fold. Life's journey is not yet ended. Thank you so much for being here tonight. We appreciate and love -- love you. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Police and the FBI are meeting at this hour to review the status of the case at this point, and review what information they've been able to get from Bret Edmunds in West Virginia. And then, they'll decide where the investigation goes from here. Miles, back to you.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jeanne Meserve joining us from Salt Lake City. Thank you very much.

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