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CNN Sunday Morning

Authorities Question Bret Michael Edmunds

Aired June 23, 2002 - 09:12   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now let's move on to the case of Elizabeth Smart. Authorities have questioned drifter Bret Edmunds in the disappearance of the Utah teenager. One official says Edmunds cooperated with the interviews and the searching of his car. CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us now from Salt Lake City with more on that and the latest on the search for 14-year-old Elizabeth. Hello, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles. The quote from law enforcement officials here, Edmunds has been "pretty cooperative in his interviews with FBI and Salt Lake City police representatives." Cooperative particularly, we're told, on the matter of his car, raising no objections to having crime scene investigators lift potential evidence from the inside, including fibers and hairs, also cooperative in reconstructing the route he took after he left the state of Utah.

Law enforcement officials say it is unlikely that the interview with Edmunds will go into a second day, although a Salt Lake City police official said that the interview was interrupted at least once while hospital personnel administered medical care to Edmunds. He is in serious condition in West Virginia.

No answer yet from law enforcement officials on the critical question of whether Edmunds denied or admitted any involvement in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. Now last night here in Salt Lake, there was a benefit concert put on by members of Elizabeth's harp ensemble; amongst those at attendance at the event Elizabeth's parents, Lois and Ed Smart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED SMART, FATHER OF ELIZABETH SMART: 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 it and love you. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: FBI and Salt Lake City police officials will be meeting this morning to review the status of the case and the information they've gleaned in West Virginian and determine exactly where the investigation goes from here -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jeanne Meserve in Salt Lake City, thank you very much.

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