Ricci's widow sues investigator

The widow of former Elizabeth Smart kidnapping suspect Richard Ricci has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against the former lead investigator on the case.

In the lawsuit filed Friday, Angela Ricci alleges former Salt Lake City Police officer Cory Lyman improperly pursued an investigation into Ricci, a parolee from the Utah State Prison who had been a handyman at Smart's home. Ricci died in state custody in August 2002, nearly nine months before Smart was discovered walking down a Sandy street with two alleged kidnappers.

Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, have been charged with taking Smart from her Salt Lake home at knifepoint.

Friday's lawsuit accuses Lyman of naming Ricci as a person of interest in the abduction case in order to "satisfy the public's need to identify a suspect." Ricci, the suit states, was the police department's "scapegoat."

"(Lyman) and supervisors perceived a need to name a suspect in order to maintain public trust and confidence in law enforcement," the suit states.

Lyman left the Salt Lake City Police department in January 2003 and is now the police chief in Ketchum, Idaho.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for false arrest, defamation and false imprisonment. It alleges Ricci, who was never charged in connection with the kidnapping, was treated differently than others incarcerated for parole violations and the circumstances hastened his death.

Angela Ricci has previously filed lawsuits against the state Department of Corrections and the Salt Lake City Police Department. She reached a $150,000 settlement with the Corrections Department in September and the case against the city is ongoing.