Comments about ‘Mitchell returning to court’

I don't believe either of these people are crazy (unless you accept the idea that serious anti-social behavior is crazy by definition). I think both them are quite smart--they've managed to hold of their trials how many years now? And if they ever do get to trail, what do you want to bet that they will appeal on the basis that they were denied their right to a "speedy trial."

I think it's unbelievably stupid that they need to have hearings about this. They should have started forcibly medicating Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee back in 2004/2005. Why do they need to waste time with hearings? The whole point of mental hospitals is to TREAT the mentally ill. If Mitchell is not participating in therapy and refuses to take medication, then he may as well be in prison. Personally, I and many others are convinced he's faking his "incompetency" to stay out of prison so as not to get the tar beaten out of him by other inmates, and/or so as not to be made into some inmate's "girl". He obviously feels safe in the hospital. I can't understand why Judge Atherton insists on being stupid. She has to know he's putting on an act. He needs to be put in a soundproof box in the courtroom, with a listening device, so that he can't interrupt the court proceedings yet hear what's going on.

Why do they need to have hearings about something they should have started doing back in 2005? This whole thing is so unbelievably stupid. Mitchell is putting on an act to stay out of prison because he obviously feels safer in the mental hospital. Everyone knows he's faking his "incompetency", the fact that he won't take medication, refuses to participate in therapy and continues to act up in court proves that. Why can't Judge Atherton or Mitchell's attorneys control him?

It's convenient for him how he wasn't this "crazy" the whole time he had Elizabeth! I'd like to know how he acts "off stage" when he is not heading to the courtroom. It's sickening to see this type of person taking advantage of the justice system and how pathetic is our society that we've allowed it.

This is a case that no one that was involved with ever wants to see go to trial. There are more lies and cover-ups in this "little situation". The hope is that time and death will just make it go away.

For the people that feel forced medication without holding hearings is a good idea, I feel sorry for you. I ask you, would it be alright if Judge Atherton held you without bail and forced medicated you? Both of these suspects are only accused of a crime. Neither have been convicted of anything. They are innocent until proved guilty. They have the same rights as you and I. I have the right not to be forced medicated. You seem content to surrender your right. Line up for your meds!!

Why dont they just, kill this animal !!!!

I am living out of the country temporarily & picked up this news story this morning. I was disgusted to hear Mitchell is still having his day on stage.

Everyone & anyone who followed the Mitchel case could tell from day 1 he was putting on a huge show. I am discusted our court system allows a very bright but wicked individual to manipute as he has. He has gravely hurt a beautiful,innocent girl & a beautiful family beyond repair while he is still having his hey-day, enjoying his theatric ability. Of course he will continue as long as he's allowed. He knows what will happen to him as soon as he gets out of character for a minute. Sudaam Hussein tried to pull the same theatrics but fortunatey his justice system saw through the charade much sooner than ours,saving millions of dollars & the dignity of a court system.

Please allow a sweet innocent family have some type of closure to a nightmare that will follow & scar them for life.

In this case the criminal has more rights than the victim which is unfortunately the case all too often due to the convincing techniques of crafty lawers. why is O.J. Simpson walking the streets???

I can't tell you how I know this, but Mitchell would run for forty-five minutes everyday in the rec-yard of hi P.C. pod at the Salt Lake County Jail. Then he would get out his papers with his "Hymns" on them and sign like he was in the Tabernacle Choir bass section for an hour at least once or twice a week. (He actually sang pretty good.) Even though he kept on singing while the other inmates heckled him, Mitchell always quit singing when the pod guard came to do their rounds(no the guards didn't sing...) to make sure everybody was alright and behaving.

Note to Anonymous @1:17p.m. "They have the same rights as you and I." I am probably safe in saying that you have never been arrested, jailed, and held in jail all the way through your trial. What's more, you probably have never been under-misrepresented by indifferent and ineffective attorneys who botch your case because a self-righteous Judge keeps you incarcerated so that you have no way to help prepare a proper defense for yourself. See with no way to research the laws surrounding the issues of your case the State has got Trial pretty much going its way. I'm sorry but an inmate doesn't have the same rights as a "free" citizen! Also, if a person is "presumed innocent..."- then why hold them in Jail before their Trial?? It seems that someone has made a "judgment"(no pun intended) that the accused has committed some and is therefore "guilty" even without a trial. It generally involves a complainant, an arresting officer, and then a Judge usually in a District Court.

To anonymous@1;17 on Sept.9, Brian Mitchell (and Wanda Barzee) may not have been convicted of anything yet, but if he's innocent, why does he keep playing games at his competency hearings? An innocent man would not act like that, he would behave himself so as to have his day in court so he could be exonerated and go on with his life. Mitchell has not acted like an innocent man since the day he was arrested in March 2003. I read somewhere that he behaves himself in the mental hospital; the only times he acts up are at his competency hearings. And what "lies and cover-ups" are you talking about? The only people in this situation who've lied are Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. Since early 2004 there's been a gag order on everyone directly connected to the Elizabeth Smart case so you're not going to get any more inside info. on it than you've got already, and Elizabeth Smart does not owe John Q. Public an explanation for anything.

IMO Mitchell is guilty as charged and should be kept either in prison or a mental facility for rest of his life, if released I belive he would be a danger to the public. As to if Mitchell is insane or not, IMO Mitchell is a con man playing the system to avoid prison, his actions in court a sham to delay trial and set up a not guilty by insanity defense by his lawyers. Mitchell IMO is not insane, he knows what he is doing, the fact that he forced his victim to wear disguse shows that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

I agree with poster Lacee that " Elizabeth Smart does not owe John Q. Public an explanation for anything."

It's Mitchell that owes the public an explanation for his actions. Hope that court orders medication, being straped on a gurney while recieving his meds would serve him right.