Comments about ‘Barzee admits guilt, apologizes’

Congratulations to the Smart family, the prosecutors, and to Ms. Barzee. This is a giant step toward resolving this heart wrenching incident.
So many of us have felt the pain along with you every step of the way.

Half of the steps needed to move on. Also congratulations to all that have been so instrumental with their help to end this ordeal

FREAKIN TIME!!!!!!!!

Like it or not, the truth is Wanda was and is a victom of her estranged husband as well. She was led to believe he was who he made himself out to be, and got her to participate in horrible things, and do so willingly. I hope the Smart family does forgive her. For a time Elizabeth herself did things to "hide" from being discovered. She was in "Public Eye" and didn't make gesture to seek rescue. When people are misled they go through horrible things! I don't sympathize with her, but I do understand the position she was in. Give it a rest! She deserves a few more years in prison and getting help, then she needs to get out and have a LIFE! Her ex-husband is a nut case, and he is someone who belongs in prison his whole life! IF HE IS GUILTY, he should have the key thrown away! The Smarts need to forgive this woman and understand she is a victim as well. Like the woman who hit me, and killed my friend in 1996, she is a victim of drugs and addiction, I forgive her, NOT THE ACT!

Why is this process taking so long? Why has this taken so long to finally come to court?

I notice Ms. Barzee didn't ask for leniency, or call herself a victim and therefore not responsible. She is taking responsibility and not making excuses. Good for her.

Both Barzee and Elisabeth Smart were victims of this nut case Mitchell. I feel bad for Barzee. I think she was brain washed and delusional but she did break the law and took part in the kidnapping so she must pay the price. For Barzee I would rather see some sort of mental heath therapy and confinement but Mitchell needs to do hard time in Prison.

Mitchell deserves to be held to the Golden Rule in reverse - be as denegrated as he was to them.

I admit I am actually amazed to hear of anyone pleading guilty, as I can't remember that last time I heard that phrase actually uttered... everyone has some excuse or another and why it is someone else's fault and they aren't responsible.

Good for her for owning up to what she did -although I have to add that it is pretty brazen and bold to ask for forgiveness -- what they did to sweet Elizabeth Smart, and by extension to her family, was unspeakably horrific!

No, she was not. She may have been deceived, but this was because of an abandonment on her part of the truth at some point. This case goes to show the importance of dedication to Truth. Apparently she is now beginning to reconcile herself to the truth and own up to her deeds.

Thank you Mrs. Barzee for you humility and your example to others who may be facing their own courtroom situations.

Until recently, Barzee had been declared incompetent to stand trial. Only after a recent change in Utah law allowed authorities to medicate her for her mental illness has she been ruled competent. That's why her case has taken so long.

Estranged is a peculiarly apt word for him.

Considering the heinous nature of Ms. Barzee's crime, fifteen years seems a light sentence (actually less because she is credited for time already served in the mental hospital, where she refused medication). Who is to say that after she gets out of prison, she won't refuse medication again (unless it is court-ordered, which it WON'T do.

Up to the point where the article pointed out the Barzee was instrumental in "encouraging" the kidnapping, I was satisfied with the plea arrangement. Learning this new facet of the crime, what makes her any less of a threat to society than Brian David Mitchell. Furthermore, I am not convinced of her remorse for assisting in the rape, if she is still trying to lessen her sentence. I recently watched a program regarding the Jaycee Dugard kidnapping, and suffice it to say these kidnappers should not ever be given the option of parole. I am starting to feel like that applies to Wanda Barzee as well.

Sometimes people get in situations where they create their own realities. I am not sticking up for Barzee but, I am sure that her being around Mitchell didn't help her mental state. I feel like she truly was convinced that she was doing the right thing. While some of us believe that is simply impossible...we should step back and take in consideration that Barzee was being abused to. In situations of abuse the abuser has controll. Who knows what Mitchell was threatening or making Barzee believe.

Its great to see her be accountable for her actions. She was mentally ill. You can see that based on her response to treatment. She was sick at the time of the kidnapping. She needed treatment and its nice to see that she got it. I hope that her mental illness will help Elizabeth move forward.

My mom was abusive toward me growing up. She is bipolar and was not receiving treatment. With therapy I was able to reframe what happened and see that she was sick. Her actions were wrong and there is no getting around that. But knowing that she was sick has helped me move forward.

It has been widely publicized that Elizabeth Smart was planning to begin her training to go on a mission on Nov. 10th. I find it remarkable that Elizabeth will finally begin to see justice, just as she is beginning this phase of her life. What a great example she and her family is setting for each one of us.

Why is it you, and many in this discussion, belive Wanda Barzee was only a victim? I didn't read anything in her apology that said she was brainwashed by Mitchell, nor that she said she was a victim? Is it because she's a woman and therefore we assume she cannot think for herself and must have a man do it for her. I don't doubt the sincerity of her apology (although, I don't blindly belive it either), but she is an adult and therefore is just as responsible for her actions as Mitchell is. Do not continue to make excuses for either of these criminals.

The big question is, how is it that Elizabeth Smart can traipse around town with these two nuts and not try to escape... even once! What's going on here? This question would be a good one to put to Barzee some day.

All Knowing, what would you have done if your family was threatend with death? That is what she
believed would happen. He made the threats.