Judge Orders Smart Kidnap Suspect Medicated

A Salt Lake City judge has ruled that the woman charged in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart can be forcibly medicated to try to restore her competency to stand trial on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated burglary and conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping.

Judge Judith Atherton ruled that Wanda Barzee, 60, meets all of the requirements in determining if a defendant can be forced to take medication, citing a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing forced medication in some cases.

The court ruled that the state must show a compelling interest, that forced medication would further that interest and results could not be achieved with less intrusive means.

Dr. Kreg Jeppson, who treats Barzee, told the judge in an earlier hearing that she would probably benefit from medication. Barzee and her husband, Brian David Mitchell, were both declared incompetent to stand trial.

See Also:
Kidnap Suspect Can Be Medicated for Trial, Judge Says

Background:
The Elizabeth Smart Case

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