A woman, who is accused of the kidnapping of Salt Lake City
teenager Elizabeth Smart and who has been ordered to take antipsychotic
drugs in an effort to make her competent to stand trial, has appealed that
ruling to the state Supreme Court. Wanda Barzee's attorney said the forced
medication could do more harm than good.
In June, District Judge Judith Atherton ruled Barzee meets all the requirements outlined in a U.S. Supreme Court decision for a defendant to be forced to take medication. Barzee and her estranged husband Brian David Mitchell have been charged in the 2002 abduction of Smart, and both have been declared incompetent to stand trial.
Barzee's attorney told the Utah Supreme Court that forcing Barzee to take medication could be harmful to her mental health. "Imagine the traumatic effect of being strapped down. ... It's not going to make her any less crazy," he said.
A hearing is scheduled Dec. 18 to review Mitchell's competency. Doctors have been trying to rehabilitate him without the use of medications. In past hearings, Mitchell has been disruptive and had to be removed from the courtroom.
Elizabeth Smart was taken from her bedroom in June 2002 and found nine months later with Barzee and Mitchell. Barzee and Mitchell are charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, burglary and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
See Also:
Forced Drugs Debated in Smart Case
Background:
The Elizabeth Smart Case
Forum:
Discuss
The Elizabeth Smart Case
Comments
Medication won’t make her less crazy? It certainly can’t make her crazier than she already is. They’ve tried everything except medication. I understand why the Smarts would welcome delays but Mitchell and Barzee are only pretending to be incompetent. They need to grow up and take responsibility for their actions instead of using God and religion as a lame excuse for rape, theft, adultery, and being the devil’s disciples.
Actually I think the Smart family wants the prosecutors to offer them and deal and get it over with instead of going to trial at all.