Elizabeth Smart Kidnap Trial: Dramatic Start, Abrupt Stop (Time.com)

[Yahoo! News]

Time.com - After years trying to prove the defendant competent to stand trial, the case goes to court -- only to be interrupted by a stay from the court of appeals

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The trials of both Mitchell and Barzee were delayed because there had been arguments about their sanity and competency. Barzee was finally brought to trial after a Utah judge approved forcibly medicating her with antipsychotic drugs to restore her mental competence. She pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping in November 2009 and is currently serving a 15-year sentence. Last March, Mitchell was finally ruled competent to stand trial.

As for the resumption of Mitchell's trial, defense attorney Wendy Lewis said they were unsure how long the stay on the case would last. In the final moments of the proceedings on Thursday, before dismissing the jury for the day, Judge Kimball informed them that they may not be returning until next week.