Trial for Smart's kidnapper to begin

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The family of Elizabeth Smart, kidnapped in 2002, said they are anxious for closure as the trial of her kidnapper in Salt Lake City is ready to start.

The trial of Smart's alleged abductor, Brian David Mitchell, is scheduled to begin Monday in a federal courtroom, The Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City reported.

"We're anxious to see it over with," Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart, now 22, told the Salt Lake City Deseret News. "We have utmost confidence in what the prosecution has prepared for."

Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, Mitchell's wife, were charged in state court with five first-degree felonies, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary, and one second-degree felony count of attempted aggravated kidnapping.

Mitchell and Barzee were indicted by a grand jury in March 2008 on federal charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines for the purpose of sex -- charges for which Mitchell is being tried.

Barzee was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from the bedroom she shared with her younger sister June 5, 2002, and held captive for nine months until she was rescued March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home.