Jury Selection for Smart Trial Begins

The trial of Brian David Mitchell is scheduled to begin jury selection today.  Mitchell is accused of the kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, then 14, in the summer of 2002.  Her kidnapping and subsequent rescue nine months later were highly publicized.

The trial has been delayed due to lingering doubts about Mitchell's, 57, mental health and competency to stand trial.  If he is convicted he will face spending the rest of his life in prison.  Smart's father said about the trial, "It's certainly been a long time coming...We're very confident in the prosecution."

Elizabeth is currently serving as a full time missionary in Paris, France for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.