Accused in Smart kidnapping pleads not guilty

A homeless man and self-described prophet pleaded not guilty Thursday to kidnapping and other charges in the abduction of Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart.

The trial for Brian Mitchell, 50, has been scheduled for February next year.

Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, 58, are charged with kidnapping Smart from her bedroom at knifepoint in June 2002. The girl was allegedly taken into the Utah foothills, where she was sexually assaulted and kept as Mitchell's second wife.

Smart, then 14, was found wandering with the couple nine months later in Salt Lake City.

• FROM MAR. 13, 2003: Utah teen missing 9 months found alive

Mitchell an excommunicated Mormon who describes himself as a prophet and his wife have been held in custody since March 2003.

They face charges of kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary.

On Tuesday, a court found Mitchell competent to stand trial, after his lawyers opted not to contest the issue because a hearing would generate publicity that could taint a jury pool.

• FROM AUG. 31, 2004: Smart's alleged kidnapper judged competent to stand trial

Mitchell has allegedly said that God ordered him to abduct Smart, court documents said.