Detective Jon Richey took the stand to testify that in August 2002, a good Samaritan claimed that Smart might be at a downtown Salt Lake City library. According to the tipster, two young women, who were in the company of an odd-looking bearded man, were wearing burqa-style head coverings. The tipster claimed that the younger of the two women had eyes that were remarkably similar to SmartÂ’s (the eyes were the only visible part of the young girlÂ’s veiled face).

Upon questioning the trio, Detective Richey asked the man (who we now know to be Mitchell) if he could look under the young girl’s burqa. Mitchell vigorously claimed that to expose the girl’s face would violate their religious beliefs. No matter how many times Richey asked to see the girl’s face, Mitchell stood fast, claiming that there would be “serious religious consequences” should the girl’s face be exposed to anyone but her husband. He also told the detective that their religion forbids women from speaking in public.

Detective Richey admitted that he became concerned about violating the trio’s “civil rights,” so he backed down. Mitchell, his wife and accomplice Wanda Barzee, and Smart were allowed to go on their way, and Elizabeth Smart would be forced to endure seven more months of rape, torture, and physical and mental abuse.