Elizabeth Smart’s story was recently unveiled in a new Lifetime movie released in November.
But plenty of significant events occurred where the movie leaves off.
The new film, “I Am Elizabeth Smart,” debuted on Nov. 18, and a two-part documentary on Smart and her case aired on Lifetime on Nov. 12 and 13 as well, according to the Associated Press.
Smart said she appreciates the Lifetime movie that retells her story.
“I will say that it is the best worst movie I’ve ever seen. I mean, I think it’s so well done. I think it was accurate,” Smart said in August 2017. “I’m very proud of it, but at the same time, part of me thinks I’ll be happy if I never have to watch it again."
Smart was kidnapped when she was 14 years old in 2002. Nine months later, she was rescued. Her captor, Brian David Mitchell, was sentenced to life in prison.
We’ve collected our reporting on the court case to help you learn more about what happened after the film’s end.
"Elizabeth Smart describes rapes, sex abuse, imprisonment, threats": Smart spent two hours on the stand on Nov. 8, 2010, describing events of her first week while in captivity. The Deseret News has a line-by-line account of her testimony, which you can read here.
Elizabeth Smart arrives at Federal Court for day 15 of the Brian David Mitchell Trial in Salt Lake. Monday, Dec. 6, 2010. Photo by Scott G Winterton Deseret News
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
"Elizabeth Smart: Mitchell threatened to kill me if I tried to escape or didn't obey him": Smart and her younger sister, Mary Katherine Smart, took the stand in the federal court case on Nov. 8, 2010. Elizabeth said that Mitchell threatened to kill her if she tried to escape or if she didn’t obey him. The Deseret News gathered information from the trial and put together this line-by-line account.
"Burden is on Mitchell’s defense to prove insanity": Law experts spoke to the Deseret News on Nov. 8, 2010, saying that the defense must prove whether or not Mitchell knew if what he was doing was wrong.
"First day of testimony: Elizabeth Smart recounts being raped, threatened almost daily": Smart took the witness stand on Nov. 8, 2010, the first day of the trial, to testify in the court case. She explained how she was forced to drink alcohol several times a week. She described her rape. The Deseret News reported on her account from the stand, as well as reactions from the witnesses.
"Elizabeth Smart describes 'nine months of hell' in captivity with Brian David Mitchell": Smart said on Nov. 8, 2010, that she was worried about telling police who she was after they rescued her. "I was very scared. I knew the threats that I had been told for nine months. I knew what they were and I was scared. I didn't know why I was being handcuffed. I thought maybe I had done something wrong, that I was guilty. And at the same time I thought, 'This is it, this is it. I'm done. This is it. Like, this is over,'" she testified, according to the Deseret News.
"Emotional Wanda Barzee says Brian David Mitchell used family, religion, music to manipulate her": Wanda Barzee, the estranged wife of Mitchell, said on Nov. 19, 2010, that Mitchell manipulated her by using family, religion and music. She also said her husband had mental health problems. Read more about her account in the Deseret News.
Elizabeth Smart with her parents Ed and Lois exit the federal court after proceedings ended on monday. The trial for Brian David Mitchell starts again at the Federal Court house in Salt Lake City. Monday, Nov. 8, 2010. Photo by Scott G Winerton Deseret News.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
"Parents describe struggles during Brian David Mitchell's childhood": Several witnesses took the stand on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2010, to describe more about Mitchell. Witnesses included his parents, Shirl and Irene Mitchell, and two of Mitchell’s sisters, who all found it difficult to see Brain David Mitchell on trial. Read about their statements in the Deseret News.
"Elizabeth Smart storms out of court after witness says Mitchell wanted her to get pregnant": Smart angrily stormed out of the courtroom on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, when a witness testified that Smart had a name picked out for a baby if Mitchell were to make her pregnant during her kidnapping, according to the Deseret News. The witness said Mitchell talked to Smart about having babies. Read that account at the Deseret News.
Elizabeth Smart with her parents Ed and Lois exit the federal court after proceedings ended on monday. The trial for Brian David Mitchell starts again at the Federal Court house in Salt Lake City. Monday, Nov. 8, 2010. Photo by Scott G Winerton Deseret News.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
"Jury has spoken: Brian David Mitchell guilty of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart": On Dec. 10, 2010, A jury found Mitchell guilty of kidnapping and taking Smart across state lines for illegal sexual activity. Read more about the jury’s decision at the Deseret News.
"Jurors say testimony about Elizabeth Smart 'tore at our guts'": Nine men and five women reacted to the court case on Dec. 10, 2010, saying that much of what they heard "tore at our guts," according to the Deseret News.
"Elizabeth Smart, family react to guilty verdict for kidnapper Brian David Mitchell": The Smart family reacted on Dec. 10, 2010, when Mitchell was found guilty. Here’s what they said about the trial to the Deseret News.
"Mitchell sentenced to life behind bars for kidnapping Elizabeth Smart": On May 24, 2011, Mitchell was sentenced to life in federal prison. "Today is the ending of a very long chapter and the beginning of a very beautiful chapter for me," Smart said following the sentencing. "I am so thrilled with the results that came out today, the life sentence. I couldn't be happier." Read more at the Deseret News.
More coverage:
- Timeline: The Deseret News published a timeline in 2017 that details the biggest moments from the kidnapping and court case.
- Movie announcement: Lifetime announced in March 2017 that it will release a movie based on Smart’s story.
- Q&A: The Deseret News spoke with Smart about the new movie. She said it’s “the best movie I never want to see.” Smart said she had reservations for a long time about putting together a film, but changed her mind for this movie.
- BYU talk: Smart spoke at BYU on Oct. 20, sharing her story of sexual abuse in light of all the sexual allegations popping up across the country and in Hollywood.
Elizabeth Smart speaks during a panel discussion titled “Smart Talks: I’ve Never Told Anyone” at Brigham Young University in Provo on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017.
Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
- GoFundMe: A GoFundMe account looks to support the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. Organized by Dede Lovejoy, who plays Wanda Barzee in the new film, the GoFundMe plans to donate all funds to Smart’s foundation, which funds talks across the country on sexual assault.
- Book: In 2013, Smart wrote a book called “My Story” that offers her account of what happened during her time with Mitchell.
- Watch now: Missed the Lifetime film? You can watch "I Am Elizabeth Smart" on Amazon Video for $4.99.