Accomplice in Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart Gets 15 Years in Prison

The woman who assisted her husband in keeping then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart kidnapped for a duration of nine months in 2002, 64-year-old Wanda Eileen Barzee, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Tuesday.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Barzee has also agreed to testify against her husband, Brian David Mitchell. Smart was not in attendance at today's court proceedings for the sentencing of Barzee, who pled guilty to charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor.

The sentencing of Barzee on Tuesday was approximately seven years in the making since she had spent numerous years being evaluated in a mental institution in order to determine whether or not she was well enough psychologically to stand trial. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that attorneys for Barzee's husband, Mitchell, are claiming that their client is not psychologically competent enough to stand trial for the severe charges that have been made against him.

Smart revealed haunting details of Mitchell and Barzee's treatment of her during the nine months that she was held captive during testimony that she provided in October. She mentioned that the couple had kept her chained up and that Mitchell raped her on several occasions.

Despite the fact that Elizabeth Smart was not present at Tuesday's proceedings, Barzee said in federal court, "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth, for all the pain and suffering I caused you and your family. It is my hope you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me."