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SALT LAKE CITY -- Rebecca Woodridge, Brian Mitchell's step-daughter, has been seen throughout the trial. She spoke to reporters after the verdict was announced.
She says she doesn't condone what Mitchell did but that it is in her nature to forgive him of his actions. She was subject to his abuse as a child.
She says she became very emotional when the verdict was read. She says she doesn't understand how jurors didn't see him as mentally ill. She says she was hopeful Mitchell could get some mental help.
"I don't believe he knew. I think he knew what he was doing, but not in the mental sense that he could control what he was doing," she said.
Woodridge says she's sorry for what Elizabeth Smart went through and that she doesn't condone Mitchell's actions. She added that though it wasn't the verdict she was hoping for, she's happy the Smarts got what they wanted.
E-Mail: aforester@ksl.com
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