SALT LAKE CITY—
A forensic psychiatrist who helped make the federal government's case that Brian David Mitchell is mentally competent to face trial in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart has recently completed a study examining the psychology of fundamentalists.Dr. Michael Welner, an associate professor of psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine and the chairman of The Forensic Panel, recently presented his findings at a meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Welner could not get into specifics about Mitchell because of the ongoing criminal proceedings. Mitchell is accused of abducting Elizabeth Smart from her bedroom back in 2002. She was found nine months later walking down a Sandy street in the company of the homeless street preacher and his wife, Wanda Barzee.
"I think Brian David Mitchell is a complicated person," Welner said in an interview Friday with Fox 13.
To understand Mitchell's motives, Dr. Welner also looked at other polygamous groups and their leadership dynamics. He said he reached a number of fascinating conclusions.
"In this case, the path of Brian David Mitchell and how it related to the decisions that he made is key to sorting out going forward," Welner said. "Because there are three possibilities and then more than one of the above: is it religion, psychosis or criminality or sexual deviancy?"
Welner said one cannot make generalizations about all fundamentalists. He said while there are some abusive homes, those raised in polygamous communities are often comfortable and develop excellent community dynamics. Obedience can bring about great industry, resilience and retention within a community, he said, but it can also lead to exploitation.
"The key is to look at their leader, look at his evolution and how he got there. That's important to me and continues to be important to me, about Brian David Mitchell," he said.
Mitchell said victims' stories are also important. He said child victims should also be listened to, calling Elizabeth Smart an inspiration to other victims who might otherwise be voiceless. Smart, he said, "has done a great service to victims by standing up and saying 'I will tell what my experience was, because if I am not a part of justice, I will not get justice.' "
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