This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault that will likely

be disturbing for some listeners.

Listener discretion is advised.

Four years ago, I drove up to the smart family home in Stockton to interview Stan and Denise

Smart for the first time.

Stan and siblings, Matt and Lindsay, didn't know who I was yet and didn't participate

in the original run of episodes.

This summer, I finally sat down with all four of them, this time in my living room,

to discuss their thoughts and feelings about how the last 27 years have played out and

how they're dealing with a resolution that's still something short of closure.

This is my conversation with the smart family.

I'll just talk about the trial a little bit.

What was the hardest part of the trial for each of you?

It was interesting.

We knew very little my wife and I, and I believe I'm correct in this, regarding criminal justice.

Criminal justice is justice for the criminal and regarding their civil rights that you

look out for and not for the deceased person or daughter.

The defense in hand, when I took the stand, I was accused of being the predator of being

threatening because I'm tall when I went out to visit and try to dialogue with him.

Then also, since I put out posters regarding our missing daughter, the only thing is all

of these things were a very natural reaction from a father that has a missing daughter.

There was nothing unusual there, but they tried to turn the tables and say, I was responsible

...