The evidence against Jaycee Lee Dugard's alleged kidnapper and rapist is overwhelming, the prosecutor said Thursday, but the case against Phillip Garrido's wife may show she acted under his control.
The pronouncement by El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson came during another court hearing for the Garridos, who are inching toward trial on charges of kidnapping 11-year-old Jaycee in 1991.
"This is a case that we can prove without any difficulty as to Mr. Garrido," Pierson said, adding that the mere existence of Dugard's two daughters — allegedly the product of Garrido's raping of Dugard while she was held — "is incriminating as to Mr. Garrido."
But the case against Nancy Garrido may be more complex, he signaled, telling the judge that there is evidence that Nancy Garrido might have been under her husband's control.
"We believe it does exist," Pierson said during a 50-minute hearing in Placerville.
Phillip Garrido's defense attorney later brushed aside Pierson's assessment of the case.
"Well, that's his take on the evidence," Susan Gellman said outside of court.
And Nancy Garrido's attorney, Stephen Tapson, made it clear that he will try to show she was under Garrido's influence.
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