Man found guilty of kidnapping girl

Associated Press WriterOMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A jury convicted a man Wednesday of kidnapping a teenage girl, rejecting his claim that she voluntarily accompanied him on a six-day, 900-mile odyssey.

Anthony Steven Wright, 30, was charged with kidnapping 17-year-old Anne Sluti from outside a shopping mall near her home in Kearney in April 2001. Sluti, a high school honor student, was released as Wright surrendered six days later in Montana.

After deliberating for less than two hours, the jury also found Wright guilty of using a firearm to commit a violent crime.

Jurors said they also were convinced that Wright sexually assaulted Sluti. While not charged with sexual assault, the jury's findings could prompt the judge to order the maximum prison term for Wright -- which would be life in prison -- when he is sentenced Sept. 13.

"I knew all along he was guilty," said Don Sluti, Anne's father. "I'm satisfied this man will be taken off the streets and not be able to do this to anyone else's child."

Elaine Sluti said her daughter, who recently graduated from high school, will not be able to forget the experience but is looking forward to a normal life.

"Anne has big plans for her future, so that is where we are looking," she said at a news conference.

Shortly before the jury reached its decision, Wright waived his right to be present.

Defense attorney Alan Stoler said during closing arguments on Tuesday that Sluti voluntarily traveled with Wright. He said she did not ask for help or escape when she had the opportunity.

But prosecutor Mike Norris told jurors that Sluti was never far from Wright and had no chance at escape. When she finally had a free moment at a cabin in Montana, Norris said, she called 911.

"The only time she was not one punch away, she sees her opportunity and grabs it," he said.

He also said she left a trail of evidence, including handwritten message and pieces of clothing with her and Wright's DNA.

"These aren't the acts of someone who was voluntarily traveling through the mountains on a pleasure trip," Everett said. "This was someone looking for help."

The defense attorney had asked the jury to rely on the evidence, and not the dramatic displays by Sluti and Wright.

Sluti, now 18, wept during her testimony. Wright, who accused his attorneys of botching his case, was removed from the courtroom twice by federal marshals, first on June 11 after yelling profanities at the judge and jury, and then again Tuesday for striking his attorney.