Defense attorneys so far have called 10 witnesses over two days , including Mitchell 's parents , two of his sisters and several friends . Brian David Mitchell was a troubled child who grew distant from family , his father said . His sister says he gave up his children but blocked his family from adopting them . His attorney describes Mitchell 's life as mirroring his father 's in many ways . Mitchell could face life in prison if convicted in Elizabeth Smart 's kidnapping .
Brian David Mitchell was a troubled child who grew distant from family , his father said . His sister says he gave up his children but blocked his family from adopting them . His attorney describes Mitchell 's life as mirroring his father 's in many ways . Mitchell could face life in prison if convicted in Elizabeth Smart 's kidnapping .