By JEANE MacINTOSH
With AP
Pedophile street preacher Brian David Mitchell's hymn-singing crazy act didn't play with a Utah jury, which yesterday convicted him in the 2002 kidnapping and repeated rape of Elizabeth Smart.
The 12-member federal panel rejected defense claims that Mitchell, 57, was insane. Instead, it unanimously found him guilty of kidnapping and taking a minor across state lines for sex.
The verdict -- which came after just five hours of deliberation -- brought a quick smile from Smart, 23, as it was read.
"Today is a wonderful day," the "thrilled" and glowing Smart said.
She had testified that Mitchell's diabolical scheme was fueled by sex, drugs and alcohol -- and not by a religious message from God, as he claimed.
In court yesterday, Mitchell, sporting long hair and a wild, unruly beard, sat with his eyes closed, singing a religious hymn.
Mitchell faces possible life in prison when he is sentenced May 25.
Smart was 14 when Mitchell took her at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City bedroom in June 2002.
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