Declaring Brian David Mitchell's crimes against Elizabeth Smart "unusually heinous and degrading," U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball's sentenced the man who kidnapped, raped and tortured her for nine months in 2002 to a life in federal prison. Mitchell had never spoken a word in court, "except to sing a string of hymns, beginning with 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,'" the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

But Smart was given the opportunity to, once and for all, confront him with the unthinkable crime he'd committed against her.

"I don't have very much to say to you," she told the unresponsive defendant.

"I know exactly what you did," she said. "I know that you know what you did was wrong. You did it with a full knowledge. I also want you to know that I have a wonderful life now, that no matter what you do, it will not affect me again.

"You took away nine months of my life that can never be returned. But in this life or next, you will have to be held responsible for those actions, and I hope you are ready for when that time comes."

Talking to reporters afterwards, a beaming Smart said she didn't care that Mitchell wouldn't look her in the eyes or offer an apology.

"I heard enough during those nine months, and I never have to hear anything again."

[Photo via AP]