‘Heartwarming story’ promised by Garrido

PHILIP GARRIDO believes the world will view him differently once his full story becomes known.

“In the end, this is going to be a powerful, heart- warming story, one that you’re going to be really impressed by.”

He was speaking during a 10-minute telephone interview yesterday from jail with KCRA channel in California.

Garrido, 58, and his wife Nancy, 54, are being held in custody in California after the discovery that Jaycee Lee Dugard, who went missing at the age of 11, was alive and had been living in the Garridos’ backyard for 18 years.

He telephoned the station after they requested an interview with him, said he had “not talked with a lawyer yet”, but wanted to prepare the media for a story that would make “world news”.

Garrido’s responses to the questions were often rambling.

“I have no desire to hold back.” He repeatedly referred to a tranche of documents that he had left with the FBI in San Francisco – urging the media to read them.

“These are for you, the media, they have an investigation in them and powerful witnesses concerning my situation. What you will have in your hands will take [sic] world news immediately,” he said.

Garrido was asked to talk about the abduction but said he needed to talk to a lawyer.

“I’m so sorry. I’ve no desire to hold back these things... I don’t mean to disappoint you, but I have to do this in an orderly fashion,” he said.

Garrido admitted he was in a “very serious situation”, but again stressed the documents would be vital.

“Having those two girls – they slept in my arms every single night – from birth – I never kissed them, you have to take this a step at a time.

“They’re going to be part of the trial because this is going to be a major trial,” he said, adding that the law enforcement authorities were “really impressed” with the papers.

Garrido said the papers would “explain something that humans have not understood well”.

He said: “I tell you, here’s the story of what took place at this house and you’re going to be absolutely impressed.

“It’s a disgusting thing that took place with me from the beginning.

“But I turned my life completely around.”

Garrido became emotional only once, when asked if his tale was a “love story”.

“No, no. It’s a constructive story of turning a person’s life around.”

His voice faltering, he said: “Having those two girls – they slept in my arms every single night – from birth – I never kissed them, you have to take this a step at a time.”

Garrido then again referred to his trial, saying: “You’re going to be in a state of shock when you see how many hundreds of thousands of people are going to be coming out of the woodwork to start testifying about something.”

He was unclear on the nature of the testimony, but did say: “The federal government will end up being involved.

“Just read the documents.”