I understand that when Burke was asked the question, he didn't understand Hi-Tec to be a brand name, but he took it to mean "high technology." There is no proof Burke ever owned Hi-Tec hiking boots. I think that print is legitimate because it was so clear in the mold. ie: mold didn't have time to grow into it. I don't know about the other one---could have been there from taking the presents out, or before then.
Maybe you'd like to source that? Have you talked to Burke and he told you he was confused? Did you see a transcript of his testimony before the grand jury that led you to believe he was confused during his testimony? That would be fascinating, as it was a sealed jury hearing, but please, let us know if you've seen it and where. Thanks in advance.
Burke's age was 13 yrs. at the time of the Grand Jury hearings. I've been around thousands of kids under professional circumstances and at younger ages than 13 they certainly know all about brand names, can understand and respond to simple English, not to mention, express complex thoughts and ask smart questions.
So maybe you believe that Burke is mentally challenged and couldn't process information at age 13 about something as common as a popular, expensive brand of shoe he had owned and wore when he was younger. I could understand him not remembering, but to say he was confused when he made statements about owning Hi-Tec shoes implies you know more than he did.
I'd really be surprised if he wasn't at least of normal faculties: having played complex videogames, sports, and been a Boy Scout since before he was 10; with his father having been the CEO of a TECHNOLOGY company and Burke having had access to computers most of his life, no doubt; having been taught to fly by his father in their private plane, as well as taught to sail on their family boats; not to mention, having now graduated from a fine college.
Really, I can't believe at 13 Burke simply couldn't fathom the difference between a BRAND of shoe called Hi-Tec and a descriptive phrase containing two long common adjectives,
high and
tech. I honestly believe lawyers directing questions to Burke in such a high profile murder case investigated for three years by numerous agencies at that point, plus 12 grand jurors who also asked questions and had the power to order evidence collection and results, would think to make sure that Burke knew what they were asking of him.
Also, Fleet White's son owned a pair of Hi-Tecs and testified to that at the grand jury hearings as well--we have two reliable transcripts, both with credible statements to that effect. JAR also had owned a pair of Hi-Tec shoes, which even Lin Wood admitted to the media--THE BRAND, not a description.
Do you really think everyone involved at grand jury, working this case professionally and as grand jurors was so stupid no one could express the facts well enough to get to the bottom of what the "HI-TEC" brand meant with TWO 13 year olds when the stakes were so important?
I'm sorry, but I disagree with your conclusion that Burke didn't know the difference and therefore didn't tell the truth.