The head bash is associated with the sexual assault in this way- if she screamed during the assault, she may have been bashed on the head to shut her up. The flashlight, not originally intended to be a murder weapon, was being held for its usual purpose- to illuminate a dark room. sexual abuse is a "secret" game which usually takes place in the dark, and it really wasn't that late. Lights on in rooms which have no drapes drawn (like the kitchen window- it only had a valance) make the people inside very visible to neighbors who happen to be up and about.
When she screamed, the flashlight became an instant bludgeon- wielded suddenly and unexpectedly and before they knew it- she went down, instantly unconscious, possible going into seizures and/or shock.
Excellent points.
Just to show I'm not a slave to Wecht's theory, I had a though regarding the head-blow coming first angle. And it was prompted me think quite seriously if that is what happened.
It goes like this:
1. JonBenet soils herself and Patsy has to go clean her up. She takes the flashlight to go get her changed etc. An altercation takes place. Patsy, in a split moment of rage hits JonBenet. JonBenet dies (or appears dead to Patsy).
2. Patsy panics. Does she call the police? What will she say? If the police come will she be arrested for murder? Patsy gets John for help. John convinces Patsy not to call the police -- if she does they could all be ruined ad she'll go to prison.
3. It's known that there was both acute and chronic sexual trauma in the genital region. Thus, that night and prior JonBenet was being molested. Assume it was the father. John, on seeing his daughter dead knows that if the police come and do an autopsy, the truth will come out. That will be disastrous for him -- a good 'family' man being caught doing such filth. That's what his overriding motive was for not calling the police. Patsy however was unaware of such abuse and felt that calling the police would implicate her solely. John somewhat encouraged that feeling in her. Patsy is none the wise. She thinks he's merely acting to help her.
4. They conspire to stage a crime to make it look like an evil intruder did all this horrible stuff. It explains their involvement. Assume in this instance that the garrotte was made for staging and it was also suggested by John to do this. It served thepurposes of giving a visible reason as to why/what the intruder did what they did since the headwound wasn't visible. They needed something shocking and 'external'. *if the autopsy came back at a later date and said she had being sexually abused, John would deny, deny, deny.But he did his best to remove any traces of his actions hence the new underwear and cleaning down etc.*
5. Patsy write the ransom note. Makes the police call. She is unaware of JonBenet's sexual abuse. She thinks only in terms of 'she killed her' and her life will be ruined if the truth comes out. John is aware of the full story. Each are trying to preserve their 'life' in their own way. John's reasons are more sinsiter.
6. This theory would also explain the pineapple and material found in JonBenet's bed: it was John who acted inappropriately to her that evening when putting her to bed hence the 'acute' injuries. Later on, just after midnight, after the commotion with Patsy/JonBenet, John is terrified his secret will come out when his daughter is accidentally killed by his wife. The pineapple could have been innocent -- JonBenet got it herself or was fed it. It could be much more -- it was her favourite food and perhaps a bribe to let stuff happen.
This scenario popped into my head.It does have flaws. One thing that is confusing to many RDI theorists is that forensic material from both parents was found in the crime scene in such a way to perhaps insinuate that both were involved, at the every least, with the cover up. The scenario above seemed to give it a valid explanation as to how both parents could be involved.
Just a thought/scenario I thought I'd share.