There is a contrast between the behavior of Father Rol Hoverstock and Reverend Dr. Frank Harrington.
Regardless of Jeff Shapiros observations, Steve Thomas observations seem to point more toward the possibility that there may have been a confession to the pastor in Atlanta as opposed to Rol, unless Rol simply had the ability to not arouse suspicion with the BPD.
The Reverend Rol Hoverstock told police about a phone call made that morning to Patsys parents, Nedra and Don Paugh, in Atlanta. Mrs. Paugh, he said, mentioned that Linda Hoffmann-Pugh had commented about how beautiful JonBenét was and expressed the fear that someone might kidnap her. The housekeepers name had come up several times in a short period, and police had already been told she had a key. She became the first suspect, and police made plans to contact her immediately.
JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, Steve Thomas, page 26
Father Rol Hoverstock came by the police department to give hair and handwriting sampleswe were even checking out the family ministerand we asked his opinion about Psalms 35 and 36, without revealing why. That started him thinking about that book of the Bible, and when Detective Gosage and I met him later in the day at his home, Father Rol suggested that we take a look at Psalm 118. He thought it might be the origin of the $118,000 ransom figure. And in his sonorous voice, he read aloud one of the verses, which contained the phrase bind the sacrifice with cords.
JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, Steve Thomas, pages 68-69
Father Rol was trusted by both sides. Perhaps something might come of this. The next day I told him that the police department was willing, and all the Ramseys had to do was choose a time. If they agree, well be out there on the next thing smoking, I said.
I did not mention that Commander Beckner had asked If it could wait fourteen days so we could get a better airfare.
A week later Father Rol showed up at our headquarters. Beckner joined us in a conference room, and I asked, Any good news?
Rol pursed his lips and shook his head. Team Ramsey lawyer Bryan Morgan had learned of the proposal and insisted on being at any meeting between the Ramseys and the Boulder cops. The pastor said he was reamed by the lawyer for becoming involved and had become so annoyed with the whole process, he vented his anger on all of us. Enough of the ********, Rol said.
But instead of an interview, all he could now offer was a meeting over coffee in the Ramseys living room. Thats unacceptable, I said. We werent about to fly to Georgia for a coffee klatch with a lawyer. Were back to square one.
JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, Steve Thomas, pages 284-285
Trujillo and I went over to the Peachtree Presbyterian Church to talk with the Reverend Dr. Frank Harrington the next morning. He knew the family well, had married John and Patsy, buried Beth, baptized JonBenét, and had just buried her, too. If anyone could provide us with some insight, it should be the Reverend Harrington.
The minister met us with a frosty demeanor and a curt, Im not sure I want to talk to you. I will tell you I will share no privileged information.
That set me thinking about the rules of privilege, in which information can legally be kept in confidence, such as between doctor and patient or lawyer and client. Also privileged would be a confession by a parishioner to a clergyman. Is there privileged information? I asked.
I wont answer that, Harrington said. Do I need an attorney?
Were not here as adversaries, and youre not a suspect, I said, hoping to smooth things out. But we had to wait around for ten minutes until both a witness and a lawyer arrived, and our brief exchange yielded little information.
Why would a man of God reach for a lawyer rather than voluntarily give police everything he could to try to solve the terrible murder of a child, particularly if he wasnt violating the sanctity of confession? But Harrington wasnt alone in that peculiar behavior. I would repeatedly run into that same wall of silence, and more lawyers than I can remember, in the coming months. I wanted to scream at these people, Dont you even care?
JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, Steve Thomas, pages 98-99
cynic,
He might have been told something, or knew other information from prior contact, and had probably been told by Team Ramsey to make sure he had a lawyer present at any interview.Why would a man of God reach for a lawyer rather than voluntarily give police everything he could to try to solve the terrible murder of a child, particularly if he wasnt violating the sanctity of confession?
.