JB's picture in the laundry room

[singularity]

Fair points Tortoise but these aren't even films she'd have to watch with John(or vice versa). They are blockbusters known by everyone and even if they didn't own them on VHS, they could either rent them at the local video store or watch them on TV. The only film comparable to this case that has been mentioned that was recently in the theaters at the time was Ransom.

Maybe Patsy had the hots for Keanu Reeves(like most women at the time) and liked watching Speed. What's that movie's most famous line? Do not attempt to grow a brain, John. In 96 this film would have been playing on movie channels on a frequent basis. Dirty Harry had been playing on TV for what, 20 years at that point? Same with Ruthless People.

Some people(not you of course) think the writer of the note had to obsess over various movies to cram them into that note. Not true. They simply had to have watched them at some point and in the case of Speed, I can easily picture Patsy loving that line since it uses the name John and dollars to donuts it wasn't the first time she had directed it at him. It was probably a line used in many arguments.

I started out this case looking in depth at the ransom note, it was my first point of interest,

Exact opposite for me. For many years I considered the note a bullpoop red herring that got way too much attention. Many years later I decided to focus more on that note and realized it was Patsy and handwring matches have nothing to do with it. Take away the brief kidnapping references, the pop culture movie lines, its nothing but a hate fueled rant from one spouse to another. A domestic dispute on paper containing a power play, mocking, and as I've said before, its bordering on a twisted stand up comedy routine. IDIs like to say the ransom note proves there was an intruder. Quite the opposite. It proves that the two adults in the house were not fond of each other and the writer of the note(Patsy) is delivering her dish best served cold.

because there is a place in the note where her writing style changes. It's quite subtle but it's there, and I think it was after a break away from the writing. Patsy fast-forwarding through a movie isn't something I'm at all sure about,

I think another domestic dispute broke out while she was writing the note... and/or maybe right afterwards. Even though Patsy thinks he needs to grow a brain, John's not a fool. He can see what she's doing to him in that note. She's emasculating him and stripping his power away. Alpha male CEOs aren't too fond of this....

unless John was dictating it to her,

I would take more seriously Pee Wee Herman as the writer of the note before I would even remotely consider John. The contents of the note make so sense coming from John. Its too personal.

I'd love to read your theory sometime, especially since its very detailed. It would be very difficult to try and account for the majority of evidence and all the quirky events leading up to her murder.

 

[Tortoise]

I'd love to read your theory sometime, especially since its very detailed. It would be very difficult to try and account for the majority of evidence and all the quirky events leading up to her murder.

I'm being serious when I say I'm thinking of keeping it under wraps and sending it off to the Boulder Police, in the hope that it will lead to the investigation becoming active again and going to trial. If I share it here it might compromise those chances. I know some, or even most, if not everyone here may pooh-pooh this and think how could someone new come to this case and see what others haven't already seen - the evidence has been pored over for 20 years by experts, investigators and the FBI. Maybe it's the saturation or biases that has led to blindness. I can't actually believe how it all stacks up once you make sense of the ransom note. That little novelette that seems on the surface to be nonsensical and dumb.

 

[jerkface]

Now I read seven in suitcase. So much wrong info case will never be solved. Was she molested or not? No real answers.

 

[Miz Adventure]

I started out this case looking in depth at the ransom note, it was my first point of interest, and I thought Patsy might have run quickly through a movie to get lines before I discovered there were films left scattered on the floor, because there is a place in the note where her writing style changes. It's quite subtle but it's there, and I think it was after a break away from the writing. Patsy fast-forwarding through a movie isn't something I'm at all sure about, but I thought if she hadn't actually seen it, it would make sense that she did watch it, unless John was dictating it to her, and I don't think he did. I think the note was 100% Patsy.

JBR was killed around midnight on the 25th/26th. Patsy made the 911 call at 5.30am.

The couple must have been in panic during those few hours, which would have flown by as they tried to figure out what to do.

The shock of finding JBR dead - garrotted - would have paralysed most parents from doing anything until they recovered some composure. They would have had to have discovered her body when she had been dead for a long while and she was beyond saving, so they knew there would be no point in calling the paramedics.

I honestly cannot see PR and JR sitting down to watch movies, fast forwarding them, in the hope that there might be some words they could use in their 'ransom note'. Those words were already in their minds.

--------------------------------------------------------------

From the movie "Dirty Harry" Movie Lines:

'If we catch you talking to a stray dog,
she dies'
'The delivery will be very exhausting so I advise you to be well rested.'
'If I even think you're being followed,
the girl dies'
'It sounds like you had a good rest. You'll need it.'

On November 29, a month before JonBenet's death, the movie 'Dirty Harry' had aired on TBS in Boulder.

 

[Userid]

Yes, I have to agree -- I don't see them sitting down and watching a movie while writing the ransom note that night.

I have a hard time finding a motive to steal movie lines and insert them into this ransom note, particularly if the R's wrote it. I feel that PR did write the note, but again, why do this? Was it simply because she (they) couldn't think of anything else to say? Was it to point to a particular individual whom authorities would connect to these particular movies?

But what's funny is, I also have a hard time finding a motive to steal these lines if an intruder did write it. Again, what would be the point? I was trying to think of similarities between Speed and Dirty Harry. I haven't seen Dirty Harry in ages so I can't remember it, but from reading the story line, it seems like both have a hi-jacked bus involved in the plots (in addition to the obvious theme of kidnapping).

So it boils down to this: if an IDI, what was he trying to convey with these 2 particular movies? And if the R's did it (which I believe), why even chose to quote from any movies at all?

 

[Tortoise]

Yes, I have to agree -- I don't see them sitting down and watching a movie while writing the ransom note that night.

I have a hard time finding a motive to steal movie lines and insert them into this ransom note, particularly if the R's wrote it. I feel that PR did write the note, but again, why do this? Was it simply because she (they) couldn't think of anything else to say? Was it to point to a particular individual whom authorities would connect to these particular movies?

But what's funny is, I also have a hard time finding a motive to steal these lines if an intruder did write it. Again, what would be the point? I was trying to think of similarities between Speed and Dirty Harry. I haven't seen Dirty Harry in ages so I can't remember it, but from reading the story line, it seems like both have a hi-jacked bus involved in the plots (in addition to the obvious theme of kidnapping).

So it boils down to this: if an IDI, what was he trying to convey with these 2 particular movies? And if the R's did it (which I believe), why even chose to quote from any movies at all?

I think using movie quotes brings an anonymity to the note, so the writer thinks it's harder to determine who wrote it, plus it means nothing important is left out, it's like a prompt to say everything that needs saying.

 

[Miz Adventure]

Was it simply because she (they) couldn't think of anything else to say?

So it boils down to this: if an IDI, what was he trying to convey with these 2 particular movies? And if the R's did it (which I believe), why even chose to quote from any movies at all?

PR, with her sheltered life, probably thought it was the kind of thing that a kidnapper would say - the kind of note a hardened criminal would write. How wrong she was!

She couldn't help her rambling style spilling over into it. Her melodramatic turn of phrase. The margins and indentations were (apparently) how she used to write her letters.

I don't know how JR kept an impassive face (seen on his Deposition videos) when confronted with the ransom note and the other examples of his wife's writing - on greetings cards etc. - they were almost identical! Yet he sat there calmly saying he had no idea who wrote them.

The couple state that Patsy did not have 'sloppy' handwriting. They use that 'sloppy' word a great deal - even BR said it in his interview with Dr. Phil.

 

[Userid]

I think using movie quotes brings an anonymity to the note, so the writer thinks it's harder to determine who wrote it, plus it means nothing important is left out, it's like a prompt to say everything that needs saying.

I would agree, had the lines actually contained "something important" in them, but the lines themselves are simply filler, with really the sole reason being to simply prolong the note. "Don't grow a brain, John.." etc. Honestly, there is zero reason why they would "need" to be included, no matter who wrote the note -- particularly the last 5 sentences of the note. The one line that is somewhat important is the "Use that good ole Southern charm of yours" because that indicates that whoever wrote the note knew the family well enough to know that the R's had lived in Atlanta (albeit, neither were actually "from" the south).

I guess you could say that the lines were included to inflect a more "menacing" tone perhaps.

 

[Tortoise]

I would agree, had the lines actually contained "something important" in them, but the lines themselves are simply filler, with really the sole reason being to simply prolong the note. "Don't grow a brain, John.." etc. Honestly, there is zero reason why they would "need" to be included, no matter who wrote the note -- particularly the last 5 sentences of the note. The one line that is somewhat important is the "Use that good ole Southern charm of yours" because that indicates that whoever wrote the note knew the family well enough to know that the R's had lived in Atlanta (albeit, neither were actually "from" the south).

I guess you could say that the lines were included to inflect a more "menacing" tone perhaps.

There was another movie that came out in 1986, that I think ideas were taken from - Ruthless People.

In it, the first thing the caller says is "Mr Stone, Listen very carefully." Note says 'Mr Ramsey, Listen carefully.'

While other lines are not copied word for word, he talks about killing at the slightest provocation, tells him exactly what type of briefcase to use, to place unmarked 100 $ bills in it, says what time he will call with further instructions, he will be watched and if he notifies anyone his wife will be killed. He also uses the words "if you deviate from our instructions" exactly as in the note.

 

[Tortoise]

Userid, I thought Patsy was from the south?

 

[Userid]

There was another movie that came out in 1986, that I think ideas were taken from - Ruthless People.

In it, the first thing the caller says is "Mr Stone, Listen very carefully." Note says 'Mr Ramsey, Listen carefully.'

While other lines are not copied word for word, he talks about killing at the slightest provocation, tells him exactly what type of briefcase to use, to place unmarked 100 $ bills in it, says what time he will call with further instructions, he will be watched and if he notifies anyone his wife will be killed. He also uses the words "if you deviate from our instructions" exactly as in the note.

You may have seen this already, but on the left side, it pretty much lists all of the movies that could have been referenced (inculding Ruthless People).

The one movie I believe has the most striking similarities is "In the Nick of Time," and according to candyrose, it was on that very night: http://www.acandyrose.com/crimescene-ransomnote.htm

 

[Userid]

Userid, I thought Patsy was from the south?

I could have sworn I read she was born somewhere else, but I just looked it up and I think you're right, considering Wikipedia has her born in Virginia.

JR was born in Michigan, and has no southern accent whatsoever, so it's still an odd part of the ransom note.

 

[Tortoise]

You may have seen this already, but on the left side, it pretty much lists all of the movies that could have been referenced (inculding Ruthless People).

The one movie I believe has the most striking similarities is "In the Nick of Time," and according to candyrose, it was on that very night: http://www.acandyrose.com/crimescene-ransomnote.htm

Thank you. That is chilling, it was a 6 year old girl, kidnapped by a political faction.

 

[UKGuy]

Thank you. That is chilling, it was a 6 year old girl, kidnapped by a political faction.

Tortoise,
It looks like Patsy was the driving force behind the Intruder scenario. She wrote the ransom note and covered for BR over the size-12's, long johns, and pineapple.

JR simply pottered about in the basement noting intruder red flags and denying any family links to the forensic evidence.

.

 

[DrollForeignFaction]

I agree with userid, I always interpreted the movie quotes as menacing filler from Patsy. She's trying to sound tough and subconsciously perhaps some movie lines get in there. Lord knows her own "menacing" lines fall short of being intimidating. "The two GENTLEMEN watching OVER your daughter do (^not) particularly like you." It's almost hilarious how dumb that is. She definitely needed assistance! The ransom call from Ruthless People is so eerily similar to the note I'd be shocked if she never saw it. The way I see it, Patsy was criminally unsophisticated and racking her brain for anything that sounded believeablely kidnapper-ish. Her only source was film and literature.

Other things that support the idea that Patsy was digging for movie lines in her subconscious imo:
- the basement was full of movie posters, so we know the family watched a lot of movies.
- and Patsy watched tons of movies when she was bedridden during chemo.
- in one of the Christmas letters (95?) she quotes The Shining: "All work and no play makes John a dull boy." So clearly this isn't the only time she's used a famous movie quote referencing John's name in her writing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Miz Adventure]

"Don't try to grow a brain, John'' - echoes a line spoken by actor Dennis Hopper in the movie ``Speed.''

http://www.corpus-delicti.com/ressler_jbr.html

 

[singularity]

Yes, I have to agree -- I don't see them sitting down and watching a movie while writing the ransom note that night.

I have a hard time finding a motive to steal movie lines and insert them into this ransom note, particularly if the R's wrote it. I feel that PR did write the note, but again, why do this? Was it simply because she (they) couldn't think of anything else to say? Was it to point to a particular individual whom authorities would connect to these particular movies?

But what's funny is, I also have a hard time finding a motive to steal these lines if an intruder did write it. Again, what would be the point? I was trying to think of similarities between Speed and Dirty Harry. I haven't seen Dirty Harry in ages so I can't remember it, but from reading the story line, it seems like both have a hi-jacked bus involved in the plots (in addition to the obvious theme of kidnapping).

So it boils down to this: if an IDI, what was he trying to convey with these 2 particular movies? And if the R's did it (which I believe), why even chose to quote from any movies at all?

Great observation but like Tortoise said, the movie lines help create anonymity to the scene.

What's left when you strip away all the movie lines?

I'm amazed she was even able to write such a letter in the midst of all that chaos. The rage with a side order of mocking, revenge, a sliver of hope, etc. shows she is an incredibly unstable, dangerous person behind closed doors and with her mask off.

Userid.....

The one line that is somewhat important is the "Use that good ole Southern charm of yours" because that indicates that whoever wrote the note knew the family well enough to know that the R's had lived in Atlanta (albeit, neither were actually "from" the south).

There are a couple areas of the note that are key IMO and Patsy should've been taken to BPD or FBI the moment the note was read by LE.

You stand a 99% chance of killing your daughter if you try to out smart [sic] us. Follow our instructions and you stand a 100% chance of getting her back.

This is awful. Allowing a 1% chance window of saving Jonbenet when at least the writer of the note(Patsy) knows she is already dead is extremely cruel and she's rubbing John's face in it.

I've said this before but Patsy should've been strip searched that morning. Not for weapons but to see if she had any bruising anywhere on her body due to a domestic dispute getting violent. Strip search John as well. Snowball's chance in hell these two didn't have a confrontation either before, during, or after this note was written. We just don't know if it was physical. A strip search would've answered this question.

Don't try to grow a brain John. You are not the only fat cat around so don't think that killing will be difficult. Don't underestimate us John. Use that good southern common sense of yours. It is up to you now John!

She's mocking him, being sarcastic, and also placing the ball in his court with that last sentence even though she herself knows he is powerless....at least as far as saving their child's life.

This is a domestic dispute on paper and everything that happened leading up to the writing of this note was likely a previous stage of the dispute.

 

[Userid]

^ Interesting theory, I like it. Quite honestly, I've always just assumed that JR had known about the murder by the time the ransom note was written -- i.e. that he was already in "cahoots" with Patsy, so to speak. It just always felt like two people were involved with the note, based on its length, the obscure references, the fact their were practice notes written, etc -- as if someone was feeding PR ideas while she wrote the note. But by reading your post I've realized a sub-point: why would JR allow this note to be written, when it pretty much puts the blame (not necessarily of the actual killing, but of the predicament he has put his daughter in) on him?

 

[CorallaroC]

As a part of my theory, the mocking tone of the RN (toward JR) is a pretty clear indicator of PR's deep resentment toward him, especially because of the the then-recent birthday bash put together for PR 1996 where she was "roasted" pretty heavily according to some who attended. Deeply hurt. Paybacks are hell. That is how some people handle things. I think PR was one of those people - she enjoyed her sweet revenge.

 

[singularity]

^ Interesting theory, I like it. Quite honestly, I've always just assumed that JR had known about the murder by the time the ransom note was written -- i.e. that he was already in "cahoots" with Patsy, so to speak. It just always felt like two people were involved with the note, based on its length, the obscure references, the fact their were practice notes written, etc -- as if someone was feeding PR ideas while she wrote the note. But by reading your post I've realized a sub-point: why would JR allow this note to be written, when it pretty much puts the blame (not necessarily of the actual killing, but of the predicament he has put his daughter in) on him?

Its possible JOhn already knew about her murder at that point. Having said that, I don't think he was sitting there assisting her with its writing. He likely had bigger fish to fry during that time. Once he read it, he would not have been happy. Mr. CEO man is certainly smart enough to see what she is doing to him in this note. She is blaming him and laying all the responibility for the nightmare on him. Its passive agressive, lets the control freak know he's not in control now, and is also another layer of domestic violence. Someone has to be blamed. Its not surprising he was cold and distant towards her all day while the house was filled with people. A lot of people think they invited friends over just to contaminate the crime scene. Possible but I think its just as likely she invited them over to save her own from getting pummeled by John in the aftermath of the nightmare that transpired in that house of horrors.

THis note is not some united front and a pact written in blood. Its a power play by one spouse to another and like Corolarro said, Patsy is serving up her revenge stone cold.....in the form of her daughter's corpse downstairs and the coldness of the note itself. Burke practically doesn't even exist in their world during this timeframe. He's not even worthy of an afterthought.

THis isn't a loving couple protecting their son and putting on a united front to do just that. These are two people who were on the verge of tearing each other limb from limb and I'm not the least bit surprised Burke admitted to pretending he was asleep upstairs. This is what children who live with domestic violence do. They stay in bed or hide under the bed until it goes away and the next day starts fresh....only to have to continually repeat this process again and again.