Just a theory about JBR case

[Swirlz]

I watched The Case of JonBenet and the team suggests it was Burke.

They're reading from off of a script.

 

[Ponytale]

I watched The Case of JonBenet and the team suggests it was Burke.

Yes they do, as does Kolar and many sleuths out there. I believe it was Buke who hit her on the head, but did not do or know about the rest of it (staging). IMO

 

[Curious dog]

Yes they do, as does Kolar and many sleuths out there. I believe it was Buke who hit her on the head, but did not do or know about the rest of it (staging). IMO

I think there is so much speculation about relatively minor aspects of this case that the important things are somewhat overlooked. Was she murdered? Yes, indisputably. Was it an intruder or a family member? Everything I have read points most strongly towards someone living in the house, very possibly with an accomplice. Why the elaborate fiction of the ransom note and the Ramsey’s atypical behaviour in the immediate aftermath? Can only be to try and hide the truth from investigators.
The combination of a blow causing a 6 inch fracture and near simultaneous strangulation sets all my alarms off. (head injuries on that scale don’t occur when a 3 year old falls on a hard floor). It’s overkill for any perpetrator, never mind a 9 year old. Having rendered her unconscious why fashion a garrotte to finish the job? Was it already made, and even being used prior to the blow? Things make more sense to me if 2 people were involved. Burke’s new computer game was a big novelty, the Stines lived a few minutes cycle ride away. Potentially this scenario could explain a lot, youthful bravado, egging on etc, as well as the peculiar interactions with the Stines afterwards, not calling them then almost immediately going to live with them??
Were they ever interrogated by the police, especially Burke’s friend? I’d like to read the transcripts if so, and ask a few supplementary questions.

 

[Ponytale]

and the Ramsey’s atypical behaviour in the immediate aftermath?

Yes, if it was an intruder and I was only an innocent parent in shock and desperate to find my daughter alive - there is just so much that does not add up or make any logical sense. IMO, their behavior tells it all.

The combination of a blow causing a 6 inch fracture and near simultaneous strangulation sets all my alarms off. (head injuries on that scale don’t occur when a 3 year old falls on a hard floor). It’s overkill for any perpetrator, never mind a 9 year old.

The head injury must have been a deliberate act. Nothing else explains it. There is no indication of her falling or receiving this injury any other way - there would be other signs on her body if it was something else then a blow to the head. We just do not know if it was an accident or deliberate act. I believe it was an accident...
We do not have any clear poof that it was indeed simultaneous or if there was a time gap up to two hours, there are different statements on that topic, unfortunately.

Having rendered her unconscious why fashion a garrotte to finish the job? Was it already made, and even being used prior to the blow? Things make more sense to me if 2 people were involved.

There are many possibilities here. We do not know the truth and can only think of different theories that could all be a possibility...

Burke’s new computer game was a big novelty, the Stines lived a few minutes cycle ride away. Potentially this scenario could explain a lot, youthful bravado, egging on etc, as well as the peculiar interactions with the Stines afterwards, not calling them then almost immediately going to live with them??

Again something to ponder, but we will probably never get to the truth or even know if any of this played a role or not.

Were they ever interrogated by the police, especially Burke’s friend? I’d like to read the transcripts if so, and ask a few supplementary questions.

We know that DS was called to Grand Jury. We do not know what was asked or said. Unfortunately we really do not know much more...

 

[CloudedTruth]

The head injury must have been a deliberate act. Nothing else explains it. There is no indication of her falling or receiving this injury any other way - there would be other signs on her body if it was something else then a blow to the head. We just do not know if it was an accident or deliberate act. I believe it was an accident...
We do not have any clear poof that it was indeed simultaneous or if there was a time gap up to two hours, there are different statements on that topic, unfortunately.

Those who believe it was almost simultaneous and that the strangulation occurred first are in the minority. A very big minority. 17 out of the 20 experts who consulted on the case determined that the head blow came first. Only 3 had the opposite perspective, and let's be honest.....Dr. Doberson, one of the three was being paid by team Ramsey. The other two, Drs. Spitz and Wecht gave their opinions independently. Neither were part of the official investigation and came to their conclusions by viewing what was publicly available at the time. Neither had access to the autopsy reports and materials that the others did.

Both Mitch Morrissey and Michael Beckner, who are familiar with expert witness testimony given at the Grand Jury have given us insight into how Dr. Lucy Rorke testified. Head blow came first, followed by the strangulation anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours later. Dr. Rorke was a pediatric neuropathologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She was considered a pioneer in her field of specialty. Here's a snippet about her as published in an article from Rowan Today, from Rowan University:

A trailblazing pediatric neuropathologist who is an international expert on pediatric brain tumors and shaken baby syndrome, Rorke-Adams spent five decades at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she served as acting chair of pathology.

Recognized internationally for her research on the study of diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves in children, Rorke-Adams was a clinical professor of pathology, pediatrics and neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2010, CHOP established a faculty chair in pediatric neuropathology in her honor.

The first and only female president of Philadelphia General Hospital in the hospital’s 188-year history, Rorke-Adams also was president of the medical staff at CHOP in 1986 while the hospital searched for a new president.

In 2021, Rorke-Adams donated samples of Albert Einstein’s brain to The Mutter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. She was one of a select few to become a trusted keeper of the brain tissue, which was acquired by the medical examiner conducting Einstein’s autopsy.

It should be noted that out of the 20 experts weighing in on the subject, the coroner Dr. John Meyer agreed with the assessment of Dr. Rorke. Not only that the head would occurred first, but also with her timeline of 45 minutes to 2 hours between the blow and strangulation. Dr. Meyer specifically sought out Dr. Rorke to consult on the head / brain injuries because of her reputation and knowledge in this area.

The comments floating around that Dr. Meyer concluded that the blow to the head and the strangulation occurred almost simultaneously are false. This rumor was started by Paula Woodward who claimed that Dr. Meyer told her that. He has never confirmed that conversation with Woodward, who is notorious in this case for misrepresenting the facts. Notice she still appears alongside JR to promote his nonsense. Dr. Meyer's degree in medicine is as a general practitioner who then went on to train as a pathologist, that is his specialty not neuropathology, which is exactly why he requested expert consultation from Dr. Rorke whose specialty is neuropathology. Dr. Meyer has rarely spoken at all about this case to anyone outside of LE, let alone the press. He has said that he very purposely did not include his opinions in the official autopsy report, those are contained in his notes which to this day remain confidential. He wanted to preserve them for legal proceedings such as GJ and / or trial. I feel confident in the opinion that based upon what we know of Dr. Meyer, he would not break his own protocol of confidentiality by divulging anything of such importance to a reporter.

 

[Ponytale]

Those who believe it was almost simultaneous and that the strangulation occurred first are in the minority. A very big minority. 17 out of the 20 experts who consulted on the case determined that the head blow came first. Only 3 had the opposite perspective, and let's be honest.....Dr. Doberson, one of the three was being paid by team Ramsey. The other two, Drs. Spitz and Wecht gave their opinions independently. Neither were part of the official investigation and came to their conclusions by viewing what was publicly available at the time. Neither had access to the autopsy reports and materials that the others did.

Both Mitch Morrissey and Michael Becker, who are familiar with expert witness testimony given at the Grand Jury have given us insight into how Dr. Lucy Rorke testified. Head blow came first, followed by the strangulation anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours later. Dr. Rorke was a pediatric neuropathologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She was considered a pioneer in her field of specialty. Here's a snippet about her as published in an article from Rowan Today, from Rowan University:

A trailblazing pediatric neuropathologist who is an international expert on pediatric brain tumors and shaken baby syndrome, Rorke-Adams spent five decades at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she served as acting chair of pathology.

Recognized internationally for her research on the study of diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves in children, Rorke-Adams was a clinical professor of pathology, pediatrics and neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2010, CHOP established a faculty chair in pediatric neuropathology in her honor.

The first and only female president of Philadelphia General Hospital in the hospital’s 188-year history, Rorke-Adams also was president of the medical staff at CHOP in 1986 while the hospital searched for a new president.

In 2021, Rorke-Adams donated samples of Albert Einstein’s brain to The Mutter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. She was one of a select few to become a trusted keeper of the brain tissue, which was acquired by the medical examiner conducting Einstein’s autopsy.

It should be noted that out of the 20 experts weighing in on the subject, the coroner Dr. John Meyer agreed with the assessment of Dr. Rorke. Not only that the head would occurred first, but also with her timeline of 45 minutes to 2 hours between the blow and strangulation. Dr. Meyer specifically sought out Dr. Rorke to consult on the head / brain injuries because of her reputation and knowledge in this area.

The comments floating around that Dr. Meyer concluded that the blow to the head and the strangulation occurred almost simultaneously are false. This rumor was started by Paula Woodward who claimed that Dr. Meyer told her that. He has never confirmed that conversation with Woodward, who is notorious in this case for misrepresenting the facts. Notice she still appears alongside JR to promote his nonsense. Dr. Meyer's degree in medicine is as a general practitioner who then went on to train as a pathologist, that is his specialty not neuropathology, which is exactly why he requested expert consultation from Dr. Rorke whose specialty is neuropathology. Dr. Meyer has rarely spoken at all about this case to anyone outside of LE, let alone the press. He has said that he very purposely did not include his opinions in the official autopsy report, those are contained in his notes which to this day remain confidential. He wanted to preserve them for legal proceedings such as GJ and / or trial. I feel confident in the opinion that based upon what we know of Dr. Meyer, he would not break his own protocol of confidentiality by divulging anything of such importance to a reporter.

Yes, I agree with all of above. I just have had my doubts regarding the specifics of how, when and how fast do different changes appear after a severe head trauma, and I did not want to be asked to source my statements about this topic, so I chose not to be specific with my wording. But I do not argue any of it. I went on to read more about brain cell necrosis to learn more about timing and I completely agree with the experts consulted in this case.

 

[Curious dog]

Yes, I agree with all of above. I just have had my doubts regarding the specifics of how, when and how fast do different changes appear after a severe head trauma, and I did not want to be asked to source my statements about this topic, so I chose not to be specific with my wording. But I do not argue any of it. I went on to read more about brain cell necrosis to learn more about timing and I completely agree with the experts consulted in this case.

I wouldn’t argue with the expert opinions and I haven’t read the detailed autopsy report, but I do have some experience of head injuries and pathology. My understanding is that there was very little bleeding or brain swelling suggesting that circulation ceased perimortem. The scalp typically bleeds profusely following significant trauma, if the skin is unbroken this manifests as significant rapid swelling.
Going back to my original point, the exact order of events is secondary to the question of whodunnit. We’ll probably never know for sure unless a future prosecutor reviews the case and treats all the protagonists as hostile witnesses and someone cracks. I won’t hold my breath waiting.

 

[CloudedTruth]

I wouldn’t argue with the expert opinions and I haven’t read the detailed autopsy report, but I do have some experience of head injuries and pathology. My understanding is that there was very little bleeding or brain swelling suggesting that circulation ceased perimortem. The scalp typically bleeds profusely following significant trauma, if the skin is unbroken this manifests as significant rapid swelling.
Going back to my original point, the exact order of events is secondary to the question of whodunnit. We’ll probably never know for sure unless a future prosecutor reviews the case and treats all the protagonists as hostile witnesses and someone cracks. I won’t hold my breath waiting.

The findings of the autopsy report have been misrepresented by some who simply don’t understand it, and by those who have purposely misrepresented the findings. There was swelling, there was bleeding.

The Ramseys promote the strangulation first because they think it proves the intruder theory. From that aspect, the order of events does have importance.

But I do agree, lacking a confession we probably will never know for sure exactly what happened and who the perpetrators were.