:newhere: If "fence sitting" was a paid job, I'd have quite a vacation fund set aside. Since the murder of JB, this case has weighed heavily on my heart and mind. I am a Newbie on this Forum, and now look forward to adding my opinions on the JB case. I will also post on the thread regarding Kolar's book, since it was the catalyst for me to join WS.
My Dad was a terrific amateur "whodunit" fan, and never seemed to miss in his first attempt at solving a crime or mystery. He engaged my interest in sleuthing over 50 years ago, and we both followed crimes of this sort over the years with great interest. At the outset, we were of opposing opinions on this crime, with him being in the RDI camp, and me (as a seasoned mother and new grandmother), being an IDI, feeling it had to be someone close, but outside the family. Being a Christian, I could not fathom the idea of parents being involved in that type of crime. Such naivete! If JB's death did not serve one other single purpose somewhere, somehow, I can attest that it was the light of the path leading not only me, but probably many others out of sheltered unreality into the a realm of realism that can accompany disordered or ill minds. I moved onto the fence as the years went by, listening to and reading articles casually - always hoping that LE would finally press charges on SOMEONE. JB DESERVES, AT THE VERY LEAST, A CONFIRMED RESOLUTION TO HER DEATH, so she may Rest In PEACE.
Dad passed on 2 years ago, at the age of 85, and up till then, we still had conversations about JB because he thought it was the most tragic unsolved murder case of a child he could imagine. Dad raised up 3 daughters, and was fiercely protective of all of us (I'm the oldest). He always said if anyone ever did anything to one of us girls, and they caught the guy, he would strap dynamite to himself and go down to the police station to announce, "OK - either you let me have the guy, or we're all going up". And those who knew my red-headed, feisty old pop never doubted for a minute he would do exactly that. He especially detested child molestation, being a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and instilled within our family a sense of allegiance to protecting the innocence and value of a child.
After these last nearly 16 years of following the JB case whenever it presented itself through some sort of broadcast media or periodical type print, just prior to the announced release of Kolar's book, and Tricia's radio webcast, the case began to burn into my mind and heart with an intensity I simply cannot explain. I set about studying all the e-media I could, and had also decided to start reading my way through what I hoped would be the best books about the case.
At this time, I learned about John Ramsey's new book, and it struck out at me viciously. The idea of it reeked with narcissism and I resent his decision to use his faith as the catalyst which would allow him to justifiably soothe souls (his, as well as others) while conveniently producing revenue. Yuck. I vowed then and there to bypass any Ramsey publications, and made a decision to look into LE accounts. I verified Kolar's history and experience with the case, and after listening to the broadcast, decided his would be my first book. Now, which book do you recommend for my next read?? Of course, I am developing my own theory of how the crime unfolded, but I will go on record as of this date as saying I am now off the fence and a BDI camper - but, I do feel both JR and PR were involved in the staging of a cover-up, with PR writing the RN. Can't quite get all the details into my own timeline yet, but I think Patsy was the first to know about what her son had done to JB, and at some point JR had to become part of the staging. IMO with all the knowledge shared in Kolar's book, that family had such dysfunction in so many aspects, that NONE of them could have made the most responsible and rational decisions during JB's last hours that would have brought at least a shred of justice to her.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this! I pray that there is a way our Father will enable a final resolve for this case.