NE: Forgotten DNA Evidence Clears Key Figures

[sissi]

If they couldn't clear Barnhill on the note,or the dna,how did they clear him at all?
IMO

 

[Ivy]

Barnhill was cleared, which is more than can be said of the Ramseys. Barnhill had palsy, which made it impossible for him to give a handwriting sample. Barnhill's doctor signed an affidavit confirming Barnhill's palsy. LE must have figured that not only could Barnhill not have written the note, he was an unlikely candidate for silent, stealthy creeping, or climbing into the house through a basement window--especially without disturbing the dust on the windowsill. And let's not forget the pineapple. Only Patsy's and Burke's prints were found on the bowl. As for DNA, if the mystery DNA came from more than one source, none of the Ramseys can be excluded either.

I find it odd that some posters think nothing of pointing the finger of suspicion at Barnhill, White, McReynolds, and others, but refuse to accept the very distinct possibility that Ramseys, who are NO BETTER than any of these people, were involved in JonBenet's death. Except for JonBenet, there is no evidence that anyone but John, Patsy, and Burke were in the house that night.
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IMO

 

[BlueCrab]

Except for JonBenet, there is no evidence that anyone but John, Patsy, and Burke were in the house that night.IMO/QUOTE]


That's true, but it causes a problem. The government's six handwriting experts say John definitely didn't write the note. And they say it is highly unlikely that Patsy wrote the note. So who wrote the note?

By the process of elimination it would leave Burke most likely as the writer. But was he capable? The cops won't release the results of Burke's handwriting analysis.

If Burke was not capable, then there was probably a fifth person in the house that night. If Burke was capable, then he is the killer.

JMO

 

[Jayelles]

Except for JonBenet, there is no evidence that anyone but John, Patsy, and Burke were in the house that night.IMO/QUOTE]


That's true, but it causes a problem. The government's six handwriting experts say John definitely didn't write the note. And they say it is highly unlikely that Patsy wrote the note. So who wrote the note?

By the process of elimination it would leave Burke most likely as the writer. But was he capable? The cops won't release the results of Burke's handwriting analysis.

If Burke was not capable, then there was probably a fifth person in the house that night. If Burke was capable, then he is the killer.

JMO

Did Burke have to do handwriting samples?

 

[Ivy]

BC, I think that while it's possible that one or more of Burke's friends, along with Burke, were involved in JonBenet's death, after seeing Patsy's exemplars (check Shylock's disclaimer for the URL), I am 100% certain that Patsy wrote the note, just as Gideon Epstein is. There would be no way that anyone, including Burke, could mimic every nuance of Patsy's handwriting--and besides, why would Burke or his pal/s want to implicate Patsy?
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IMO

 

[BlueCrab]

Did Burke have to do handwriting samples?

Yes. Burke provided handwriting samples on December 28, 1996. The only feedback I've seen on the results with regard to Burke is from The Daily Camera on November 22, 1997.

It stated in the article that the handwriting analyses revealed "John didn't write it; it was possible Patsy wrote it; and Burke "possibly" didn't write it". (It was the article that put the quotation marks around the word "possibly".) In my opinion it was a suspicious way to describe the results.

It seems to me the Daily Camera was trying to tell its readers, in an oblique way, that according to the results of the handwriting analyses Burke was more apt to be the writer of the ransom note than was either John or Patsy.

JMO

 

[Jayelles]

Yes. Burke provided handwriting samples on December 28, 1996. The only feedback I've seen on the results with regard to Burke is from The Daily Camera on November 22, 1997.

It stated in the article that the handwriting analyses revealed "John didn't write it; it was possible Patsy wrote it; and Burke "possibly" didn't write it". (It was the article that put the quotation marks around the word "possibly".) In my opinion it was a suspicious way to describe the results.

It seems to me the Daily Camera was trying to tell its readers, in an oblique way, that according to the results of the handwriting analyses Burke was more apt to be the writer of the ransom note than was either John or Patsy.

JMO

Good Grief, I didn't know that. So was the sample collected at the fernie's?

 

[sissi]

If it's fair game to suggest the Ramseys killed their daughter why should it be so unfair that someone named in Schiller's book as "not excluded by dna" should be considered suspect?
Barnhill was ,by what I recall,asked for several handwriting samples,it was suggested that neither his dna nor his son's could be excluded. His son LIED to the BPD saying he was not in Boulder,yet was found to have been there, just blocks from the Ramsey home during Christmas.
Barnhill's son is estranged from him,as is his daughter,I'm not certain,but in my experience it takes a lot for children to "give up on their parent" .
What was it about Barnhill's doctor? He wrote a note that said his parkinsons caused the shakiness similar to that found in the note? Or was he suggesting that giving future samples was a hardship on this man because of the shakiness? I really don't remember. He was suspected,and never cleared by anything other than his illness.
Maybe his dna could clear him now,the poor guy,yes,I feel bad for him,he has lost his wife and his dog,and evidently his children long ago.
IMO

 

[LovelyPigeon]

John, Patsy, and Burke gave handwriting samples to the BPD on Dec 28, 1996 while at the Criminal Justice Center, where they gave hair, blood, fingerprint, and DNA samples. Det. Arndt took the samples of handwriting from John, Patsy, and Burke.

According to the Michigan warrant of 3/1/97 p13, Chet Ubowski's analysis of the ransom note concluded:
*The analysis of the handwriting samples obtained from John Ramsey showed "indications that John Ramsey did not write the reported ransom note.
*The analysis of the handwriting samples obtained from Burke Ramsey showed that it was "probable" that Burke Ramsey did not write the reported ransom note.
*The analysis of the handwriting samples obtained from Patsy Ramsey showed "indications" which suggest that Patsy Ramsey may have written the reported ransom note.

The Michigan warrant sought historical handwriting samples of Patsy Ramsey. It did not seek samples of John or Burke's handwriting.

Is is obvious that the BPD thought that PR wrote the note and that she was responsible for killing JonBenét. There was no pursuit of any theory that Burke wrote the note or was JonBenét's killer.

 

[Ivy]

According to ST's book, Alex Hunter privately thought Burke might have played a role in JonBenet's death. According to ST, Hunter once said, "I wonder if Burke is involved in this."

It's interesting that although Hunter said publicly in 1999 that Burke wasn't a suspect ( he did not say "cleared"), in 2000 he refused to sign a statement Lin Wood gave him to sign stating that "all questions related to" Burke's "possible involvement" in the death of his sister "were resolved to the satisfaction of investigators." (The statement would have been signed under oath, so no wonder Hunter wouldn't sign it.) Hunter also refused to sign anything stating that Burke "has never been viewed by investigators as a suspect," or that Burke "has not been and is not a suspect."

Hunter did agree to signing a revision stating that "no evidence has ever been developed ... to justify elevating Burke Ramsey's status from witness to suspect," but that's all.

Just because ST thought Burke was incapable of having killed JonBenet doesn't mean that all other members of the BPD and other branches of LE agreed. Hunter obviously had some suspicions about Burke, whether or not he believed Burke could have written the note.
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IMO

 

[Thorkim]

I put this on a different thread, thought I'd put it here, since we're talking about Burke.

This is posted at ACR, from the NE Police Interviews book. Not only is it amazing because this is the section that deals with Patsy seeing the heart on her hand, but look at the last paragraph here. Patsy mentions "we" finding the body. I thought it was John & Fleet that found her. Hmmmm. Maybe Bluecrab is right. I am standing by my theory even more.

The National Enquirer dated Dec. 2, 2003. Page #37 At Acandyrose.

DeMuth then led Patsy back to the heart on JonBenet's hands.

Demuth: What was your reaction when you saw that heart on her hand?

Patsy: Well, I just thought Daphne must have done it or something, you know,
they were playing the night before...that was a pretty good little heart, you
know, I mean---pretty well drawn.

DeMuth: O.K.

"Patsy's answers seemed to implicate her in JonBenet's murder. But the next
day, after having the time to talk to her lawyer, she asked for a chance to
talk about the heart once again---and changed her story.

Patsy: I think that I read somewhere talking about the heart on her hand.
And truthfully, I can't---I am having trouble distinguishing whether I actually
saw that. I just recently read parts of the autopsy report, and I believe
that was on there. And I just, you know, now I have a picture of a heart on her
hand and I can't remember whether I actually saw it or---

DeMuth: Let me ask you this. Do you remember what color it was? Is there a
color that you recall?

Patsy: No, I just see a red heart in my mind.

DeMuth: But you don't know if you read it?

Patsy: No...just to be perfectly fair, to say that I saw it on her.

Haney: ....As we go back a little bit, which you brought up this morning, Mrs. Ramsey, about the heart on the hand, I want to make sure that I have got this straight. You said that on the night of the 25th when you put JonBenet down, you didn't recall seeing any drawings or markings, any heart or anything like that.

Patsy: Right.

Haney: O.K. And then, in your words, would you tell me when it is or how it is that you recall something about, something on her hand?

Patsy: Well, I recently read the autopsy report, part of it, and the heart drawing on her hand. I really don't know which hand, I don't know. I don't know which hand. And I heard some talk about the heart on her hand. But I can't be sure that I actually saw the heart on her hand (when) we discovered her body. But I have a visual image of the heart on her hand, but I may be drawing that from things I have heard or read. Can't really remember physically seeing the heart on her hand.
__________________

 

[LovelyPigeon]

AFFIDAVIT of ALEXANDER HUNTER - October 12th, 2000

State of Colorado
County of Colorado
Personally appeared before the undersigned officer duly authorized by law to administer oaths, ALEXANDER M. HUNTER, who being first duly sworn, deposes and says as follows:

1. My name is Alexander M. Hunter. I am over 21 years of age and I am cmpetant to make and give this Affidavit, and do so from personal knowledge.

2. I am an attorney duly licensed in the State of Colorado. Since January 9th, 1973, I have been the elected District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District, County of Boulder, State of Colorado.

3. On or about December 26th, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey, a six year old minor child, was murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado.
4. Since the date of her death, I have been continuously involved in the investigation of JonBenét's homicide.
5. As part of the investigation into the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, questions about any possible involvement by her brother, Burke Ramsey, who was 9 years of age at the time of his sister's murder and who was one of the individuals present in the house at the time of her murder, were raised and investigated as part of standard investigative practices and procedures.
6. From December 26th, 1996, to the date of this affidavit, no evidence has ever been developed in the investigation to justify elevating Burke Ramsey's status from that of witness to suspect.
7. In May of 1999, I was made aware that tabloid newspapers had indicated that Burke Ramsey was a suspect in the murder of JonBenét Ramsey or was believed to be her killer. As a result of these articles, I was contacted by media representatives and I instructed my office to release a press statement which publicly and officially stated that Burke Ramsey was not a suspect in connection with the murder of his sister and that stated in part, "...almost a year ago (Boulder) Police Chief Mark Beckner stated during a news conference that Burke (Ramsey) was not a suspect and that we are not looking at him as a possible suspect." The information in the May 1999 press release was true and correct.
8. From December 26th, 1996, to the present date, I have never engaged n plea bargain negotiations, talks or discussions with anyone in connection with the investigation into the murder of JonBenét Ramsey based in whole or in part on the premise that Burke Ramsey killed his sister. From December 26th, 1996, to the present date, no member of my office has ever engaged in plea bargain negotiations, talks or discussions with anyone in connection with the investigation into the murder of JonBenét Ramsey based in whole or in part on the premise that Burke Ramsey killed his sister.
9. I am aware that this Affidavit may be used by counsel for Burke ramsey in connection with libel litigation brought on his behalf in various jurisdictions.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NOT
This 12th day of October, 2000
signed by Alexander M. Hunter
notarized by Susan Ingraham

 

[Ivy]

LP, what you posted is the statement Lin Wood composed for Hunter to sign that I referred to in my post above. It's a revision of the original statement LW really wanted Hunter to sign.

No where in the statement does it say that Burke was CLEARED.
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IMO

 

[LovelyPigeon]

Burke Ramsey not suspect in killing, DA's office says (Boulder News)
Burke has been the center of a media frenzy during the past two weeks after a supermarket tabloid reported that he was responsible for his sister's death. http://web.dailycamera.com/extra/ramsey/1999/21arams.html

Son not a suspect (Denver Post) http://63.147.65.175/news/jon0521.htm

Brother cleared as suspect in JonBenet case (Inside Denver) http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/extra/ramsey/0521rams1.shtml

As the DA's office said, Burke was not in 1999 and had never been a suspect in the case.

 

[Ivy]

There's a significant difference between Burke not being named as a suspect and Burke being CLEARED. Anyone who states that Burke was cleared is wrong.

___
IMO

 

[BlueCrab]

Good Grief, I didn't know that. So was the sample collected at the fernie's?

No. John, Patsy, and Burke gave their first set of handwriting samples all at the same time on the 28th. They went somewhere to give the samples, but I can't recall where. It may have been at offices of the CBI.

JMO

EDITED to add that it was at the Justice Center as stated above by LP. I am just now catching up with my reading.

 

[Britt]

No where in the statement does it say that Burke was CLEARED.

And besides... supporters of Ramsey innocence never miss an opportunity to point out how worthless and incompetent Boulder law enforcement was in this case, so whattheheck difference does this or any other "statement" make? Burke is as viable a suspect as anyone else.

 

[LovelyPigeon]

Burke was not a suspect. Burke is not a suspect. There has never been evidence to indicate Burke should be a suspect. That has been stated by Hunter, by the current DA's office, by Steve Thomas, by Lin Wood, by Judge Carnes, etc etc

Burke is cleared by Boulder police and by the Boulder DA's office.

 

[Ivy]

Exactly, Britt. Anyway, the statement Wood provided Hunter to sign was merely intended as ammo for Wood to use in BDI-related lawsuits.

As Shylock says, who cares whether or not Burke was cleared? There's a new DA now and a new investigation supposedly going on. Keenan hasn't cleared any of the Ramseys, and that includes Burke.
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IMO

 

[LovelyPigeon]

John, Patsy, and Burke gave handwriting samples to the BPD on Dec 28, 1996 while at the Criminal Justice Center, where they gave hair, blood, fingerprint, and DNA samples.

Arndt took the samples of handwriting from John, Patsy, and Burke.