"This is exactly what I was looking for on the thread I started a week or so ago, and only got the same old same old, people either bashing the Ramseys because they "felt" they were guilty, or staunchly defending them because they "felt" they were not."
Welcome to our world.
"I was also under the impression that John sexually abused her - also from the same school of thought that if a father could let his daughter parade around in bikinis with adult makeup, etc. sexual abuse wasn't too far from that (IMO)."
Well, hbgchick, I've always said that it wasn't a big leap between the two. I guess you've proven me right. It wouldn't be a big leap for a jury, either, imo.
"I don't see any evidence of previous or ongoing sexual or physical abuse, which was what my whole opinion is based on."
Tell you what, hbgchick. I'll put this up and you can make up your own mind. Here goes:
<<Internationally known forensic psychiatrist Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber studied the autopsy report and came to the conclusion that JBR's vaginal injuries, - new and healed - raised the chilling possibility that she had been the victim of sexual abuse in the past - in the weeks or even months prior to the murder.
Abuse or Not Summary
Precise summary of physicians' opinions on if there was prior abuse
Seven physicians on whether or not there was prior sexual abuse of JonBenet.
All seven experts agreed there was evidence of chronic sexual abuse, although one appeared to be undecided.
Five of the medical doctors believed that prior sexual abuse had occurred:
Cyril Wecht
David Jones
James Monteleone
John McCann
Ronald Wright.
Two of the medical doctors were unclear in their responses:
Richard Krugman
Werner Spitz.>>
That's just for openers. Let's expand on that a little:
<<In August, the Boulder police department contacted Dr. John McCann, one of the nations leading experts on child sexual abuse. McCann had agreed to assist the police department in determining if JonBenet had been a victim of sexual abuse during or before her murder. McCann was sent the autopsy report and photos. According to McCann, examination findings that indicate chronic sexual abuse include the thickness of the rim of the hymen, irregularity of the edge of the hymen, the width or narrowness of the wall of the hymen, and exposure of structures of the vagina normally covered by the hymen. His report stated that there was evidence of prior hymeneal trauma as all (emphasis mine) of these criteria were seen in the post mortem examination of JonBenet.
There was a three dimensional thickening from inside to outside on the inferior hymeneal rim with a bruise apparent on the external surface of the hymen and a narrowing of the hymeneal rim from the edge of the hymen to where it attaches to the muscular portion of the vaginal openings. At the narrowing area, there appeared to be very little if any hymen present. (Emphasis mine, again.) There was also exposure of the vaginal rugae, a structure of the vagina which is normally covered by an intact hymen. The hymeneal orifice measured one centimeter which is abnormal or unusual for this particular age group and is further evidence of prior sexual abuse with a more recent injury as shown by the bruised area on the inferior hymeneal rim. A generalized increase in redness of the tissues of the vestibule was apparent, and small red flecks of blood were visible around the perineum and the external surface of the genitalia.>>
<<Dr. McCann explained the term "chronic abuse" meant only that it was "repeated", but that the number of incidents could not be determined. In the case of JonBenet, the doctor could only say that there was evidence of prior abuse". The examination results were evidence that there was at least one prior penetration of the vagina through the hymeneal membrane. The change in the hymeneal structure is due to healing from a prior penetration. However, it was not possible to determine the number of incidents nor over what period of time. Because the prior injury had healed, any other incidents of abuse probably were more than 10 days prior.
In discussing perpetrators of sexual abuse on children, McCann stated that the majority of children this age are molested by someone with whom they have close contact most commonly family members. He explained that if the molester is a stranger or someone else with whom the child is not close, the child will usually tell someone or psychological problems appear which create behavior changes observed by their parents. Common symptoms would be eating disorders, nightmares or a variety of behaviors indicating that something is bothering them. Commencement or increased bedwetting is also commonly seen in sexually abused children. When asked about JonBenet's sexualized behavior during her pageant performances, McCann said that this was not necessarily a sign of abuse, since this was taught behavior for the pageants. Also, with children's exposure to sexually explicit television programs, sexualized behavior is no longer considered to be an indication of possible sexual abuse.>>
<<In September 1997, the police department held a meeting with McCann and three other child sexual abuse experts to go over their opinions based on their review of the autopsy results. Dr. Virginia Rau of Dade County, Florida stated that she observed fresh hymeneal trauma on JonBenet and chronic inflammation that was not related to any urination issues. Dr. Rau said, In my heart, this is chronic abuse, but feared that a defense argument would be made that this was only evidence of masturbation.
Also agreeing with the findings of both McCann and Rau was Dr. Jim Monteleone of St. Louis. Dr. Richard Krugman, Dean of the University of Colorado Medical School, an expert first contacted for assistance in the Ramsey case by the D.A.s office, was the most adamant supporter of the finding of chronic sexual abuse. He felt that in considering the past and present injuries to the hymen that the bedwetting/soiling took on enormous significance. He believed that this homicide was an indecent of toilet rage and subsequent cover up. He told the group of experts and detectives about another Colorado case where both parents had been at home and both were charged. The JonBenet case is a text book example of toileting abuse rage," Krugman stated.
All of the experts agreed that there was no way any of the recent or chronic abuse damage to the genitalia of the child was the result of masturbation.>>
That's the best I can do for you, and even I'm not convinced that it wasn't two kids messing around. But, you can make up your own minds.
