UKGuy,
A possible reason to whack JB after being strangled is to divert attention away from the previous sexual abuse of the little girl? This was all supposed to go down as IDI, which implied an out of control sociopath left with a kidnapping-gone-wrong with which to deal. It was necessary to create an impression of frenzied violence. Since the RN draws on movie quotes for its composition, it might be inferred that the unfortunately unphotographed WC tableau is also drawn from film scenes. At that time, the slasher cycle was going strong. "Scream" was released in Dec. '96. Whoever struck JB could not have known that the skull injury would not result in a visibly bloody wound. This may have disappointed, if the intention had been to create a Grand Guignol spectacle, just like in the movies? (BTW slasher films were marketed to a largely female audience.)
MO the suitcase and its contents, et al, are diversions planted by the Rs. While intriguing, it is important not to play along with their many games, which includes Ramnesia. Their home was a mess. The CS was a mess.
Why be surprised by the mess that their conflicting statements created? Actually, perpetual contradictions proved to be a successful strategy for them all.
The pineapple is a part of the evidence over which the Rs had no control. Its importance is that it establishes the timeline. Probably, this fact had not occurred to them as significant during the staging, and then they were perplexed as to its explanation after the autopsy.
Thanks for your responses.
CS - not sure what this stands for?
Yes, I basically agree with your comments. They might want to make it look like an accident or botched kidnapping (which it wasn't; it was premeditated murder to silence JB). But if you want to stage it as an accident or botched kidnapping - well, the head trauma may work.
I suspect John and/or John Andrew. If John was involved, I suspect that he gave Patsy a sedative to sleep better at night. (Yes, I know they had separate bedrooms.)
And to me, the ransom note does sound as if something a young man (JAR) would write. But are you suggesting that Patsy, who lived in a fantasy world, may have written the note?
Motive: 1) to silence JB from reporting PRIOR sexual abuse; and 2) perhaps to frame Patsy (as her stepson, JAR could have these two motives)
It's interesting that you suggested that the suitcase and the contents may have been planted by the Ramseys. Are you suggesting that they framed John Andrew? After all, they could have just not realized what was in the suitcase. Does that make sense?
Burke's involvement - waking up; being curious (and he was quite a curious kid) - could spoil the plans of John and Pasty to dispose of the dead body PRIOR to calling the police. Burke might see them disposing of the dead body? Is this too far-fetched? Not so sure if John could have removed the body from the house without neighbors seeing. Plus they want to give JB a proper funeral and burial.
Burke's usage: supposedly being the killer. Did John convince Patsy that Burke had done this? Patsy would cover for her own son Burke before she would cover for her stepson JAR.
So what are your thoughts on JAR's involvement?
Oversized underwear - something more likely that a man would do? But I guess the person just chose whatever was available in the basement?
Thanks again for your responses.
