Report: Boulder District Attorney Clears Ramsey Family in JonBenet Death
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Law enforcement officials Wednesday cleared the immediate family of JonBenet Ramsey in her death thanks to new DNA evidence, according to a report.
Boulder (Colo.) District Attorney Mary T. Lacy gave the family a letter that stated that "significant new evidence convinces us that it is appropriate, given the circumstances of this case, to state that we do not consider your immediate family, including you, your wife, Patsy, and your son, Burke, to be under any suspicion in the commission of this crime," according to a letter posted to 9News.com.
JonBenet, a 6-year-old beauty contestant, was found dead in her family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 2006. She had been reported missing early in the morning and was found by her father, John, in the family's basement. She'd been strangled and bludgeoned and had signs of sexual molestation.
In the letter, addressed to John Ramsey, Lacy said that a "touch DNA" test by Bode Technology Group, found new DNA evidence on long johns and underwear worn by JonBenet.
"The match of male DNA on two separate items of clothing worn by the victim at the time of the murder makes it clear to us that an unknown male handled these items," Lacy's letter said. "Despite substantial efforts over the years to identify the source of this DNA, there is no innocent explanation for its incriminating presence at three sites on these two different items of clothing that JonBenet was wearing at the time of her murder."
The letter also included an apology.
"To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry," the letter said. "No innocent person should have to endure such an extensive trial in the court of public opinion, especially when public officials have not had sufficient evidence to initiate a trial in a court of law."
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victims cryPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:34 pm
lol i will move it here and see if i can merge em (i forgot how)
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prolificPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:35 pm
Thanks savannah..
Sad that Patsy died before this happened.
How long were they crucified in the media as being guilty? People were positive and convinced it had to be them or one of them.
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SavannahStarPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:40 pm
prolific wrote:
Thanks savannah..
Sad that Patsy died before this happened.
How long were they crucified in the media as being guilty? People were positive and convinced it had to be them or one of them.
I never thought they had anything at all to do with the murder. I felt so bad for Patsy especially. I just cried when she died! God bless that poor mother..... May she rest in peace!
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Elaine SPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:50 pm
prolific wrote:
Thanks savannah..
Sad that Patsy died before this happened.
How long were they crucified in the media as being guilty? People were positive and convinced it had to be them or one of them.
That was my first thought, Pro. I never thought either parent had anything to do with it! Good for John!
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prolificPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:01 pm
Elaine S wrote:
That was my first thought, Pro. I never thought either parent had anything to do with it! Good for John!
This really does say a lot though about our trial by media. Those two were pretty much crucified. Proving now that they really were innocent, I just can't imagine what it must have been like living day to day seeing themselves on TV being convicted by the public.
Except for rare occasions when I hear something of interest is going to be on, after listening to them for so long on Natalee's case I can't even stand to listen to these TH's on cable shows anymore. It's so obvious that they have the majority arguing one POV and one with the dissenting POV.
Almost scripted.
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SavannahStarPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:04 pm
prolific wrote:
This really does say a lot though about our trial by media. Those two were pretty much crucified. Proving now that they really were innocent, I just can't imagine what it must have been like living day to day seeing themselves on TV being convicted by the public.
Except for rare occasions when I hear something of interest is going to be on, after listening to them for so long on Natalee's case I can't even stand to listen to these TH's on cable shows anymore. It's so obvious that they have the majority arguing one POV and one with the dissenting POV.
Almost scripted.
WELL SAID!!!!!!
See now this is just what I expect to happen for Joran one day in the future.....how long it will take it's anyone's guess. The Ramseys waited years.
And some of you may laugh all you want, but it happens. I've been on many message boards where some people would have sworn on their child's life that Patsy Ramsey killed JonBet!!!
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sandraKPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:10 pm
SavannahStar,
Thank you for this news.How that family suffered.
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prolificPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:27 pm
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LovelyPigeonPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:13 pm
A quiet halleluah! from me.
Although I quit posting about this case a long while back, I've always thought the family was innocent of involvement in JonBenet's death. Once the DNA evidence was discovered on her panties, I was convinced that an intruder killed her.
This latest evidence revealing matching DNA on the longjohns she was wearing to the DNA on her panties was long past due, but very welcome.
I believe that someday a DNA match will reveal the killer's identity.
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CherokeeKidPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:22 pm
Thanks for the update, Savannah!
It's been 12 years!
I'm glad there is some kind of solution to this case. I did not follow it too closely but I felt very sad that not even on the day of Patsy Ramsey's death this family got a break from some hateful people.
I was thinking of you as well, LovelyPigeon! I knew your opinion about the case and I'm very happy about the outcome!
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CherokeeKidPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:26 pm
prolific wrote:
This really does say a lot though about our trial by media. Those two were pretty much crucified. Proving now that they really were innocent, I just can't imagine what it must have been like living day to day seeing themselves on TV being convicted by the public.
Except for rare occasions when I hear something of interest is going to be on, after listening to them for so long on Natalee's case I can't even stand to listen to these TH's on cable shows anymore. It's so obvious that they have the majority arguing one POV and one with the dissenting POV.
Almost scripted.
Great post, Prolific!
Many times I'm annoyed by the media seeing how they are after people without having any knowledge or evidence, just to bolser their ratings and "make opinions"! Very scary!
IMO, the media should report facts and events. And NOT become judges and jury!
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CherokeeKidPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:28 pm
Re: RAMSEY FAMILY OFFICIALLY CLEARED!
SavannahStar wrote:
Report: Boulder District Attorney Clears Ramsey Family in JonBenet Death
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Law enforcement officials Wednesday cleared the immediate family of JonBenet Ramsey in her death thanks to new DNA evidence, according to a report.
Boulder (Colo.) District Attorney Mary T. Lacy gave the family a letter that stated that "significant new evidence convinces us that it is appropriate, given the circumstances of this case, to state that we do not consider your immediate family, including you, your wife, Patsy, and your son, Burke, to be under any suspicion in the commission of this crime," according to a letter posted to 9News.com.
JonBenet, a 6-year-old beauty contestant, was found dead in her family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 2006. She had been reported missing early in the morning and was found by her father, John, in the family's basement. She'd been strangled and bludgeoned and had signs of sexual molestation.
In the letter, addressed to John Ramsey, Lacy said that a "touch DNA" test by Bode Technology Group, found new DNA evidence on long johns and underwear worn by JonBenet.
"The match of male DNA on two separate items of clothing worn by the victim at the time of the murder makes it clear to us that an unknown male handled these items," Lacy's letter said. "Despite substantial efforts over the years to identify the source of this DNA, there is no innocent explanation for its incriminating presence at three sites on these two different items of clothing that JonBenet was wearing at the time of her murder."
The letter also included an apology.
"To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry," the letter said. "No innocent person should have to endure such an extensive trial in the court of public opinion, especially when public officials have not had sufficient evidence to initiate a trial in a court of law."
I will pray she is today.What a living hell her life was.Poor MOM.
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DocTarPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:33 pm
I know we have discussed this case at RU and I have always thought the Ramseys were innocent. I wish I could remember which ones of you thought otherwise and posted all the hateful FALSE accusations and rumors about those poor parents. Cause I would say, SEE?????? I was right. Poor tragic little girl, poor Patsy, to suffer and die without the cloud of suspicion ever being lifted.
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ArubaloverPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:33 pm
I am confused, on Fox News Alicia Acuna was saying that there was a match and it matched the DNA sample on Jon Benet's panties. Where did this other match come from?
In the broadcast, the wording was just so confusing.
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CherokeeKidPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:42 pm
DNA clears JonBenet Ramsey's family
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Prosecutors say new DNA tests have cleared JonBenet Ramsey's family in the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen.
Boulder County District Attorney Mary Lacy said Wednesday the tests point to an "unexplained third party."
She says prosecutors don't consider any member of the Ramsey family to be a suspect.
JonBenet's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, were long said to be under an "umbrella of suspicion" in the girl's slaying.
Lacy apologized to the family on Wednesday, saying, "To the extent that this office has added to the distress suffered by the Ramsey family at any time or to any degree, I offer my deepest apology."
John Ramsey, a software entrepreneur, has said in interviews he believes the case will be solved.
Patsy Ramsey died June 24, 2006 of ovarian cancer at the age of 49 in Atlanta, where the family moved after JonBenet's death.
By CATHERINE TSAI, Associated Press WriterComment on this story
BOULDER, Colo. - Citing new DNA tests, prosecutors on Wednesday cleared JonBenet Ramsey's parents and brother in the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen and apologized to the family for casting the cloud of suspicion that hung over them for more than a decade.
Boulder County District Attorney Mary Lacy said the tests point to an "unexplained third party." She released a copy of a letter she sent to John Ramsey that said: "To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry."
Lacy said prosecutors don't consider any member of the Ramsey family to be a suspect.
For years after the slaying, checkout-aisle tabloids and crime shows went after the couple. News reports also cast suspicion on JonBenet's older brother, Burke. Lacy's predecessor as district attorney, Alex Hunter, said in 1997 that the parents were under an "umbrella of suspicion."
Lacy has previously expressed doubts that the parents were involved. In 2003, a federal judge handling a defamation lawsuit in Atlanta involving the Ramseys said evidence in the case was more consistent with the theory that an intruder killed JonBenet, not her parents, and Lacy said she agreed.
John Ramsey found his daughter's strangled and bludgeoned body in the basement of the family's home in Boulder on Dec. 26, 1996. Patsy Ramsey said she found a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her daughter.
John Ramsey, a software entrepreneur, has said in interviews he believes the case will be solved.
Patsy Ramsey died June 24, 2006, of ovarian cancer at the age of 49 in Atlanta, where the family moved after JonBenet's death.
"My first thought was obviously I wish Patsy Ramsey was here with us to be able to at least share vindication of her family," said L. Lin Wood, an attorney for the Ramsey family.
"There are many people in this country, if not around the world, that also owe John and Patsy Ramsey and Burke Ramsey (their son) an apology," he said.
Less than two months after Patsy Ramsey died, the case appeared to blow wide open with the arrest in Thailand of John Mark Karr, a sometime teacher obsessed with the little girl's slaying. Karr made bizarre, detailed confessions to the killing, but authorities said DNA evidence showed Karr did not commit the crime.
Arubalover, there is a new technology called 'touch' dna testing, that was only recently used on the clothing of Jon Benet....see, there was dna on her panties, and now they have dna on her leggings, where the perp 'touched' them, as he undressed and dressed her. The new dna matches the panties dna. And so far, there is no known match in the system.
What boggles my mind is how Boulder LE were so convinced that the Ramseys were guilty, and how that family has lived for 12 years, first with the pain of losing their child in such a horific way, then being under suspicion of the murder....and all because the Boulder LE reported what they considered to be suspicious, and allowed half truths and outright lies to be broadcast night after night...now...aren't there similarities in this case and Natalee Holloway's case?
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CherokeeKidPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:33 pm
Could it be that the prosecutor had tunnel vision?
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ArubaloverPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:37 pm
Thanks DocTar!!!
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FishyPosted:
Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:50 pm
This is wonderful news. I am sure that Patsy is looking on with a huge smile I never thought they were guilty and was disgusted with the way the media treated them.
I am however sure Dr. Hodges is not celebrating. Poor Dr. Hodges, another book bites the dust ~
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For Patsy, may you rest in peace!!!!
May she rest in peace!
