If we could be sure (convinced) there was no mysterious intruder, we still wouldn't know, strictly on that basis, which of the occupants (other than JonBenet) was/were involved in her death and/or the alleged cover-up. Further, we can't be sure who the occupants were. [By "occupants", I mean all those present in the home at the time of the incident, whose presence was known to, and authorized by, both parents.] This is self-evident. The Ramseys have not reported the presence of any "bushy-haired" assailant, nor alluded to the presence of any authorized person other than themselves and Burke and JonBenet.
It seems to me that the best way to defeat the intruder hypothesis (if you are so inclined) is to carefully examine and soundly interpret the evidence. I know I am not alone in this assessment.
I have already mentioned the knots as possibly being crucial evidence. There is one knot in particular which strikes me as being especially relevant--the knot in the "noose". My questions about it go largely unanswered, for some strange reason. Maybe because shedding too much light on the nature of this knot will make the purpose of the "garotte" obvious, and preclude further discussion. Can we talk?
The coroner has said (autopsy report) this is a square knot. The RST (so-called) have said this is a sophisticated slip-knot. I know enough about square knots to know that square knots CAN slip; and whether one would do so would depend on which parts of the cord undergo tension at the same time--are pulled. However, a square knot is not preferred as a noose knot or as a lariat knot, because it tends NOT to slip. But, if a square knot is tied incorrectly, producing what is commonly referred to as a "granny knot", though it will slip more easily than a square knot in certain applications, it will NOT slip AT ALL when it is used as the knotting method in a "noose"; and will, in fact, work better than a square knot, in such application, if slipping is not desired.
Now, in the case of the aforementioned "square knot" in the "noose" around JBR's neck, if you were to grasp the stick attached to the end of the longer tail of the cord, and pull, would you expect the "noose" to tighten? Well, if you knew the knot were a slip knot, you'd probably answer, YES. It might even tighten under the weight of the body, but would most certainly tighten if the body were constrained from moving under the influence of the tension in the cord. But, if you knew the knot were a square knot, you might answer, NO; because the square knot is designed (but not always effective) to prevent slippage. It is a good, easily constructed knot for conjoining two lengths of cord (splice) for the very reason that it tends to be slip-proof; but, you have to do it correctly, else you'll end up with a granny knot that will very likely slip and would not be a good choice for splicing cords. However, if you knew the knot in the "noose" around JBR's neck was a granny knot (which resembles a square knot, and only differs from it in one particular), you'd almost certainly answer, NO; because in this application, the granny knot (if properly tightened) would be superior to the square knot in terms of it's tendency NOT to slip.
In any event, of what use is a "noose" (a loop which could be placed around the neck and drawn tight by pulling on the long tailing end) if it is equipped with a non-slipping knot? Whereas it could be used to control a live person, in the manner of a yolk, as was often done with slaves, it would be useless as a breath-control device in AEA as has been proposed by some, and it would be useless as a strangulation device as has been proposed by many. It could be used to drag the body (something which I and others have considered), but what evidence is there of this, or to hang the body?
Now, it has been suggested that the child could have been strangled by the cord that was found affixed to her neck, by simply wrapping the cord around her neck, tightening it and making a knot in it, as one might tie a package to be mailed, etc. (the sort of simple knot like that used to tie a shoe, but without the bow), and then, while tension was still present in the cord, making another similar knot to lock the previous knot and form a part of the finished knot as a whole. But, that this might be difficult to do, especially with a live and kicking child, has been suggested, because one tail of the "noose" was only 4 inches long and would not afford a satisfactory grip for the operation. Yet, what is absent in this appraisal is the possibility that, either the child was not kicking and/or the 4-inch tail was once part of a much longer tail that was eventually cut off, and possibly even used as the wrist ligature. Nevertheless, I doubt this would be a preferred method for effecting strangulation; still if it is your intention to strangle someone, would you not likely used whatever means is available?
At any rate, if you believe the non-slip-knot assessment (whether granny or square, or other), then you must conclude, on those grounds alone, that the make-shift "garotte" handle was of no utilitarian purpose. Now, what does that suggest?
BTW, pressure, when it is present, is exerted in both (in the case of liquid, ALL) directions; if there is tension (a form of pressure) in the cord owing to swelling of the body, there is also simultaneous pressure in the tissue which pushes against the cord, so you can't say it was the tissue of the swelling body (post mortem) pushing against the cord that caused the ligature groove any more than you can say it was the cord pushing against the swelling tissue. Pressure doesn't occur in a vacuum, but a vacuum can be established via pressure.
It seems to me that the best way to defeat the intruder hypothesis (if you are so inclined) is to carefully examine and soundly interpret the evidence. I know I am not alone in this assessment.
I have already mentioned the knots as possibly being crucial evidence. There is one knot in particular which strikes me as being especially relevant--the knot in the "noose". My questions about it go largely unanswered, for some strange reason. Maybe because shedding too much light on the nature of this knot will make the purpose of the "garotte" obvious, and preclude further discussion. Can we talk?
The coroner has said (autopsy report) this is a square knot. The RST (so-called) have said this is a sophisticated slip-knot. I know enough about square knots to know that square knots CAN slip; and whether one would do so would depend on which parts of the cord undergo tension at the same time--are pulled. However, a square knot is not preferred as a noose knot or as a lariat knot, because it tends NOT to slip. But, if a square knot is tied incorrectly, producing what is commonly referred to as a "granny knot", though it will slip more easily than a square knot in certain applications, it will NOT slip AT ALL when it is used as the knotting method in a "noose"; and will, in fact, work better than a square knot, in such application, if slipping is not desired.
Now, in the case of the aforementioned "square knot" in the "noose" around JBR's neck, if you were to grasp the stick attached to the end of the longer tail of the cord, and pull, would you expect the "noose" to tighten? Well, if you knew the knot were a slip knot, you'd probably answer, YES. It might even tighten under the weight of the body, but would most certainly tighten if the body were constrained from moving under the influence of the tension in the cord. But, if you knew the knot were a square knot, you might answer, NO; because the square knot is designed (but not always effective) to prevent slippage. It is a good, easily constructed knot for conjoining two lengths of cord (splice) for the very reason that it tends to be slip-proof; but, you have to do it correctly, else you'll end up with a granny knot that will very likely slip and would not be a good choice for splicing cords. However, if you knew the knot in the "noose" around JBR's neck was a granny knot (which resembles a square knot, and only differs from it in one particular), you'd almost certainly answer, NO; because in this application, the granny knot (if properly tightened) would be superior to the square knot in terms of it's tendency NOT to slip.
In any event, of what use is a "noose" (a loop which could be placed around the neck and drawn tight by pulling on the long tailing end) if it is equipped with a non-slipping knot? Whereas it could be used to control a live person, in the manner of a yolk, as was often done with slaves, it would be useless as a breath-control device in AEA as has been proposed by some, and it would be useless as a strangulation device as has been proposed by many. It could be used to drag the body (something which I and others have considered), but what evidence is there of this, or to hang the body?
Now, it has been suggested that the child could have been strangled by the cord that was found affixed to her neck, by simply wrapping the cord around her neck, tightening it and making a knot in it, as one might tie a package to be mailed, etc. (the sort of simple knot like that used to tie a shoe, but without the bow), and then, while tension was still present in the cord, making another similar knot to lock the previous knot and form a part of the finished knot as a whole. But, that this might be difficult to do, especially with a live and kicking child, has been suggested, because one tail of the "noose" was only 4 inches long and would not afford a satisfactory grip for the operation. Yet, what is absent in this appraisal is the possibility that, either the child was not kicking and/or the 4-inch tail was once part of a much longer tail that was eventually cut off, and possibly even used as the wrist ligature. Nevertheless, I doubt this would be a preferred method for effecting strangulation; still if it is your intention to strangle someone, would you not likely used whatever means is available?
At any rate, if you believe the non-slip-knot assessment (whether granny or square, or other), then you must conclude, on those grounds alone, that the make-shift "garotte" handle was of no utilitarian purpose. Now, what does that suggest?
BTW, pressure, when it is present, is exerted in both (in the case of liquid, ALL) directions; if there is tension (a form of pressure) in the cord owing to swelling of the body, there is also simultaneous pressure in the tissue which pushes against the cord, so you can't say it was the tissue of the swelling body (post mortem) pushing against the cord that caused the ligature groove any more than you can say it was the cord pushing against the swelling tissue. Pressure doesn't occur in a vacuum, but a vacuum can be established via pressure.