In the course of my JBR case research, I have tried, several times, to wrap a piece of cord around a pencil, and each time ended up with a similar
"layperson's" construction: I looped the cord around the pencil a couple of times and then, to make it hold, slipped one end the end under the wraps.
So how did it turn out? Did any of them look
exactly like the one in the pictures? Mine didn't, which I think adds to what I feel is the "randomness" of how it was tied. As you point out (and I agree), it was tied "without using any professional technique". I don't have to point out to you,
rashomon, because you see it; but I ask anyone else to just look at how the underlying wraps go in different directions, and then compare it to any illustrated knots you can find.
The cord was made of soft nylon, and these cords fray very easily. Even if you cut them without any pull, they will fray instantly.
To me, it looks like the cylindrical shaped cord end one can see in in the wraps around the paintbrush handle, was still 'melted' together in some way, and had not yet been cut:
http://www.acandyrose.com/garrote2.jpg
True. That type of cord does fray easily, and you make a good point about the unfrayed end possibly being the stabilized end of the entire 50' length (if I understand you correctly). Were that the case, would not the cord have had to be almost perfectly planned and constructed to end up with that short end piece sticking out just the right amount (assuming that the other end of that 17" long section of cord was attached to a dead body)? I think more likely (JMO) is that the cord coming from JonBenet's neck was wrapped, tied off, and then the excess cut off close to the knot, maybe with scissors (distance from knot = ~2cm; amount of tension = none; length of time making cut = quick).
Maybe the cylindrical piece was the end of a rest of nylon cord laying around, which Patsy then grabbed from a basement drawer in her frantic search for staging material?
Yes, maybe it could have been laying around. We don't know with certainty that the $1.99 spent at McGuckin's was to buy that Stansport cord, but we know it is a definite possibility that they had it in their house. But be careful about assigning personal blame yet to an individual action. You might be assuming responsibility for the roles played in this based on your theory. Let's wait and look at all we know first, throw out all the possible red herrings, and then look at the most logical explanation of what happened. Then we'll figure out who the person is that would be the most likely one to have done any particular thing.
Otg, do you or others happen to have the Stansport cord?
No. But believe me, I've looked for it. I've seen similar, but never an exact match. Stansport products can be found online, but they might not be manufacturing that any more. (If they did, I think they would sell a lot!)
Among the many 'mistakes' the stager made was to leave a far too long piece of cord betwen the neck knot and the paintbrush stick.
Imo this is another indicator that the "garrote" construction was a mere stage prop which was fashioned after the the neck knot had been tied.
Yes!! Absolutely. But why?
I think it was to alter the existing evidence that was known to be the cause of death so that the motives behind it were obscured.
Think about this: An attempt was made to remove evidence of the sexual aspects of this (missing piece of paintbrush -- probably with blood and vaginal fluids on it, wiped blood on her legs, changed clothes). The evidence that was left was the evidence that pointed to the cause of death; but it was altered to some degree to make it look like something else happened.
Do you remember (according to
IRMI) what Dr. Lee said (besides pointing out that the rice was already cooked)? How many others, besides Dr. Lee, who are familiar with the evidence (and who are more educated than me) have also said or made reference to an "accident"? How many people who have followed this case are so shocked at the end result of what happened that they can't imagine that this is in some way an "accident"?
rashomon, thank you for your detailed response and probing questions. I believe I may bring you around to seeing what I see.
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