Corey, I agree with you there are some things about JRs behavior which indicate considerable talent in manipulating and controlling the aftermath. I try not to draw any conclusions beyond observing the manner in which JR has led others to certain conclusions.
From Kolars book and from BRs TV interview, it is simple to believe BR did it all, except for the crime scene clean-up and RN; though like others Ive always had questions about what happened after the head blow. (Did someone in the family bring a pillow down for her, e.g. , what is it doing on the kitchen counter in the photos taken after the 911 report?)
Whether JR was a master liar/manipulator has been a question which has really not been evaluated very well. To rephrase this: Was JR an innocent victim in the development of the RN and the crime scene clean-up, until he purportedly joined the cover-up at 11:00 am that morning when he stated he found JB. Even Douglas only minimally glanced at the idea JR was a master liar, or as he stated, If he was, he was one of the best. For me the answer lies in his statements. Its just an impression that he seems to know how to lead people he considers of inferior intellect to the conclusion he wants them to have, a little a la Hansel and Gretel dropping bread crumbs, only these are perplexing comments he has dropped.
-On June 6, 1997, three months into his work on the case, Smit did his daily drive to the Ramsey house to sit and think. This time, though, he bumped into the Ramseys themselves, who were staying with nearby neighbors.
Smit and the couple waved to one another, and both parties pulled over. After some chatting, John asked Smit if he would pray with them. Smit suggested they do it inside his van. Smit said Ramsey's prayer was to the point: I pray that someday this nightmare will end and we will find the killer of our daughter. Smit then wrote up a report of the encounter.
-Another situation was described by Hodges who wrote about JRs ascent in Access Graphics. Paraphrasing a bit - Of the three companies, John brought the fewest clients to the merger and was originally named vice president of sales. Shortly into the venture, John and the other junior person in a two-on-one power play moved the older man aside. Then is a follow-up maneuver, equally as slick, John arranged for his contemporary to be scapegoated as the ruthless one for moving the old bull out of the waywhile John gained support from the rest of the companys power structure. John Ramsey was named company president in 1991.
-JR tells Gary Mann in his book DOI that he did not see it coming his job would end. From some Boulder comments of long ago, allegedly several employees at Access Graphics claimed that it was well-known within the company that JR would not have a job after January 1, 1997. This is before JBs death. In fact in the spring of 1996 the old bull described in the situation of JRs ascent in AG was brought back by LM to handle the European and Canadian territories of AG.
And at the time of the crime there were plenty of instances of leading people to reach certain conclusions.
- A broken window. JR leads FW to view, note and, he may hope, tell the detectives. A second party disclosure gives more credibility.
- When his older kids showed up at the home, whatever he said had to have led JAR to conclude the perpetrator should be forgiven. One assumes he hinted that the underage male in the home had done something.
- To Detective Arndt he states, It was an inside job when he places JB on the floor. If he is wanting to point to someone on the inside, it is handy to consider this person had a key and may have needed money. The detectives followed these suggestions to the housekeepers door.
-That night at the F home, JR is heard saying, Im sorry, Im sorry. When asked why, he said because he didnt protect JB. JR leads his friends to know that he felt terrible he did not protect JB. However, usually people dont apologize in immediate aftermath of a home invasion and killing as to what they didnt do. They are angry at a killer. Or terrified. Who knows what impression his friends had of this apology.
And I can only draw the most obvious conclusion that JR wants those personally close to him, like Rev. Holverstock and his older kids, to grasp the underage male was involved. Yet with the authorities he seems to help build suspicion towards Santa, the housekeeper, folks like JM, a disgruntled employee.
My takeaway is that JR was pretty good at manipulative deception. Way before he purportedly discovered JB at 11:00 am, he has mentally calculated how to use a broken window, a suitcase, the housekeepers knowledge of the home, etc., to his advantage. As I said, just my impression.
