A Must Read

From: RickAMorti1 Aug-19 5:58 pm
To: ALL (1 of 8)

2097.1

GLOBE: JONBENET WAS IT AN ACCIDENT?

FAMED FORENSICS EXPERT DR. HENRY LEE REVEALS SECRETS
OF TRAGIC CASE IN HIS NEW BOOK

BY DAWNA KAUFMANN

PICTURE: DR. LEE'S NEW BOOK JACKET "CRACKING MORE CASES"

synopsis

In a fascinating new book, master criminalist Dr. Henry C. Lee will reveal for the first time what he thinks happened in the JonBenet Ramsey case and why he believes the heinous crime will never be solved.

When the 6 year old pageant queen's body was discovered in her family's basement
Dec. 26th, 1996, Boulder, Colorado, cops were stymied. The girl's parents, John and Patsy, insisted an evil stranger must have entered their home and committed the murder. But there was scant evidence beyond a rambling ransom note demanding $118,000.

Two months later, Lee, who also hosts Court TV'S Trace Evidence series, was asked to assist in the complex case. In his upcoming book Cracking More Cases (Prometheus Books), co-written with Thomas W. O"Neil, the famed scientific ace will say he quickly learned that police made critical errors in the early stages of the investigation that, along with the absence of solid physical proof, created a compelling challenge.

After repeated visits with authorities and extensive study of the crime scene and laboratory materials, Lee claims to know as much about the forensic evidence in this case as anyone alive- except the murderer. Although he says he's still prepared to testify for the prosecution if and when there is a trial, he adds that the details he'll share in his book are startling.

"This is a frustrating case where nothing fits together," Lee tells GLOBE. "On the one hand, it seems like a kidnapping gone wrong because there is a ransom note left.

But why wouldn't the perpetrator take the victim if he hoped to collect the money?

"On the other hand, there are elements of a sexual attack. But is this really the work of a pedophile, or some bizarre staging? There is debate among the experts as to whether the sexual assault preceded the night of the child's death, whether a stun gun was used and why her hands were bound with loose cords."

Lee's book will explain that the unidentified DNA evidence in this case is insignificant because it could have been deposited in any number of innocent ways. He'll also examine the plausibility of the intruder theory and detail the 13 month grand jury probe, which ended in 1999. He'll admit he counseled then District Attorney Alex Hunter against handing down an indictment, saying the controversial decision ended Hunter's 28 year career, "But represented a profile in courage to me."

In CRACKING MORE CASES, Lee will contend, "The prosecution did not have nearly enough evidence to convict anyone of JonBenet's death beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet it seemed there was enough evidence to establish the probable cause level of proof needed to indict John and Patsy Ramsey of, at least, obstruction of justice."

In the book, Lee will go on to say, "The case's outcome reflects what our American system of justice is based upon-that a defendant must be considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

He'll also analyze JonBenet's fatal injuries.

"What is indisputable is that this beautiful little girl died dreadfully, with an enormous skull fracture to her skull and ligature strangulation," Lee says. "Was this a result of a horrific accident, rough horseplay or an argument turned violent? And who are all the possible suspects? These are the questions I keep asking myself."

In his book, Lee will conclude, "Unfortunately, the mishandling of the crime scene and lack of physical evidence have severely impeded the chances of ever solving this case. Only one or two people really know the facts and there is a strong probability that these individuals will never step forward and say what happened during the cold and dark hours after Christmas 1996. I find this very sad."





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