s-david-cooper.htm


	A Personal view of the Internet Subculture Surrounding the JonBenet Ramsey Murder case

This web page is part of a series covering found materials regarding individuals, items or events that apparently became part of what is commonly known as the vortex of the JonBenet Ramsey murder case Christmas night 1996. The webmaster of this site claims no inside official Boulder police information as to who has been interviewed, investigated, the outcome or what information is actually considered official evidence. These pages outline found material which can include but not limited to materials found in books, articles, the Internet, transcripts, depositions, legal documents, Internet discussion forums, graphics or photos, media reports, TV/Radio shows about the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. Found materials are here for historical archive purposes. (www.acandyrose.com - acandyrose@aol.com)

This webpage series is for historical archive and educational purposes on found materials

Darrell Kirkwood

David Cooper of Orlando, Florida
aka “Hitman”
aka “Darrel Kirkwood”
of Shelbyville, Indiana

JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case
David Cooper aka “Hitman” aka “Darrel Kirkwood”

Individual

Date

Reference

Key ?

Gave Prints

Gave Blood

Gave Hair

Handwriting

Got DNA

Cleared or Alibi

David Cooper
(Orlando, Florida)
(aka Hitman)
(aka Darrel Kirkwood)
(Shelbyville, Indiana)
(Will Confess for $3000)

November 2000
03-20-2001

Reference
Star Article
websleuths.com
Texas1, MaskedMan

---

Alibi:
Was in
Westville Correctional Facility
Indiana

In March 2001 a man who said his name was David Cooper apparently telephone Boulder Police Chief, Mark Beckner and said, "I killed JonBenet Ramsey."’.The STAR REPORT of this incident was in 2001 but apparently this happened in the year 2000. Cooper never showed up at the Boulder Police station when Beckner told him to come there to turn himself in.

From the STAR article, “According to insiders, Cooper first contacted Rev. Rol Hoverstock, the pastor of St. John's Episcopal church - the Ramseys' church in Boulder, CO.” - “David was eventually given John Ramsey's unlisted phone number in Atlanta, private investigator Ollie Gray, who works for the Ramseys, tells STAR in an exclusive interview.” - “Gray says the self confessed killer then told Ramsey that David Cooper wasn't his real name before asking for $3,000 for airfare, so he could fly to Boulder with his parents and turn himself in.”

From the Star Magazine (March 20, 2001): ”David was eventually given John Ramsey's unlisted phone number in Atlanta, private investigator Ollie Gray, who works for the Ramseys, tells STAR in an exclusive interview. He called Mr. Ramsey and had three separate conversations. He told Mr. Ramsey that he was a hit man hired by a former employee of Access Graphics, Ramsey's company in Boulder." Cooper said he entered the Ramseys' $1.5 million home around 10:30 p.m. on December 25, 1996, shortly after the Ramseys returned from a Christmas party, gaining entrance through an unlocked door on the side of the house. His description matches the so called "Butler's Door" on the north side of the house, which was found slightly ajar by the police the next morning. Cooper claims he hid in a closet in the basement until the family went to sleep. Then he crept upstairs to JonBenet's bedroom, says Gray”.

Frank Coffman of Boulder, Colorado who posted on the Internet forums under the name of “MaskedMan” stated that, “The Ramseys' investigator turned this matter over to the Boulder Police last year, soon after "David Cooper" called John Ramsey.” So this incident happened in 2000 and not 2001 and it was a year later when “Team Ramsey” made this information public via the exclusive interview with Ramsey private investigator, Ollie Gray to the Star magazine.

As it turned out this David Cooper was really Darrel Kirkwood who was in an Indiana prison at the time of the murder. I am not sure how he got the nickname of “Hitman.” Below are some research postings and questions and answers on a thread from the www.websleuths.com forum.

RECAP OF INFORMATION ABOUT DAVID COOPER:

01. Cooper first contacted Rev. Rol Hoverstock, pastor of St. John's Episcopal church
02. Cooper was given John Ramsey's unlisted phone number in Atlanta
03. Cooper called Mr. Ramsey and had three separate conversations
04. He said he was a hit man hired by Access Graphics, Ramsey's company in Boulder
05. Claims he was hired by disgruntled ex-employees to commit the murder
06. Cooper called BPD Mark Beckner and said, "I killed JonBenet Ramsey."
07. Mark Beckner at BPD told Cooper to turn himself in but he never did
08. He said he entered home around 10:30 p.m. on December 25th AFTER Ramseys came home
09. Cooper said he entered through an unlocked door on the side of the house
10. Cooper claims he hid in a closet in the basement until the family went to sleep
11. He said he killed JonBenet, wrote ransom note, and unmatched DNA will match him
12. He said he exited via a basement window, he stepped on a suitcase to reach the window
13. Ollie Gray said Cooper identified three unique items in the house, not publicly known
14. Hitman told John Ramsey that David Cooper wasn't his real name
15. Hitman wanted $3,000 airfare, so he could fly to Boulder with his parents, turn himself in
16. John Ramsey refused to come up with the cash, he never heard from David Cooper again

17. MaskedMan: "He has been traced back to one Darrel Kirkwood who lives in Indiana"
18. MaskedMan: "Kirkwood spent 12 of his last 17 years in prison for check fraud
19. MaskedMan: "When Kirkwood was called, he was surprised to have been located
20. MaskedMan: "He wouldn't admit to being David Cooper, but he claimed to know him
21. MaskedMan: "Kirkwood even claimed to have had business dealings with John Ramsey
22. MaskedMan: "BPD did call Ollie Gray last November to get more information on David Cooper
23. MaskedMan: "Confirms that Darrel Kirkwood aka David Cooper was in prison 12-25-1996:
24. MaskedMan: "Darrel Kirkwood was in prison in Indiana from early 1996 through 1997
25. MaskedMan: "His crimes include auto theft, forgery, fraud, fraud on a financial institution.

26. Hitman story in March 20, 2001 Star Magazine with exclusive interview with Ollie Gray
27. Indiana Corrections confirm Kirwood in Westville Correctional Facility on date of the murder

CHAIN OF EVENTS 2001

2001-03-20: Star Magazine - "Hit Man: I killed JonBenet!"

The Star 3/20/01: Hit Man: I killed JonBenet!

Caller claims he murdered tiny tyke in sinister revenge plot

A professional killer has confessed to the murder of little pageant princess JonBenet Ramsey, STAR has learned.

A man calling himself David Cooper claimed he was hired by one of John Ramsey's disgruntled ex-employees to commit the horrific Christmas Day 1996 killing of the child, 6, sources say.

Cooper stunned Boulder, CO police chief Mark Beckner with his stark declaration in a phone call: "I killed JonBenet Ramsey."

A source described Chief Beckner's response: Beckner couldn't believe his ears when the calm voice explained that he was responsible for the most notorious murder in recent times.

Caught completely off guard, Beckner told Cooper to turn himself in. He never did.

According to insiders, Cooper first contacted Rev. Rol Hoverstock, the pastor of St. John's Episcopal church - the Ramseys' church in Boulder, CO.

The self proclaimed hit man told the minister he wanted to unburden his soul directly to the Ramseys.

David was eventually given John Ramsey's unlisted phone number in Atlanta, private investigator Ollie Gray, who works for the Ramseys, tells STAR in an exclusive interview.

He called Mr. Ramsey and had three separate conversations. He told Mr. Ramsey that he was a hit man hired by a former employee of Access Graphics, Ramsey's company in Boulder."

Cooper said he entered the Ramseys' $1.5 million home around 10:30 p.m. on December 25, 1996, shortly after the Ramseys returned from a Christmas party, gaining entrance through an unlocked door on the side of the house. His description matches the so called "Butler's Door" on the north side of the house, which was found slightly ajar by the police the next morning.

Cooper claims he hid in a closet in the basement until the family went to sleep. Then he crept upstairs to JonBenet's bedroom, says Gray.

He says he killed JonBenet and wrote the infamous ransom note, and the unmatched DNA evidence will match him. Cooper added that after the murder, he exited through a basement window, telling Mr. Ramsey that he stepped on a suitcase to reach the window.

"Police found a suitcase under the basement window the next day."

According to the family's private eye, Ramsey tested Cooper's credibility by asking him to describe the inside of the house. Gray says the man passed with flying colors, mentioning three unique items in the house that had never been publicly revealed.

"Mr. Ramsey didn't ask specifics about how he committed the crime, but he did ask about the motive," says Gray.

"David Cooper said he was hired to kill JonBenet by a former employee who felt John 'screwed him over.'

Cooper even gave the name of a former employeee who had never been associated with the murder. Mr. Ramsey recognized the name.

Gray says the self confessed killer then told Ramsey that David Cooper wasn't his real name before asking for $3,000 for airfare, so he could fly to Boulder with his parents and turn himself in.

But when Ramsey refused to come up with the cash, he never heard from David Cooper again.

Investigator Gray and the Ramseys' attorney, Lin Wood, believe there are a number of intriguing aspects to Cooper's story, and are anxious for the police to follow through.

They've placed numerous calls to detectives, trying to spur the police into action.

But insiders in Colorado say the cops don't give the caller's confession one ounce of credibility.

"If an enemy of John was going to hire at hit man, it would be to kill him, not his first grade daughter," says a source.

"And it's just as unlikely that a real hit man would have a crisis of conscience and want to confess to the family of a victim."

But parents John and Patsy, 44, insist this lead is legitmate.

On a recent Today Show appearance, their lawyer Lin Wood expressed doubt that the Colorado cops took the confession seriously.

"We presented information to Police Chief Mark Beckner about an individual who confessed involvement in the crime," Wood told Katie Couric. "And what did Mark Beckner do? Nothing! They don't consider anyone under suspicion unless its John and Patsy Ramsey. That's where they've been looking since day one."

CRAIG LEWIS

2001-03-12: Postings from the River's forum at www.websleuths.com
From thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

“MORE about Hitman?”
Texas 1 (1138 posts)
12-Mar-01, 11:29 PM (CST)

Jacques...You posted..

"If Hitman was going to call the Ramseys, why didn't the private investigators try to trace the call?"

Who is to say that the investigators did NOT trace the call and know more about the 'hitman' than the Star story? Even IF the investigators, or Ollie Gray, traced the person that did the phoning, would the name of that person be included in that story? I think not with the 'Libel Suits' that are being filed...EVEN if that person can be traced to a REAL name, only the BPD can follow thru on investigating that person. How much could a Ramsey investigator do in checking this person's past? Could Ollie Gray get a DNA sample, or could Ollie Gray get a handwriting sample, or could Ollie Gray find out where SAID phoner was the night that the murder took place? NAH.....It would be up to the BPD even IF Ollie Gray had a name of said 'phone hitman'......

I am hoping MM will add to this post, but I think not! He has the 'Rest of the Story'.....

2001-03-13: MaskedMan posts that David Cooper is really Darrel Kirwood from Indiana
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

From thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”
MaskedMan (856 posts)
13-Mar-01, 00:19 AM (CST)

1. "RE: MORE about Hitman?"

Tex,

Thanks for notifying me about your thread. I am reluctant to post anything, but for the sake of clarification, here goes. . .

The man who called himself "David Cooper" used a false name. He has been traced back to one Darrel Kirkwood who lives in Indiana. Kirkwood is a career criminal who has spent 12 of his last 17 years in prison for check fraud and other such crimes. I suspect that he was trying to con the Ramseys out of money. When John Ramsey refused to send money to him, the man stopped calling.

I don't think Kirkwood is a hit man. According to one of his relatives, he was in prison in December 1996, so he wouldn't have been killing anyone in Colorado at that time. Most likely, he's a con artist. He put on a good act. He was able to establish some credibility by describing certain obscure objects in the Ramseys' Boulder home. I don't know how he managed to do that, but I still don't trust his confession.

If he really wanted to confess and turn himself in, why did he use a false name and why did he ask for money? Why did he stop calling, and why didn't he turn himself in? When he couldn't get any money out of the Ramseys, he disappeared. What does that tell you? Maybe, there's more to this guy than anybody knows, but so far, his behavior doesn't ring true. In any case, he really does exist.

2001-03-13: Barbara posts why is Lin Wood saying on National TV that BPD won't investigate this?
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

From thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”
Barbara (118 posts)
13-Mar-01, 07:27 AM (CST)

7. "RE: MORE about Hitman?"

If this man was in prison during Dec. 1996, why would they consider him a legitimate lead? Also, why then would Lin Wood, et al "slander" the BPD by announcing on National TV that they wouldn't do anything about it. Also, from Indiana to Atlanta....why the BPD? How would they be involved.

I can't help but wonder...Darnay, if you read this...maybe you could sue Lin Wood on the BPD's behalf for slander. Leading the public to believe the killer was calling, knowing full well he was in prison during Dec. 1996.

Just a thought

2001-03-13: MJenn posts all this took place in Indiana and Georgia then BPD can't capture this man
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
13-Mar-01, 03:06 AM (CST)
2. "RE: MORE about Hitman?"
LAST EDITED ON 13-Mar-01 AT 03:10 AM (CST)

Thanks, MM, for confirming that.

Now I have a legal quesion. If this con artist called from Indiana to defraud John Ramsey out of $3000, wouldn't that be a federal crime because of the Interstate Commerce Act? He used phone lines, and if John HAD gone along, just to catch the guy, then he would have to have used the US mail or wire transfer. That would bring in the FBI. So why wouldn't John make this effort, with all the lawyers and private detectives he has to help him do this, to catch this man--because of the little nagging question of the con "knowing" some inside info that makes Ollie and Wood and even MM say there are some questions left open?

Since all this took place in Indiana and Georgia, Boulder PD would have nothing to do with the capture and questioning of this man in this particular instance of attempted fraud. I don't see how anyone can hang the mishandling of this on the BPD.

And I don't see how Wood and Ollie can bring this man up in yet another lame attempt to made the BPD look like the bad guys victimizing the Ramseys. If anyone dropped the ball here, it was John Ramsey and his TEAM.

John appears even more guilty in this story in that he seemingly wouldn't be bothered with it, something that makes his statements about hunting the killer for the rest of his life ring very hollow.

As for the info given to the BPD, if they did check out the con's prison record and found him to be in jail on Dec. 25, '96, which would take a couple of phone calls at the most, then what exactly are they being faulted for now? Not putting on a good enough show to suit Wood and the Ramseys in their neverending publicity spin?

Well, thanks Tex and MM for at least getting the straight skinny to us. If this info had been given in its complete form with the rest of the story, it would have at least shown the kind of crap the Ramseys have to deal on many levels, instead of making them look like they're just trying to create false leads to cover their guilt. I cannot believe they pay these people that make them look soooo bad.

2001-03-13: Willianna: "Here, we have John and Patsy insisting that this lead is legitimate"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Willianna (85 posts)
13-Mar-01, 06:55 AM (CST)

5. "Legitimate Lead?"

here's an excerpt from the "killer's confession article:"

But insiders in Colorado say the cops don't give the caller's confession one ounce of credibility...

But parents John and Patsy, 44, insist this lead is legitmate.

On a recent Today Show appearance, their lawyer Lin Wood expressed doubt that the Colorado cops took the confession seriously.

"We presented information to Police Chief Mark Beckner about an individual who confessed involvement in the crime," Wood told Katie Couric. "And what did Mark Beckner do? Nothing! They don't consider anyone under suspicion unless its John and Patsy Ramsey. That's where they've been looking since day one."

Here, we have John and Patsy insisting that this lead is legitimate, and Lin Wood complaining that the BPD didn't take the confession seriously (thereby implying that Lin Wood takes the confession seriously) If this man is known to have been in prison in December of 1996 what does touting this as a legitimate lead tell us about the Ramseys guilt/innocence?

MM, thanks for this info...do you know when these telephone conversations took place and if they were taped or not?

Thanks ~ Willi

2001-03-13: MaskedMan: "Ramseys' investigator turned this matter over to Boulder Police last year"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
13-Mar-01, 06:26 AM (CST)

3. "MJenn, more details"

MJenn,

Thanks. I understand what you're saying and you raised some good questions. But the situation is a little different than you imagine. The Ramseys' investigator turned this matter over to the Boulder Police last year, soon after "David Cooper" called John Ramsey. Ollie Gray then backed off because he didn't want to be accused of interfering with a police investigation.

Now, it appears that "David Cooper" is actually an ex-con named Darrel Kirkwood, living with his mother in Indiana. I think he was probably trying to run a con on the Ramseys, but that's just my opinion. I'm not positive. But why would Cooper/Kirkwood need so much money ($3,000) for air fare to fly to Boulder?

He claimed that he needed that amount of money because he wanted to take his parents with him when he surrendered to the police in Boulder, but that's still too much money for air fare. Plus, he gave a phony name for his alleged parents. He lied, so how can we believe anything he said? He never surrendered to the police, so his whole story is doubtful.

He stopped calling after John Ramsey turned down his request for money. That suggest a scam. "David Cooper" was taken somewhat seriously because he knew about certain objects in the Ramsey house. I don't know how he could name those things. It's puzzling. There are still unanswered questions about this guy.

2001-03-13: Camper asks in a post, "Can you tell us the category of objects that he knew about?"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Camper (1325 posts)
13-Mar-01, 06:41 AM (CST)

4. "MM Question"
LAST EDITED ON 13-Mar-01 AT 06:50 AM (CST)

Can you tell us the age of 'Kirkwood aka David Cooper'?

Can you tell us the category of objects that he knew about without naming them specifically?

Can you tell us if he ever lived in Boulder?

When and if he ever worked for part of his living, what did he do?

Thank you very much.

My thoughts are rambling on this extra view of things. With the mobility of Americans, this fellow should have been questioned up the ying yang. It appears he knows some things through some means of discovery, either by another person, or prison skuttlebut or?

2001-03-13: Jacques posts if this guy knew objects in the house why didn't Rameys lure guy in?
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Jacques (385 posts)
13-Mar-01, 07:19 AM (CST)

6. "RE: MM Question"

Tex and MM. Okay, so maybe this guy is a con artist. But if he is a suspicious person (knew objects in the house) and poor Burke is still in the family, let's not forget him) why didn't the R's try to lure the guy in privately? If they suspect the BPD of framing them, why not go it alone?

What's $3,000 to multimillionaires who desperately want any small clue in the case.

MM, maybe you're suggesting that there was a BPD attempt to get him in but it wasn't in the Star. I can accept that, except that ever since the libel suit, suspicious persons having been popping up like crocuses in the snow. How long did JR keep him on the phone? Let's say the guy was calling from a stolen cell phone. Even that can be traced - where the phone was lost -other calls made on it.

So much information has leaked on this case I'd be skeptical about the objects until I knew what they were. Nedra could have talked to someone who talked to someone, or the moving people were paid off. A very famous person is a poor pick to con because every authority is following this case. Hitman would be better off selling insurance to seniors in Palm Beach. $3,000 is not much for a week's con work.

If Hitman is a suspect, what happened to Porn Man and Jail Man, who Singular said was sitting in a jail just waiting to tell the cops what he knows about people involved in the homicide?

How come the Star isn't reporting on that?

2001-03-13: Cutter asks "Shouldn't it have been a red flag because the real Cooper was in jail?"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Cutter (772 posts)
13-Mar-01, 08:35 AM (CST)

8. "MaskedMan"

Any idea how this guy Kirkwood got the name and MO of a real sexual criminal to use in his phone calls?

Shouldn't it have been a red flag because the real Cooper was in jail at the time, or did the Ramseys see this as just another propaganda opportunity to make themselves look innocent...

“In the second case, involving David Cooper, justices will decide how to determine the length of parole terms for sex offenders who committed their crimes between July 1, 1996, and Nov.1, 1998. Cooper's case has been consolidated with two similar cases, and a third similar case will be argued at the same time.”

“Cooper was accused of cutting a woman with a machete, stripping her and raping her on July 28, 1996. He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of mandatory parole.”

http://www.bouldernews.com/news/statewest/11lsexm.html

2001-03-13: LovelyPigeon: "Follow up how this man learned of details on the house seems necessary"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

LovelyPigeon (95 posts)
13-Mar-01, 09:10 AM (CST)

9. "thank you, MaskedMan"

Your information is always appreciated.

It appears the Ramsey investigators or some law enforcement agency were able to track the caller to his location and find out who he was.

Follow up by the BPD on how this man learned of "details" about the house at the time of the crime seems necessary, if it hasn't already been done.

This man may have learned the details from someone close to the case & familiar with the inside of the house, or someone who actually knows information about the murder.

2001-03-13: Nandee posts airfare "Price: 3 adults @ USD 1820.25 each Total: USD 5460.75"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Nandee (1494 posts)
13-Mar-01, 11:52 AM (CST)

10. "BS"

LAST EDITED ON 13-Mar-01 AT 12:05 PM (CST)

Another chapter in the book of Ramsey Fables!

Indianapolis, IN (IND) to Boulder, CO (WBU) No Adavance Purchase

Price: 3 adults @ USD 1820.25 each Total: USD 5460.75

** JMHO **

2001-03-13: MaskedMan post BPD was involved because David Cooper called Mark Beckner
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
13-Mar-01, 12:33 PM (CST)

11. "answers to questions"

Some posters have asked some good questions. I don't have all the answers, but....

* Barbara asks why the Ramseys took "David Cooper" seriously if he was in prison in Dec. 1996. They didn't know he was in prison. They had no information about him when he called. I don't know for certain that he was in prison at that time. As I said above, one of his relatives says that he was in prison at the time, but no one else has yet verified that claim.

* Why were the Boulder Police involved? Because the man (who called himself only "David"} telephoned police chief Mark Beckner. "David" confessed. Beckner told him to come on in, but David never showed up in Boulder.

* I don't know whether "David Cooper" has ever been in Boulder. There are good reasons to believe that Cooper is actually an ex-con named D. Kirkwood of Shelbyville, Indiana -- but that hasn't been proved. Kirkwood denies that he is David Cooper, but he claims to know him and to know that he's a hit man, blah-blah-blah. Kirkwood's fishy answers suggest that he and Cooper are actually the same person. The Boulder Police haven't investigated this guy very much, if at all.

* What does Kirkwood do for a living? He's a crook. I don't know whether he does anything else for a living.

* Cutter asks "how this guy Kirkwood got the name of a real sexual criminal "? Good question, I don't know. Maybe just a coincidence ??

Thanks, Lovely Pigeon. I know you are a diligent and faithful follower of the facts in the Ramsey case. The main reason to take this guy seriously was that he knew three objects in the Ramseys' house. But he might have gotten that information in some indirect way. If he was merely trying to con the Ramseys out of money, it was a very strange, risky scam for a relatively small sum. But he couldn't be ignored.

2001-03-15: Camper posts why didn't Cooper just call Enquirer and get the million dollar reward
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Camper (1325 posts)
15-Mar-01, 03:08 PM (CST)

44. "RE: answers to questions"

Or better yet why didn't he call the Enquirer line and confess and get the million dollars instead of $3,000 from John Ramsey?

2001-03-14: MaskedMan: "When Kirkwood was called, he was surprised to have been located"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
14-Mar-01, 00:12 AM (CST)

17. "Makai and Chatter"

Makai,

I don't know how "David Cooper" knew what he knew. HE would have to explain that. When Kirkwood was called, he was surprised to have been located. He was evasive and made strange remarks. He wouldn't admit to being David Cooper, but he claimed to know him and to know about hit men. Kirkwood even claimed to have had business dealings with John Ramseys. He was lying, I presume.

Sissi may be right that "Cooper" met someone who gave him some personal information about the Ramseys.

Chatter,

On Dec. 25, 1996, Joe Barnhill saw an unidentified man walk up to the Ramseys' house, but Joe didn't watch the man to see where he went. Joe didn't see him go into the Ramseys' house. This occurred in the afternoon, many hours before the murder, so it may be unrelated. Joe doesn't attach any significance to what he saw that day.

2001-03-14: MJenn posts asking MaskedMan "Who" identified and called Kirkwood?"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
14-Mar-01, 03:34 AM (CST)

18. "An old familiar tune...."

And one which you sing a lot yourself, MM, so I hope you understand that we MUST ask, even it you can't answer: sources, please? "Who" identified and called Kirkwood? That's the BURNING QUESION in my mind.

And since Lin Wood accused the BPD of not following up on this, do you know if anyone talked with the Acess G ex-employee to question him/her about this?

And thanks for sharing all of this, MM. I know we ask a lot and test a person's generosity to the limit. Our only excuse is that if we weren't persistant, we wouldn't still be here.

2001-03-14: MaskedMan posts that a "reporter" called Kirkwood
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
14-Mar-01, 10:23 AM (CST)

23. "RE: An old familiar tune...."

MJenn,

A reporter called Kirkwood.

2001-03-14: Camper: "An person on the home tour, could mentioned the items, if they were unusual"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Camper (1325 posts)
14-Mar-01, 06:29 AM (CST)

19. "RE: An old familiar tune...."

My question about the category of obscure items was not addressed. With all of the home tours, with countless people trooping in and out and seeing the home. Perhaps 'obscure' items were on display. If the items were obscure perhaps they were also most interesting and added interest to a 'tour'

Then the service people, who came in and out. The shower that flooded upstairs and the man who came to clean up the mess. I assume it was a 'plumber' plumbers can work almost anywhere with updating of their plumbing credentials. This type of service individual would have had visual access to normally non accessible portions of the home. Again if the items were obscure were they also 'unusual' in appearance and would catch a persons eye. Plumbers are in a lot of peoples homes. Plumbers come from all sorts of backgrounds, and have all sorts of friends in other walks of life.

Depending on where the obscure items were located in the home would give a clue on the type of service person, or person, who would have had access to that particular part of the home that would have enabled them to 'see' the obscure items.

An individual taking the home tour, could have mentioned the items, if they were unusual. That is why I did ask the question of the 'category' of the specific obscure items, and what part of the home in which each item was located. That would give a longshot start on who might have seen them, and/or if that particular part of the home was visible on a tour, or by a service person. How many obscure items were mentioned and was each item in a diverse part of the home?

Facts 'enlighten' one so that they may see.

2001-03-14: Maikai posts, "This sounds like a legitimate lead that needs to be checked out"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Maikai (28 posts)
14-Mar-01, 07:24 AM (CST)

21. "Thanks, MM...."

Do you have any idea why the BPD aren't pursuing this? There apparently is a name they could trace back to someone---someone that said he knew David Cooper---knew JR. It sounds like enough flags were raised that this guy knew things in the phone call.

Do you think this guy is going to try to get money out of the tabs for a story?

This sounds like a legitimate lead that needs to be checked out....even if a con---it still should be checked out. I don't get why the BPD would ignore it, in the least. God knows they spent enough ime running around the country trying to dig up dirt on the Ramseys.

2001-03-14: MaskedMan: "BPD did call Ollie Gray last November for information on David Cooper"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
14-Mar-01, 01:19 PM (CST)

25. "RE: Thanks, MM...."

The Boulder Police did call Ollie Gray last November to get more information about "David Cooper." The BPD took some interest. I think the police took a quick look and didn't think it was worth their time going into too deeply.

2001-03-14: Ivy: "man matching the sketch of the Ramsey burglar is in custody in Georgia?"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Ivy (180 posts)
14-Mar-01, 09:40 AM (CST)

22. "Suspect in custody?"
LAST EDITED ON 14-Mar-01 AT 09:48 AM (CST)

I'd swear that on one of the Denver news channels early this morning, it was reported that a man matching the sketch of the Ramsey burglar is in custody in Georgia. I haven't heard anything more about it. I'd left the TV on all night and was just waking up when I heard the report. I opened my eyes just in time to see the sketch on the screen, so I'm sure I wasn't dreaming. Anyone else hear the report?

Edited to say...Oops, I posted this on the wrong thread. My post has nothing to do with Hitman. It's about the boogler who tied John in the john

2001-03-14: MJenn posts Atlanta PD knows of no arrest of Atlanta suspect in custody
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
14-Mar-01, 01:29 PM (CST)

26. "I hate it when that happens...."

Ivy, I've been all over the Net and can't find any reports of a suspect in custody. I even went to a Denver station news web site: no report, as of 2:00 pm ET, today, Wed.

I also called the Atlanta PD, ran around some to various numbers they gave me--it seems not having a suspect's name makes finding out if he is in custody a problem, but like I told them, if I knew his name, I'd be the news.

The upshot is that a public affairs officer/representative named Quigley told me (about 2 pm, ET) that he knew of no such arrest, and he would expect to have been told if there had been one made. He said he had actually checked up on this case just yesterday and nothing had developed at that time.

Since we're off the thread topic here, I'll just sneak off....

2001-03-14: MaskedMan posts link to confirm Darrel Kirkwood was in prison 12-25-1996
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
14-Mar-01, 02:07 PM (CST)

27. "Darrel Kirkwood's prison record"

Here is confirmation that Darrel Kirkwood (alias "David Cooper"?)was in prison in Indiana at the time JonBenet was murdered:

http://www.in.gov/serv/indcorrection_ofs?previous_page=1&detail=915378

2001-03-14: MaskedMan: Darrel Kirkwood was in prison in Indiana from early 1996 through 1997
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
14-Mar-01, 03:26 PM (CST)

30. "Kirkwood's crimes"

Darrel Kirkwood appears to have been in prison in Indiana from early 1996 through 1997. Evidently, he had no opportunity to kill anyone in Colorado in Dec. 1996. He is a career criminal. His numerous crimes include auto theft, forgery, fraud and "fraud on a financial institution."

I think one of his recent frauds was his attempt to get money from the Ramseys. At first, he told John Ramsey that his name was "David Cooper" of Orlando, Florida. But later, Cooper also identified himself as Darrel Kirkwood.

I still don't know how "David Cooper" managed to put on such a credible act. How did he possess accurate, specific information? He must have researched or talked to someone who had the information. It's unclear. Is it possible that Kirkwood was in contact with someone who has guilty knowledge of JonBenet's murder?

2001-03-14: MaskedMan: Darrel Kirkwood was in prison in Indiana from early 1996 through 1997
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
14-Mar-01, 03:18 PM (CST)

29. "IS this 'hitman'?"

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/InmateReleases/InmateForm.asp?From=list

This information was current as of 12/01/1999)

DC Number: 965097
Name: KIRKWOOD, DARRELL W
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE
Hair Color: BLONDE OR STRAWBERRY
Eye Color: BLUE
Height: 6'00''
Weight: 252
Birth Date: 06/15/1966
Release Facility: SANTA ROSA C.I.
Current Custody: MEDIUM
Release Date: 12/01/1999

2001-03-15: MJenn asked "Why didn't he (John Ramsey) have this man hauled in and interrogated"
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
15-Mar-01, 10:59 PM (CST)

46. "Arrest that sucker!!"

Excellent points. That's what makes John look bad in this whole thing. John had the power to have the guy arrested for attempted fraud and/or commission of a crime using federal wire services. Why didn't he have this man hauled in and interrogated to find out the very answers to these questions we all have? The much maligned and despised BPD wouldn't have even been involved in the arrest and charges. They could have sent a couple of detectives to explore the JB murder angle, and this "Hitman" issue could have been settled once and for all.

But John refused this opportunity for $3000? Patsy's face lift cost more than that.

All Wood has succeeded in doing is making the Rams look more guilty than ever. I'm even starting to sway in that direction. No parent of a murdered child behaves so carelessly with the safety of his family and the opportunity to get important info that could lead to the murderer. Unless he doesn't fear the killer because he knows who that person is and he doesn't want the truth known.

2001-03-15: MJenn: Tex, does this mean Kirkwood was incarcerated in Florida, then, in '99?
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
15-Mar-01, 06:41 AM (CST)

40. "Going back to Tex's post..."

But I don't know how to get there without jumping everyone else's posts, so I'm sticking this here....

Tex, does this mean Kirkwood was incarcerated in Florida, then, in '99?

MM said Kirkwood claimed to be calling John from Florida, which jives with this picture and info.

I HAVE TO SAY THIS: since this Kirkwood guy seems to stay out of jail just long enough to commit a few "NON-VIOLENT" crimes and get locked up for it, I don't think he'd really have the smarts to pull off JB's murder anyhow. This guy seems to leave plenty of identifiable evidence linking him to his crimes.

2001-03-15: Texas 1 is e-mailing Dept of Corrections in Florida on Kirkwoods incarceration
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
15-Mar-01, 02:29 PM (CST)

41. "MJenn..."

I have emailed the Dept of Corrections in Florida to see IF they will release any information about the time that Kirkwood was incarcerated there. I would think he would have had some type of supervision AFTER his release in 1999? If he returned to IN, would IN then take over the supervision?

IF Kirkwood did call John Ramsey, this statute would call that phone call Fraud...(a favorite pastime of Darrell?)

The 2000 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES Chapter 817
Fraudulent Practices View Entire Chapter

817.11 Obtaining property by fraudulent promise to furnish inside information.--No person shall defraud or attempt to defraud any individual out of any thing of value by assuming to have or be able to obtain any secret, advance or inside information regarding any person, transaction, act or thing, whether such person, transaction, act or thing exists or not.

History.--s. 1, ch. 8466, 1921; CGL 7308.

2001-03-15: MaskedMan: Darrel Kirkwood violated the law by trying to con money out of John Ramsey
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MaskedMan (856 posts)
15-Mar-01, 02:37 PM (CST)

43. "RE: MJenn..."

Tex,

Yes, I think Darrel Kirkwood violated the law by trying to con money out of John Ramsey. Kirkwood also made a false confession to police chief Mark Beckner. I think the authorities should go after Kirkwood, but so far, nothing has happened.

2001-03-15: Camper asks again why didn't Hitman call the Enquirer and confess, get the million dollars
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Camper (1325 posts)
15-Mar-01, 03:15 PM (CST)

45. "MM RE: MJenn..."

MM check out my post # 44 above.

Why did he not call the Enquirer and confess, and get the million dollar reward?

My question is what was hitmans focus, purpose, reason, for stirring up the case in the way that he did? Was he paid money from somewhere else to do his telephoning and programmed activity at a critical time in the case proceedings?

Did someone find him under rent a crook in the yellow pages, or just where would someone find a man like this to do such a thing, IF that is what happened. We are all guessing and speculating and wondering about, who, when and how come

2001-03-15: MJenn: And MM, what would the "false confession" fall under? A misdemeanor? Obstruction?
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

MJenn (699 posts)
15-Mar-01, 11:33 PM (CST)

47. "Wow! Double Wow!"

Excellent, Tex! I knew that this was a crime, and since he used interstate calls and, had the money been sent, would have used interstate commerce--bringing in the feds, I just can't figure out what in the world John was thinking in letting this guy off the hook.

And MM, what would the "false confession" fall under? A misdemeanor? Obstruction? How would the BPD prove it actually WAS Kirkwood? I guess they could do so more easily if John cooperated and included his phone calls from Kirkwood as evidence. Wonder what the chance of that is?

But then Camper--careful, you're outside the box, again--comes up with this very sneaky idea that Kirkwood could have been a paid plant? Oooohhh. Why does that make the hair stand up on the back of my neck?

Because that would be a really good way to nail whoever hired him for obstruction or some such crime. Noooo. That would be too easy. Nobody's that dumb. Are they?

But the law suits.... Darnay is out to prove that Patsy's the killer, therefore liable for slander and libel against Wolf and Pugh. That will be one nasty trial, with the Rams being deposed, with the Rams on the stand being cross examined--or even worse, taking the fifth. I know some people keep saying do Wolf and Pugh know what they're in for, but who cares about Wolf and Pugh? They didn't have a dead child found in their basement. The Rams will be the main attraction, center ring. They stand to lose millions.

Unless they can offer up some good rebuttals. Like handwriting experts saying Patsy didn't write the note. But I think any idiot can look at that note and see the similarities in language usage and the inside info, so add that to the experts Darnay will call saying Patsy did write the note, and that could carry the standard of proof in a civil trial.

So what's left? Giving the jury some other suspects. Bootman won't fly because his boots didn't match. No contact to collect the ransom and the body molested and murdered and left in the home, so the "faction" won't fly. No evidence to link the maid, the McSantas, or even Chris Wolf.

Voila! Hitman! Not arrested, not questioned by "the authorities," and if he has any sense, he'll be long gone by trial, if he's not dead. That man better watch his back.

And what about that mysterious "burglar"? I swear, I never thought John staged that, but now, I don't know what to think. The public affairs officer I talked with in Atlanta, just out of the blue said (approx.,) "We're treating this as a real robbery...the man reported it, and we're taking his word for it." Now, I never asked if they thought it was real. All I asked was if they had taken a suspect into cusody yesterday. He said not to his knowledge, blah, blah...and then the statement about how they were treating this as "real."

Yeah, the National Enquirer is headquartered right there in Florida, too. Kirkwood wouldn't even have broken parole by going out of state to collect his $1 million. Hmmmmmm.

Linda Arndt's law suit is coming up. Tom Miller's trail is coming up. The Wolf suit is coming up. Wood swears he going to file the suit against Thomas any day, and he's only got until the end of this month, right?

I'm putting my seat belt on...and wearing a crash helmet.

2001-03-16: Texas 1: Ollie Gray must have got approval BEFORE Ollie gave 'Hitman' story to the Star
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
16-Mar-01, 00:12 AM (CST)

48. "Well, MJenn, "

do ya think that the Ramseys are so naive that they just go along with whatever their latest lawyer wants to 'leak' to the media? Ollie Gray must be in contact with Lin Wood and gotten his approval BEFORE Ollie gave out the 'Hitman' story to the Star. Mebbe Lin needs to 'grow a brain'? The entire story is beyond reality....Is it only a 'crumb' to throw out to keep the Ramseys in the news as Darnay gets his 'side of the story' in the news?

The Star story was 'legitimatized' by using Ollie Gray as a source...Unfluckin' real! It makes John look like a 'worm that hasn't turned!'

Guess all we can do is 'Stay tuned...the rest of the story is yet to come.'

2001-03-16: Texas 1: Ollie Gray must have got approval BEFORE Ollie gave 'Hitman' story to the Star
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
16-Mar-01, 01:42 PM (CST)

55. "My email response"

from Indiana covered the wrong months....This is what was verified thru email and I sent another email that would include Dec 1996...

Your inquiry regarding Darrell Kirkwood was forwarded to this office for response. The Department of Correction can verify that Mr. Kirkwood was incarcerated in 1997. He was placed on parole 1-20-98 and discharged from his obligation 10-23-98.

Pam Pattison
Media and Public Relations Director
Indiana Department of Correction

This only confirms this..

Date of Sentence 03/10/1997
Facility/Location Discharge
Description FORGERY
Term in Years / Months / Days 04 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-2
Cause Number 20D01 8907 CF 51
County of Conviction ELKHART
Projected Release Date 10/23/1998

IF I am interpreting this correctly, his Projected Release date was MUCH later than his actual release date of 1-20-98...He was released on parole about 10 months sooner than his PRD..on 1-20-98 after serving about 10 months in actual jail?

Moving right along...

Date of Sentence 02/26/1996
Facility/Location Discharge
Description FORGERY
Term in Years / Months / Days 01 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-2
Cause Number 48D03-8908-CF-120
County of Conviction MADISON Projected Release Date 06/19/1997

IT can not be assumed that Mr. Kirkwood was in jail in Dec 1996..even though his Projected Release Date makes it appear that way. Was he released early on parole? This forgery charge was BEFORE the one in 1997 where Mr. Kirkwood only had to serve about half of his actual sentence behind bars...

2001-03-16: Texas 1: Where was he on Christmas of 1996? I tend to believe he was NOT incarcerated
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
16-Mar-01, 02:07 PM (CST)

56. "DUH?"

I can't believe I just realized that OF COURSE Kirkwood was RELEASED before his PRD of 6/19/97 as he was convicted of a Forgery charge on 3/10/97, three months BEFORE he was due to be released from his incarceration.....So, was he on parole and got 'busted' again for forgery? Where was he on Christmas of 1996? I tend to believe he was NOT incarcerated but on parole? Only his parole officer would know for sure? TIC

2001-03-16: Texas 1: "He was incarcerated in the Westville Correctional Facility on date of the murder.
River's Websleuths Forum, thread titled, “MORE about Hitman?”

Texas 1 (1138 posts)
16-Mar-01, 04:08 PM (CST)

61. "He WAS incarcerated on Dec 25/26, 1996"

My email to IN Corrections..

Thank you for the above response...My question was IF Darrell Kirkwood WAS incarcerated in Dec 1996? It is rumored that he has been connected to the JonBenet Ramsey murder case that took place on Dec 25/5, 1996... He 'purportedly' phoned the father of the murder victim with 'inside info' about the case....Hence, the original question of Mr. Kirkwood's incarceration in Dec 1996..

The email response....

He was incarcerated in the Westville Correctional Facility on the date of the murder.

IF anyone wants to confirm this email message from

Pam Pattison
Media and Public Relations Director
Indiana Department of Correction
PPattison@ coa.doc.state.in.us

Leave out the space AFTER the @...

Darrel Kirkwood’s Rap Sheet

This database was last updated 09/30/2006
http://www.in.gov/serv/indcorrection_ofs?previous_page=1&detail=915378

Indiana Department of Correction
302 West Washington Street
IGCS, Room E334
Indianapolis, IN 46204

This database was last updated 09/30/2006

DARREL W KIRKWOOD
DOC Number 915378
First Name DARREL
Middle Name W
Last Name KIRKWOOD
Suffix
Date of Birth 06/00/1966
Gender Male
Race White
Facility/Location Discharge
Earliest Possible Release Date *

*An offender whose projected release date falls
on a weekend or holiday will be released the first
working day prior to the weekend or holiday.

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 05/20/1991
Description FRAUD ON A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Term in Years / Months / Days 02 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-8
Cause Number 48D03-8908-CF-120
County of Conviction MADISON
Projected Release Date 08/23/1991

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 06/07/1993
Description AUTO THEFT, RECEIVING STOLEN AUTO PARTS
Term in Years / Months / Days 01 06 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-4-2.5
Cause Number 48D03-9112-CF-193
County of Conviction MADISON
Projected Release Date 03/31/1995

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 06/07/1993
Description FORGERY
Term in Years / Months / Days 02 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-2
Cause Number 48D03-8908-CF-120
County of Conviction MADISON
Projected Release Date 08/14/1994

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 12/18/1995
Description FRAUD
Term in Years / Months / Days 03 00 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-4
Cause Number 84D019510DF403
County of Conviction VIGO
Projected Release Date 04/24/1997

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 12/18/1995
Description FRAUD
Term in Years / Months / Days 03 00 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-4
Cause Number 84D019510DF403
County of Conviction VIGO
Projected Release Date 04/24/1997

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 12/18/1995
Description FRAUD
Term in Years / Months / Days 03 00 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-4
Cause Number 84D019510DF403
County of Conviction VIGO
Projected Release Date 04/24/1997

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 12/18/1995
Description FRAUD
Term in Years / Months / Days 03 00 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-4
Cause Number 84D019510DF403
County of Conviction VIGO
Projected Release Date 04/24/1997

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 02/26/1996
Description AUTO THEFT, RECEIVING STOLEN AUTO PARTS
Term in Years / Months / Days 01 00 00000
Type of Conviction FD
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-4-2.5
Cause Number 48D03-9112-CF-193
County of Conviction MADISON
Projected Release Date 01/18/1998

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 02/26/1996
Description FORGERY
Term in Years / Months / Days 01 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-2
Cause Number 48D03-8908-CF-120
County of Conviction MADISON
Projected Release Date 06/19/1997

=================================

Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 03/10/1997
Description FORGERY
Term in Years / Months / Days 04 00 00000
Type of Conviction FC
Indiana Citation Code 35-43-5-2
Cause Number 20D01 8907 CF 51
County of Conviction ELKHART
Projected Release Date 10/23/1998

=================================

2001-05-21: SMIT OFFERS `SUSPECT' LIST IN JONBENET SLAYING

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4946895,00.html
Rocky Mountain News (CO)
May 21, 2001

SMIT OFFERS `SUSPECT' LIST IN JONBENET SLAYING
Author: Todd Hartman
News Staff Writer
Edition: Final
Section: Local
Page: 5A
Index Terms:
MURDER INVESTIGATION SUSPECT SUICIDE
Estimated printed pages: 4

Article Text:

If an intruder killed JonBenet Ramsey, then who was it?

Two weeks ago, veteran detective Lou Smit went public with evidence of his intruder theory without identifying any suspects in the December 1996 murder.

But he and a Ramsey-hired investigator on the case say suspects are out there who haven't been thoroughly investigated by Boulder police.

They say they've interviewed friends, relatives and associates of potential suspects who Boulder police never talked to and have provided detailed leads that authorities haven't pursued.

``The only attention they are giving to any leads that come into them is to say `We've investigated them and eliminated them,' '' said Ollie Gray, who was hired by the Ramseys 16 months ago and works closely with Smit.

Boulder police would not respond to the accusation, but in the past have said they have thoroughly pursued every viable lead in the case.

Gray spent 25 years in law enforcement in Texas and California before becoming a private investigator. Smit, who handled more than 200 homicide investigations in the Colorado Springs area, was hired to help the Boulder district attorney with the case in early 1997. He quit 18 months later, saying he was concerned that authorities were wrongly zeroing in on the Ramseys.

Gray and Smit say authorities need to take a harder look at several possible suspects, including:

* A Boulder County man who committed suicide on Feb. 14, 1997, the day then-Boulder District Attorney Alex Hunter publicly announced to the killer: ``You will pay for what you've done to this beautiful little girl.'' Photos of the suicide scene show a stun gun near the body. Smit believes a stun gun was used on JonBenet. The dead man also owned Hi-Tec boots. A Hi-Tec boot print was found in mold growing on the basement floor near JonBenet's body.

In addition, a short video clip of a Channel 4 newscast was found amid his belongings. The May 1993 newscast began with the discovery of the body of Alie Berrelez, a 5-year-old who was kidnapped from her Englewood home and found dead four days later in a duffel bag in Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County. No one ever was charged in the case.

* A man who showed up at a memorial service for JonBenet a year after her death. The man has a criminal history, including the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl in Oregon, Gray said. Records indicate the man once tried to strangle his mother with a telephone cord. Around the time of the murder, he was getting food and picking up mail at a church near the Ramsey home. When arrested on an unrelated charge in December, officials found a stun gun and a poem about JonBenet in his backpack. Gray said Boulder police may be conducting DNA analysis on the man.

* A man living in a suburb east of Boulder who an informant said had a basement shrine to JonBenet. The shrine included a candy cane similar to the candy canes in the Ramsey's front yard at the time of the murder. The tipster also said the man owned stun guns. Gray said, to his knowledge, Boulder police have never contacted the tipster since Gray provided authorities with the information.

* A man who said he killed JonBenet in an e-mail last October to Gray, Ramsey attorney Lin Wood and John Ramsey, as well as in phone calls to John Ramsey. Gray said he believes the man is probably running a scam because he sought money as part of his contact. But he passed the information on to Boulder police anyway because the man knew intimate details about the Ramsey home that Gray didn't believe had been made public.

He said he provided Boulder police a 52-page document with leads last May and a follow-up document in October. Last month, Ramsey attorney Wood mailed Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner more information collected by Gray.

Boulder police already were aware of some of the names he provided, Gray said, but he urged further investigation. In some cases, he said, he has checked back with tipsters or friends and relatives of potential suspects only to find Boulder police never contacted them.

``I would question the thoroughness of their investigation and their actual effort to select other potential suspects, suspects with histories,'' he said.

Beckner didn't return a phone call seeking his response to the complaint. But in previous comments and press releases, Beckner has said Boulder police have investigated about 140 people as possible suspects - including more than 50 convicted sex offenders - and that the Ramsey investigation has taken detectives to 17 states.

In a recent interview with the News, Beckner didn't go into detail about progress in the investigation, describing it as stop-and-go. Some of it was simply waiting on laboratory tests, he said.

``Sometimes we get information on somebody, that somebody needs to be looked at,'' Beckner said. ``Somebody calls in information, then we have detectives investigate that. And it may develop into some more work that needs to be done. It kind of comes and goes based on what's going on at the time.''

In an April press release, the police department said it would not respond to Smit's intruder theory, adding, ``the case and development of evidence has changed significantly'' since Smit left his role with the District Attorney's Office in the fall of 1998.

In the release, the police said they had interviewed ``more than 600'' people in the case. In a June 1998 press release, the department said it had interviewed 590 people, suggesting investigators had talked to 10 or more people since the grand jury disbanded without an indictment in October of 1999.

Beckner has said publicly that the man who committed suicide was eliminated as a potential suspect. Police said the man's boots didn't match the print left in the Ramsey basement and his DNA didn't match the unknown DNA found under JonBenet's fingernails or in her panties.

Gray questions those conclusions.

He said police never have said exactly how the boots didn't match, and he said he interviewed two former girlfriends of the man who said they never spoke with Boulder police.

Gray said one of the women told him she had once become angry with the man because she found him naked under bedsheets with her young daughter on the covers above.

As for DNA, Gray asks why police would eliminate him on that basis but won't eliminate John and Patsy for the same reason. Their DNA doesn't match either, according to police.

``If (police) cleared him on DNA, that's fine,'' said Gray. ``Why not the Ramseys?''

LIB5

Memo:
Contact Todd Hartman at (303) 892-5048 or hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com.
Copyright (c) 2001 Rocky Mountain News
Record Number: 0105220016

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