Posted on 08/17/2006 1:41:53 PM PDT by Arec Barrwin
Legal analyst: Break in Ramsey case could be hoax
DENVER (KUSA) - 9NEWS legal analyst Scott Robinson believes there are still too many questions about the suspect, John Mark Karr, to feel confident about conviction.
“In this particular case when you have an uncorroborated confession, I think it’s good to be cynical and to be skeptical,” Robinson said. “The suspect seems to be ducking questions about his connection to the Ramsey family… how the little girl came to be in the basement with him in the first place.”
Robinson believes one thing is clear, however. This is the biggest development in the case so far.
“This is either the break that we have all been waiting for, or the biggest hoax that’s ever been perpetrated in the JonBenet Ramsey case, a case that has had its share of wacky people involved in it.”
However, DNA evidence could make this an open and shut case in a very short period of time.
“If they can tie [Karr] to the Ramsey home, or to any of the physical evidence at the scene… the case is pretty much done and over,” Robinson said.
“These days you can get a presumptive DNA test done in a day if you have good tissue and certainly a definitive result in a week. So we will know pretty soon if there is a DNA match,” Robinson explained after being asked how long it might take to get this evidence evaluated.
The problem Robinson is concerned with is what happens if the DNA evidence is inconclusive.
“His father says this is a young man who became obsessed with the case and wrote about it for a college paper. That sets the stage for a potential defense that [Karr] didn’t commit the crime, he’s just obsessed with it.”
Will the various issues with compromised evidence and crime scene have a major impact on the outcome of the case? Robinson believes it may help the prosecution as much as it could help the defense.
“That’s a sword that cuts both ways. For those advocating his guilt, perhaps that’s why his DNA was not found at the scene, because the scene was hopelessly compromised in the first few moments of the investigation.”
When asked if he believed the day of an arrest would ever arrive, he responded with conviction.
“Never! Ever! It’s an extraordinary development,” Robinson said. “What we are looking at here is either: the biggest break ever in the JonBenet Ramsey case, or the biggest hoax since the young girl’s body was found in the basement.”
From our sister station KUSA-TV in Denver, All Rights Reserved
The problem with a 10 year old case like this is what exactly is there that "only the killer" could know. For one thing they really mean "only the killer and the cops" because if the cops didn't know it then how can they know it's true when the confessed killer says it. For another lots and lots of cops have been on this case for various lengths of time and at least some of them (by pure statistical reality of how people are) have blabbed something they probably shouldn't have. I certainly hope that he's the guy and they've got enough evidence and he fries, but the whole Alabama thing makes me think it's probably none of the above.
Well, it's too late for that now.
susie
Guy on another thread had a very plausible idea: you're a pedophile in a Thai jail. Not liking the idea of spending years in a Third World jail, you make up a story so you can be extradited to the US.
He was not in jail in Thailand.
Thailand?
I rush to cynical judgement, because that's usually the shortest route to the truth ;)
He was arrested at his apartment.
Lamont is going to lose if you believe polls. Those DUer's have no concept of reality.
I am starting to have some doubts. He is probably mentally ill.
It is all very strange, but we don't know what evidence has been withheld in the case.
Investigators should give him a polygraph test administered by the FBI. Even though its not admissible in court, its still very accurate and it can give investigators a picture whether he is telling the truth or not.
Your right on that point.
That would be as useful as flipping a coin.
No disrespect, just have no confidence in polygraphs.
Polygraph exams are used by the CIA and the FBI to look for spies. Even though it is not a "flawless", to does give an indication whether he is telling the truth. Remember, OJ Simpson was given a polygraph exam and he flunked it but that was not allowed in court.
If administered by a professional law enforcement official trained in using polygraphs they can be helpful. Polygraphs are used by law enforcement and corporations every day somewhere in the USA.
There are three primary problems with a polygraph:
1 truly skilled liars that can keep an even keel can beat them
2 truly delusional people that think they're telling the truth won't cause it to tick
3 people that are scared about the fact that they're even facing a polygraph will fail them miserably when simply giving their name and DOB
They really aren't that useful.
Its better than the other option: Sodium Pentathol which can lead to severe after effects.
Exactly, just an expensive blood pressure machine.
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