Ramseys cast suspicion on many in new book

BOULDER - In their newly released book, "The Death of Innocence," John and Patsy Ramsey lay out seven key pieces of evidence they say will help find their daughter's killer.

The 396-page book (Thomas Nelson, $24.95) was written almost exclusively by the couple and was not expected to go on sale until Friday. It was available briefly at some retail stores, including the Chinook Book Shop in Colorado Springs.

The book reveals no new significant information into the investigation, but does provide new details about the couple's experience. It also includes a 16-page photo insert.

Underneath a photo of 6-year-old JonBenet on the back of the book jacket, the couple writes: "We have patiently waited for the justice process to evolve in the matter of our daughter's death ... The time is appropriate to recount our experiences in this tragedy."

Thomas Nelson, a leading Christian book publisher, is releasing 300,000 copies of the first edition. The couple has done several interviews, including one with Barbara Walters that will air Friday on ABC's "20/20."

JonBenet was found dead in her home Dec. 26, 1996. A Boulder police investigation has focused on the couple, although the Ramseys repeatedly have denied involvement.

"What Patsy and I have lived through might go down in history as the first cyberspace lynching, administered electronically with a huge, anonymous mass of keyboards eager to shout out their accusations while knowing few facts about what actually happened to our daughter," John Ramsey writes.

In their book, the Ramseys cast suspicion on several people.

- former housekeeper Linda Hoffman-Pugh, whom they say needed money;

- former Access Graphics employee Jeff Merrick, about whom Ramsey writes, "He told people he would bring me and the company down to our knees ...";

- former University of Colorado journalism professor Bill McReynolds, whose wife, before the killing, wrote a play paralleling their daughter's death;

- and former Boulder County Business Report reporter Chris Wolf.

At least two of the Ramsey's targets said they would consider suing over the book after reading the details. The book also makes reference to others, but not by name.

John Ramsey also gives seven key pieces of evidence he writes can reveal the real killer.

- unidentified DNA found underneath JonBenet's fingernails and on her panties;

- cord and duct tape used to tie her up;

- unidentified hair found on JonBenet's blanket, which some say could be pubic hair;

- the ransom note;

- an Air Taser stun gun that should be traceable to the purchaser;

- an unidentified palm-print found on the cellar door where JonBenet's body was found;

- and, a hiking-shoe footprint, allegedly found near the body, is "clear and should further help identify the killer."

The couple writes that they hope to create an organization that will be funded by proceeds from the book. It would provide investigative resources, databases and awards "to both prevent violent crimes against children and to assist in the capture of child murderers."

The organization also would advocate legislation that would make the murder of a child younger than 13 years a federal offense.

Related books

Other books on the JonBenet Ramsey case include:

"Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: the Uncensored Story of the JonBenet Murder and the Grand Jury's Search for the Final Truth," by Lawrence Schiller

"Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? A Leading Forensic Expert Uncovers the Shocking Facts," by Cyril Wecht

"Presumed Guilty: An Investigation into the JonBenet Ramsey Case, the Media, and the Culture of Pornography," by Stephen Singular

"JonBenet: Inside the Murder Investigation," by Steve Thomas, with Don Davis, expected in April.

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