JonBenet Confession Under Scrutiny

Suspect's Statements Compared To Other Claims, Facts In 1996 Murder

(CBS/AP) 
A source described the e-mails to CBS News as "hair-raising — to see what he'd done, or contemplated doing, to children." And an FBI source tells Moriarty that Karr once wrote an e-mail to Patsy Ramsey saying he was sorry and that her daughter did not suffer.

Karr will be taken within the week to Colorado, where he will face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child sexual assault, Ann Hurst of the Department of Homeland Security told a news conference in Bangkok. Karr was given a mouth-swab DNA test in Bangkok, according to a law enforcement official, and will be given another DNA test when he returns to the United States, the official said.

"I was with JonBenet when she died," Karr told reporters Thursday, visibly nervous and stuttering as he spoke. "Her death was an accident."

Asked if he was innocent of the crime, Karr said: "No."

---

Read a statement from John Ramsey,
JonBenet Ramsey's father.

---

As Karr was escorted to his guesthouse by U.S. and Thai authorities to pick up his belongings, he told the AP: "I am so very sorry for what happened to JonBenet. It's very important for me that everyone knows that I love her very much, that her death was unintentional, that it was an accident."

Asked what happened when JonBenet died, he said: "It would take several hours to describe that. It's a very involved series of events that would involve a lot of time. It's very painful for me to talk about it."

Dressed in a baggy turquoise polo shirt and khaki pants, Karr said that JonBenet's death was "not what it seems to be," though he declined to elaborate. "In every way," he added, as authorities bundled him into a waiting vehicle, "it's not at all what it seems to be."

Some feared the case would never be solved — and as investigators failed to produce suspects, some suspicion fell on the girl's parents, John Ramsey and his wife, Patsy, who died of ovarian cancer in June.

Karr had been in Thailand five times over the past two years, arriving most recently in Bangkok on June 6 from Penang, Malaysia, Suwat said. He was looking for a teaching job in Thailand, Thai police official Lt. Gen. Suwat Tumrongsiskul Suwat said.

Suwat told reporters that Karr insisted his crime was not first-degree murder.

"He said it was second-degree murder. He said it was unintentional," Suwat said. He said Karr told Thai interrogators that he picked up JonBenet at her school and brought her to the basement. "He said he loved this child, that he was in love her. He said she was very pretty, a pageant queen. She was the school star, she was very cute and sweet."

The Thai officer quoted the suspect as saying he tried to kidnap JonBenet for a $118,000 ransom but that his plan went awry and he strangled her to death.

Karr's ex-wife said he often spent time reading up on the cases of Ramsey and Petaluma, Calif., resident Polly Klaas, who was abducted and slain in 1993. She also said she does not believe that her husband committed the crime.

His father told The Denver Post that while Karr was in college as an adult, a professor encouraged him to write a book about the Ramsey case after being impressed with a school paper.

"He researched everything he could about her," Wexford Karr said.

Hurst said Karr, who had traveled extensively across the world, may also be connected to a prior case in California's Santa Rosa County. She did not provide further details.

Asked how long he had been a suspect, she said, "A long time. I can't say specifically."

[lori2c]

Only the DNA is going to prove him innocent or guilty. The ex-wife has stated his interest in the case for many years and I am sure he did a lot of reading and research that has made him an "expert" on the information. If he is such an expert, then why is he blabbing so much incorrect information. His mannerisms, personally struck me as being homosexual. The way he walked around with the police officers was almost a "too cooperative" way. He has a very flat affect. It seemed to be an act. He was acting in a way that a possible murder suspect would act, but yet he was'nt. Very expressionless. No doubt he is guilty, but guilty of what? Guilty of being odd, weird, a pedafile, ***, a murderer? Who knows. I was so happy when I heard they made an arrest in this case, but now I really do not know. I know DNA results have to be in by this time, but the results and much more information are not being released at this time. Have you read where he now has admitted to killing Natalie Hollaway?

lori2c

[threehorses1]

I really think that cjmorgan7's post (12:09 AM : Aug 18, 2006) nailed it. He's done enough research that it's possible that he picked up on information that was supposedly not publicly available. How many screwups have their been on this case? I don't believe that the information is quite as unobtainable as they would have us believe. So he drops some info he got from one of his interviews or his research, pleads he is insane (hey - pretty convincing, no?).

Also there are no charges in Taiwan. He was arrested 'before he could do anything'.

Yes, he's sick - but I think it's a different sort of sick than being presented.

[ldiane3]

Look at the press coverage this guy is getting. For what? possibly murdering a defenseless little girl? That shows how sick society itself is. This guy looks more demented then the murderer or a little girl. I do not think he did it. He is just looking for some sort of sick fame, and if you think about it - he is getting exactly what he wants.

LDiane3

[oriestes]

Karr's appearance made me think twice I was not convinced that he was the person that killed this innocient little girl. Karr looked catatonic as if he is on some kind of a drug to calm him down and control him.I believe he has some type of psychosis and has feelings of grandious where he really believes that he is the one that killed this little girl. There is a danger here where law enforcement is not acting with respect for a person who is possibly mentally.I believe Karr is in need of help. Karr is fairly good looking so it is easy to think that he will be a great teacher I can see school officials not to think anything is wrong with him teaching young children. When I first saw him in front of the camera's I knew that his movements were not normal movements they seemed slow and un natural almost "robot like". There are people who are able to function and appear to be normal but are mentally ill.

I feel that the parents have more clues about the murder everytime I saw them on tv they did not appear to be sad and upset after their daughter was murdered they were always trying to deny their involvement rather than to comply with the investigation. I hope that this man mr karr is given some help and if he is a true pedifile Then he needs never to be allowed to be with children.

[SuppaPP]

I also beleive that John is mentally sick.
He is just like a dreamer.

But he did not say that he drugged the girl neither kidnapped her from her shcool.

There must be some missunderstanding if someone told the media that he said so.

DNA will tell everything.

If teh DNA taken from John doesn't match with the DNA taken from JonBonet's body...why they will try to take him back to the US ???

[gilderqueen]

Bwwwhaaahaaahaaa! He's the biological father?????? How far out do you want to go with a theory??? LOL
This guy is an over-the-top obsessive-compulsive looking to enjoy his 15 brief moments of fame. End of story.

[opinionated2]

What school did he supposedly pick her up from? Wouldn't she be on Christmas break? The day after Christmas.....I would think she be home with her family like most kids??????

[kbmeador]

Personally, I think this man is mentally ill and truly believes he did it. Maybe he had an obsession with JonBenet that only recently came to light. But I see too many holes right now to fully believe that even if this man DID commit this horrendous act, that he did it alone. I still hold firm to the fact that Patsy Ramsey did this and I still believe that she did it in a jealous, angry rage, fed up with all the attention the child required, even though that said attention was the creation of Patsy herself. I think John knew AFTER THE FACT.. and by that, I mean after the discovery of the poor girls body. But the fact he never came forward with it makes him just as culpable. I feel sorry for their son. That boy did not ask, nor deserve, the mess that his parents left at his doorstep. I pray JonBenet has peace. And I pray that, whether those of us who believe Patsy did this or was involved, or not, I pray that Patsy gets what is deserved in the afterlife.

[dougcl_79]

I still think the parents are the ones who did it, and were able somehow to get away with it. Why would you refuse a polygraph unless you had something to hide?

May Patsy Ramsey burn in hell

[Ruby38]

This story sounds ridiculous, I can't believe the media is focusing on this story, which will surely turn out to be a hoax from a mentally ill person. To think that there are missing people or other subjects that would benefit from some media coverage and so much time is being wasted on this wack job.

[patinflorida]

I also don't believe his confession. I believe he is an ill person who wanted to get back to the US and out of the grasp of the Thailand police. He is probably guilty of a crime there, or was contemplating committing one. I think he is physically ill as well as mentally ill. He just has that aura. I do believe he is a pedophile. I believe he wishes that he had committed the Jon Benet murder. His statements just don't quite fit the facts. Much of what he states has been information that was available to the public. Ultimately, I think he was just looking for a way back to the US. He assumes he will be cleared of the crime once he is back here.

[cjmorgan7]

I don't think Karr is guilty unless DNA proves otherwise. He's admitting to the crime for publicity reasons and to be able to claim insanity when he attends court for the pornography charge in California. He's plotted this over the years so when the time comes for his arrest and he gets apprehended for the California crimes. He will claim insane so he can get lessor time and not be sentenced for life in prison for the California crimes.

[cjmorgan7]

I don't think Karr is guilty unless DNA proves otherwise. He's admitting to the crime for publicity reasons and to be able to claim insanity when he attends court for the pornography charge in California. He's plotted this over the years so when the time comes for his arrest and he gets apprehended for the California crimes. He will claim insane so he can get lessor time and not be sentenced for life in prison ro the California related crimes.

Connie Morgan
Dallas, Texas

[kno-1]

Another thought comes to mind as well.

I am glad he is in custody. If DNA doesn't match Karr in the Ramsey case, I believe that the police are carrying out a grave injustice by using a cold and popular case as a ruse to utilize a new law that is in place which allows the US to prosecute child abuse crimes across international borders.

[kno-1]

Though I cannot completely trust the filtering and sound bites of news outlets. I do not believe the confession of Karr as seen in the edited footage.
It is my belief that, though Karr is a pedophile and likely has left many victims thru his travels (both in child brothels and students). I have grave doubts as to the validity of his confession. From an armchair detectives POV, Karr's body language does not sync up with the story he tells. Look at his eyes. You can tell that when answering questions (no matter from what direction) Karr looks down, then up to the top right as he formulates his answer. This is an involuntary reflex indicating the person is accessing the creative aspect of his brain. Excessive blinking (even when many flash bulbs go off, he doesn't blink but casts his eyes downward) upon answering the questions along with focused and subdued demeanor are other tell tale signs of lies.
When specific questions concerning unreleased crime details are asked, Karr reacts with slightly widen eyes and quick rigidity following with a "no comment." IMO, this as nervousness. You can also see that he even doesn't look to the left and up to access data recall of his brain before deciding if said data should be conveyed. Another involuntary reflex.

[indyperson]

ok, how is this for a scenario,
he could be the biological father.. both lived in same general area.... similar physical features, same coloring.
Maybe is wanted to see his child at Christmas?
Maybe he wanted to hurt the family that took his child?
I know it's a twisted thought, but... would make for one heck of a twist. I bet Movie deals are in the talks.

[indyperson]

ok, how is this for a scenario,
he could be the biological father.. both lived in same general area.... similar physical features, same coloring.
Maybe is wanted to see his child at Christmas?
Maybe he wanted to hurt the family that took his child?
I know it's a twisted thought, but... would make for one heck of a twist. I bet Movie deals are in the talks.

[indyperson]

ok, how is this for a scenario,
he could be the biological father.. both lived in same general area.... similar physical features, same coloring.
Maybe is wanted to see his child at Christmas?
Maybe he wanted to hurt the family that took his child?
I know it's a twisted thought, but... would make for one heck of a twist. I bet Movie deals are in the talks.

[tomflint69]

Dear brownclint, the ad never meant to get erection for child abuse or anything like that. CBS news understands better about public concerns before placing any ad than us. Ever imagine, how much CBSnews could earn per click on that ad :)

[rihan156]

John Mark Karr is not Sorry! Yes, he is the murderer, based on the details gathered from the detectives' comments, and his statements.

Why had he been rounded up only now? Did Paty know, before she died that he was the suspect the police was tracking down? If his identity was known at that time, with what he did before, weren't some way to arrest him for questioning?

Since his arrest, he is saying it was an accident, he loved her, and was sorry. This guy is not stupid:
1) He had been able to elude police for 10 years despite the clues he left for them; why did he use the word "neck" when he sent his message to Paty?
2) As soon as he had been apprehended, his defense was to say immediately, "it was an accident; I loved her." Clearly, he had been watching TV and following closely on the Taylor Behl case where the murderer used the same argument, and got away with it. Karr is now using a similar strategy to get away with as much as he can. I hope the investigators will make sure he does not succeed, at least on that.
3) Sorry? Noooo, he is not; he is enjoying the spotlight and think he won and is plotting a second volume of "Meine Kampf". Look at the body language with the chin high and the tight lips! Unlike Taylor Behl's murdered who would like to hide under the earth and was unsure on how he screwed it up and how it will work out, this one is convinced he can pull it out. I hope not, dude!

May he stay in a cell alone until he meets his last day!