The ad on page 3B of the June 8 Boulder Daily Camera sported the terse diction and inconsistent capitalization of a ransom note -- but its text focused upon cracking cases, not commiting crimes. Beneath a heading that read, "The JonBenét Ramsey Murder Has Been Solved," the copy began:
"Download these ninety-one pages and learn how the so-called Perfect Murder and the so-called Crime of the Century was solved by a retired FBI agent • learn who killed JonBenét Ramsey • learn how JonBenét died • learn why the garrote was used and left at the crime scene • learn why and when the ligature marks were made • learn why and when the head injury was inflicted • learn why and when the stun gun marks were burnt into the child’s face • learn why and when the child’s hands were bound above her head • learn why and when the strip of duct tape was placed across her mouth • learn why and when the abrasions to her face were inflicted • learn why a blanket taken from the dryer was covering her dead body • learn why her favorite nightgown was beside her body • learn why the door was locked to the basement room that contained her body • learn how and why the 'Big Show' was created • learn who screamed and why..."
Who's behind these claims? A few clicks on the website linked above reveals his identity as James Kearney, a former FBI agent known to the folks at Denver's Clear Channel branch as the man whose theories cost them $55,000 in a lawsuit settlement.
As noted in this Follow That Story item from Westword's October 11, 2001 edition, the suit was spurred by allegations Kearney made while gabbing on KHOW talk-show host Peter Boyles' program about the death of Ismael Mena, an immigrant who was killed in a no-knock police raid on the wrong house. In response to Kearney's claims that the cops involved had attempted to cover up evidence in the shooting, fourteen SWAT officers went to court to charge Boyles and Jacor Broadcasting, a company later swallowed up by Clear Channel, with defamation. In the end, Clear Channel agreed to pay the aforementioned sum, which was earmarked to pay for police communications equipment, using a then-novel argument to justify the compromise: Ponying up would help the citizenry heal in the wake of 9/11. A press release issued at the time stated, "In light of recent tragic events affecting the entire nation, the officers, Jacor and Mr. Boyles have determined that the resources which would have been devoted by each side to this litigation should be directed toward the community."
Kearney is interested in resources, too. His JonBenét ruminations, as well as his theory about the Mena case, are available for just $14.95 apiece -- or both can be purchased for the bargain price of $19.95. Volume buying always pays off.
Doubt Clear Channel types are reaching for their wallets right now. After all, they did that already. -- Michael Roberts
