Family Often Looked at First when Children are Victims of Crimes

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Samantha Hayes reportingThe announcement that police had arrested a man in Thailand for JonBenet's murder came as a shock to many people; including those in law-enforcement who felt someone in the family was involved.

The Ramseys learned about the suspect at least a month before Patsy Ramsey's death on June 24, after a battle with ovarian cancer.

The Ramseys both always denied any involvement in their daughter's murder.

Almost everybody has seen video or pictures of Jon Benet Ramsey. After ten years, almost everybody has an opinion about who may have killed Jon Benet Ramsey.

John Ramsey, JonBenet's father: May 1, 1997: "I did not kill my daughter Jon Benet."

Despite those denials, John and Patsy Ramsey lived under suspicion of their daughter's murder.

Now an arrest in the case may finally clear their names for good.

John Ramsey: "I don't think it is proper that we speculate or discuss the case. It is important that justice be allowed to run its course and do its job."

Family members are often looked at first when children are victims of crimes.

Daniel Medwed, Rocky Mountain Innocence Center: "If your first impression as a law enforcement officer is the family has done it..the mom, the dad, are the perpetrators. you build a case that supports that theory."

Daniel Medwed is a law professor who also works with the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center. He says the first suspects are often the hardest to let go.

In Utah, Elizabeth Smart's family denied any involvement in her kidnapping.

And most recently, when 5 year old Destiny Norton disappeared, .her parents addressed that question right away.

In both cases, strangers were arrested and charged.

Even though its been ten years in the Ramsey murder, the evidence may finally point to someone else.

Lib Waters, a long-time resident of Marietta, Ga., and friend of the Ramsey family, tapes a letter to the gravestone of JonBenet Patricia Ramsey, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006, at the St. James Episcopal Church Cemetery in Marietta, Ga. The letter said "Dearest Patsy. Justice has come for you & John. Rest in Peace! Your friend Lib Waters." A man arrested in Thailand is being held in connection with the slaying of JonBenet Ramsey, U.S. officials said Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006. Federal officials familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the man was already being held in Bangkok on unrelated sex charges. The girl was found beaten and strangled in the basement of the family's home in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 26, 1996. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

Daniel Medwed, Rocky Mountain Innocence Center: "In my experience..does a late arrest signify the strength of a case? Not necessarily but there is no reason to support they would be desperate at this stage. Its not as though the public relations microscope is on the Boulder Police Department."

After hearing the news, a longtime friend of the Ramsey family visited the gravesites of Jon Benet and her mother, and left a note saying: "Dearest Patsy, Justice has come for you and Jon. Rest in peace."