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| S P E C I A L | JonBenet Ramsey Case |
Was a stun gun used in JonBenet's murder?
December 20, 1997
Web posted at: 1:47 p.m. EST (1847 GMT)DENVER (CNN) -- Police are investigating whether a stun gun was used in the murder of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday, quoting a family spokeswoman.
Denver lawyer Rachelle Zimmer told the newspaper that the parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, have known about the use of the weapon for months, but kept quiet at the request of police in Boulder, Colorado, where the child was killed. The Ramseys have since moved to the Atlanta area.
Boulder police refused to comment on the report.
Although they maintain that the parents remain under "an umbrella of suspicion," no suspects have been named in the death of the girl, whose body was found strangled and bludgeoned last December 26 in the basement of her family's home. Her parents have declared their innocence.
Zimmer says neither parent has ever owned a stun gun, which is an electric Taser-like weapon that immobilizes a target by shooting 50,000 volts of electricity.
"It must now be clear to any open-minded person that this vicious crime was committed by an outsider," she said.
Neighbor describes questioning
Residents in the Ramseys' former neighborhood say they've recently been questioned by detectives.
Margaret Dillon said a detective questioned her for the first time on Tuesday.
"He asked whether we had any duct tape or white nylon cord in our garage," Dillon said. "I said, 'We don't have a garage.' When he asked whether I or anyone I knew owned a stun gun, I was flabbergasted. How could it have been used? If it's critical to the case, why wasn't it mentioned before?"
Zimmer did not describe the type of stun gun police might be looking for. She also did not describe what evidence suggested the weapon was used, or the motivation for its use.
The Times said forensic experts who have studied the autopsy report said it was not clear if any of the recorded injuries JonBenet suffered could have been created by a stun gun.
Investigators are also reportedly asking friends of the Ramsey family if they own certain types of shoes, and if they recall seeing strange litter in their yards or in the street shortly after JonBenet's body was found.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Police: Ramseys remain under 'umbrella of suspicion' - December 5, 1997
- Report: Boulder DA looks at grand jury in Ramsey case - November 30, 1997
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