Justice Watch Support JW "LHP Libel Complaint" [ Main ] [ Help ] [ Search ] Table of Contents ................................................................... LHP Libel Complaint, New York Lawyer, 22:42:19, 3/04/2001 Well, NYL...that tears it..., Dunvegan, 23:12:24, 3/04/2001, (#1) Thank you Darnay, mary99, 23:13:47, 3/04/2001, (#2) Thanks Darnay, szundi, 00:35:07, 3/05/2001, (#3) Thanks!, New York Lawyer, 04:09:03, 3/05/2001, (#4) thanks , mary99, 04:35:54, 3/05/2001, (#5) Grand Jury Lawsuit, New York Lawyer, 05:12:01, 3/05/2001, (#6) A Lovely Sunday Drive, Darnay, szundi, 07:20:55, 3/05/2001, (#7) Go for it LHP, Shamrockgirl, 07:30:19, 3/05/2001, (#8) NYL, momo, 08:32:53, 3/05/2001, (#9) LHP....., rose, 10:13:48, 3/05/2001, (#10) Nedra Paugh, New York Lawyer, 06:49:58, 3/06/2001, (#11) Oh my Lord, NYL, janphi, 07:59:18, 3/06/2001, (#12) Yes, janphi,, LurkerXIV, 08:55:53, 3/06/2001, (#13) LurkerXIV, fly, 09:01:36, 3/06/2001, (#14) NYL, Greenleaf, 09:15:11, 3/06/2001, (#15) Greenleaf...what brilliance!, LurkerXIV, 09:21:21, 3/06/2001, (#16) Obit, doScubie, 09:54:55, 3/06/2001, (#17) doSubie/ Lurker..., Greenleaf, 10:06:14, 3/06/2001, (#18) Question for NYL, fly, 12:48:11, 3/06/2001, (#19) Twas Pammy, Ginja, 15:33:06, 3/06/2001, (#20) NYL, Ginja, 15:34:42, 3/06/2001, (#21) dh, royal486, 23:46:39, 3/06/2001, (#23) NYPOST, Bobby, 21:35:16, 3/06/2001, (#22) Rose: Here's the passage from DOI..., Dunvegan, 23:59:05, 3/06/2001, (#24) About Gideon Epstein, Dunvegan, 09:51:33, 3/07/2001, (#25) About Larry Ziegler, Dunvegan, 12:42:57, 3/07/2001, (#26) Thanks Dunvegan, Bobby, 14:54:34, 3/07/2001, (#27) Obit, WitchyWoman, 23:19:11, 3/07/2001, (#28) ................................................................... "LHP Libel Complaint" Posted by New York Lawyer on 05:16:25 3/05/2001 NOTE: This message was last edited 05:16:25, 3/05/2001 This is the libel complaint being filed in Atlanta Federal Court on behalf of Linda Hoffmann-Pugh. Due to the death of Nedra Paugh, the complaint will be filed on Thursday, March 8th, instead of Monday, March 5th as originally planned. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA ATLANTA DIVISION LINDA HOFFMANN-PUGH, Plaintiff, v. PATRICIA RAMSEY & JOHN RAMSEY, Defendants. COMPLAINT FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER Linda Hoffmann-Pugh, by her undersigned attorneys, respectfully states her Complaint for Libel and Slander against Patricia Ramsey and John Ramsey as follows: Statement of the Case On the night of December 25, 1996, or during the early morning hours of December 26, 1996, the defendant Patsy Ramsey sexually assaulted, and killed her daughter JonBenet Ramsey, either accidentally or intentionally, in their Boulder, Colorado home. In an elaborate and transparent attempt to cover up her crime, Patsy Ramsey prepared a handwritten kidnap ransom note in the hope of making her crime look like the work of a third party intruder. Over the next three and one half years, Patsy Ramsey, along with the knowing help of her husband, defendant John Ramsey, willfully, intentionally, maliciously, and with a reckless disregard for the truth, directed suspicion away from herself by hiring private detectives to investigate the personal lives of innocent Boulder citizens, such as the plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh, turning that information over to the Boulder Police and District Attorney in the hope of encouraging the authorities to arrest the plaintiff for the murder of her daughter. Although the plaintiff has been cleared of all suspicion by authorities, the defendants continue to this day in their efforts to cast suspicion upon the plaintiff, with the help of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Onyx Books, New American Library and Penguin Putnam, Inc., by publishing a book in which the plaintiff is publicly named as a murder suspect in the brutal sexual assault and horrific slaughter of their daughter. The defendants have also repeated this false allegation against the plaintiff, again with the help of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Onyx Books, New American Library and Penguin Putnam, Inc. in television interviews promoting their book. Because of the defendants' conduct, which was certain or substantially certain to cause severe emotional distress, and which is so extreme, outrageous and shocking that it is intolerable and goes beyond all possible bounds of decency in a civilized society, the plaintiff has suffered extreme humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional distress as a result of the defendants' having made her the unwanted focus of a murder investigation into the sexual assault and death of a six year girl. Patricia Ramsey and John Ramsey's conduct has caused the plaintiff to be shunned, hated, ridiculed and held in contempt by members of her community. She has suffered and continues to suffer substantial injury as a result of the false accusations made against her by the defendants. The plaintiff seeks general and punitive damages for libel and slander. The Parties 1. Plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh resides in Plattville, Colorado. 2. Plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh is a citizen of the State of Colorado for purposes of diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1332. 3. Defendant Patricia Ramsey resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 4. Defendant Patricia Ramsey is a citizen of the State of Georgia for purposes of diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1332. 5. Defendant John Ramsey resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 6. Defendant John Ramsey is a citizen of the State of Georgia for purposes of diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1332. Jurisdiction and Venue 7. This Court has original subject matter jurisdiction with respect to this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332 as there exists complete diversity of citizenship between plaintiff and defendants and the amount in controversy exceeds Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00), exclusive of interest and costs. 8. Defendant Patricia Ramsey is domiciled in the State of Georgia and is subject to the jurisdiction of this Court. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391. 9. Defendant John Ramsey is domiciled in the State of Georgia and is subject to the jurisdiction of this Court. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391. General Allegations 10. On the night of December 25, 1996 or during the early morning hours of December 26, 1996, defendant Patricia Paugh Ramsey (Patsy Ramsey) killed her daughter JonBenet Ramsey, either accidentally or intentionally, in the defendants' home at 755 15th Street, Boulder, Colorado. According to the Boulder County coroner's autopsy report, JonBenet received a massive head wound before dying of strangulation from a nylon cord tied around her neck. The coroner found that there was evidence to suggest that JonBenet's vagina had been assaulted and digitally penetrated sometime before her death. 11. In an elaborate and transparent attempt to cover up her crime, Patsy Ramsey wrote a three page ransom note in the hope of making her crime look more like the work of a third party intruder bent on kidnapping and/or sexually molesting her daughter, than like the work of a parent who flew into a rage and assaulted their child. 12. Five questioned document examiners, a forensic linguistics expert, and a Boulder police detective have since determined that defendant Patsy Ramsey was the author of the ransom note found at the scene of JonBenet Ramsey's murder. (Exhibit 1) 13. In order to further cover up her crime, Patsy Ramsey, along with the help of her husband John Ramsey, gave the Boulder Police Department and the Boulder District Attorney's office the names of people who she declared should be "suspects" in the killing of her daughter. As a result of the sensational nature of the crime, and the tearful protestations of innocence by Patsy Ramsey on national television, this case has been subject to massive international media coverage, the likes of which have not been seen since the Lindbergh baby kidnapping or the O.J. Simpson case. 14. John and Patsy Ramsey gave Boulder law enforcement the names of these innocent people willfully and maliciously and with reckless disregard for the truth. John and Patsy Ramsey knew, or should have known, that their conduct in covering up her crime was certain or substantially certain to cause severe emotional distress in the people who would become, as a result of the defendants' accusations, police "suspects," and, consequently, the subject of intensive and intrusive law enforcement investigation and worldwide media coverage. 15. Upon information and belief, innocent "suspects" were required to submit to police demands that they produce samples of their blood, hair, saliva and handwriting, while, at the same time, being subjected to intrusive police questioning into their private lives. Frequently, "suspect's" neighbors would be interrogated by the police with respect to the "suspect's" general character and demeanor, often to the "suspects" extreme embarrassment and emotional suffering. "Suspects" were also the subject of unwanted and often unflattering media attention and speculation. 16. Patsy Ramsey, along with the defendant John Ramsey, went on national television several times and "warned" the American public that "there is a killer on the loose." John and Patsy Ramsey repeated these statements in a television documentary, at various press conferences, in newspaper interviews, and in a book they co-authored, and published with the help of Thomas Nelson, Inc., and reprinted in a paperback edition with the help of Onyx Books, New American Library and Penguin Putnam, Inc.,called The Death of Innocence: The Untold Story of JonBenet's Murder and How Its Exploitation Compromised the Pursuit of Truth (Thomas Nelson, 2000; Onyx 2001). Patsy Ramsey, willfully, maliciously, and with reckless disregard for the truth, has repeatedly denied any involvement in the death of her daughter despite knowing these statements to be untrue. 17. Defendant John Ramsey also denies any knowledge of the circumstances surrounding his daughter's death, and he has publicly proclaimed a belief in his wife Patsy's innocence. John Ramsey knows that his wife is lying about her responsibility for his daughter's death 18. John and Patsy Ramsey have hired private detectives to investigate and check into the private lives and backgrounds of these bogus murder "suspects," invading the privacy of these individuals through their private investigators, while providing Boulder authorities with information on these "suspects' in what has been, and continues to be, a blatant attempt to direct suspicion away from Mrs. Ramsey. The defendants have done all of this, willfully and maliciously, and with the intent of encouraging the authorities to arrest an innocent person for a crime that Patsy Ramsey has committed. 19. From December 26, 1996 until the present time, John and Patsy Ramsey have been and continue to be engaged, willfully, maliciously, and with reckless disregard for the truth, in a continuing course of conduct designed to direct suspicion away from Mrs. Ramsey by providing the Boulder district attorney's office, the police, and the general public, through the efforts of their private investigators, through interviews on national television, a documentary, and a book published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., with the names of innocent people, who, because of this continuing course of conduct, have suffered extreme emotional distress as the result of their being publicly named, and privately being investigated, by the John and Patsy Ramsey, as "suspects" in the brutal homicide of a six year girl who may have been sexually assaulted in the process. 20. John and Patsy Ramsey have engaged in this continuing course of conduct willfully and maliciously, knowing full well that Patsy Ramsey was responsible for the death of her daughter. 21. Beginning on or about September 1997, and, upon information and belief, continuing until the present time, private investigators working on behalf of, and at the direction of, John and Patsy Ramsey, have urged and continue to urge the Boulder authorities to investigate the plaintiff, Linda Hoffmann-Pugh, as a possible murder suspect in the death of their daughter in the hope that she would be arrested and charged with the murder of their daughter. The defendants have done this, and continue to do it, willfully and maliciously, knowing full well that the plaintiff is innocent and that Patsy Ramsey has killed JonBenet Ramsey. 22. On pages19-20 of their book The Death of Innocence, which was published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., in Colorado and Georgia on March 17, 2000, and reprinted in paperback by Onyx Books, New American Library and Penguin Putnam, Inc. in January 2001 (also in Colorado and Georgia,) the defendants write and publish the following statements: "The police ask Patsy these same questions about who might have been angry or acting strangely, and she begins to think about our cleaning lady. Linda Hoffmann-Pugh had called Patsy a couple of days before Christmas, very distraught and in tears. Linda said her sister, who was also her landlord, was going to evict her if she didn't come up with the past-due rent. She asked Patsy if she could borrow twenty-five hundred dollars to cover it. Patsy had consoled Linda and agreed to lend her the money. In fact, Patsy had intended to leave the check for Linda on the kitchen counter before leaving for Michigan; Linda would let herself in the house and pick it up while we were gone for the holidays. "Patsy remembers that her mother, Nedra Paugh, had said that Linda had remarked to her at one time, 'JonBenet is so pretty; aren't you afraid that someone might kidnap her?' Now those comments seem strangely menacing. "Finding the phone number in her digital Rolodex, Patsy tells a police officer where Linda lives in Ft. Lupton, Colorado. Patsy later tells me she was thinking, If it's Linda, it's okay, because she is a good, sweet person. She is just upset. She may need the money, but she won't hurt JonBenet. "The police tell us they will arrange for the Ft. Lupon police to drive by Linda's house to see if they notice anything unusual, but they don't want to alert anyone there that they are being watched." (Exhibit 2) 23. These statements are false and the defendants Patsy and John Ramsey know them to be false, publishing them willfully, intentionally, maliciously, with a reckless disregard for their truth, and with the deliberate intention of publicly casting suspicion upon her as a murderer who sexually assaulted their six-year-old daughter. The plaintiff 's sister was not "going to evict her if she didn't come up with the past-due rent;" nor did the plaintiff ever tell Nedra Paugh, or anyone else, that "JonBenet is so pretty; aren't you afraid that someone might kidnap her?" The plaintiff did not murder JonBenet and therefore the statement "If it's Linda, its' okay, because she is a good, sweet person. She is just upset. She may need the money, but she won't hurt JonBenet" is a deliberate falsehood made in the hope of convincing a reader that Linda Hoffmann-Pugh kidnapped JonBenet and committed the crime of murder because she was in desperate need of money. By these statements, defendants John and Patsy Ramsey meant, and were understood to mean, that Linda Hoffmann-Pugh had kidnapped and murdered JonBenet Ramsey. The plaintiff denies that she kidnapped or murdered JonBenet Ramsey. 24. The sole purpose of publishing these statements was so that the defendants could divert attention away from Patsy Ramsey by directing the reading public's attention, through imputation and innuendo, to Linda Hoffmann-Pugh as a legitimate murder suspect in the death of their daughter, knowing full well that Patsy Ramsey had murdered JonBenet Ramsey. 25. Defendants knew that Linda Hoffmann-Pugh had been cleared of suspicion by the police, along with the hundreds of other bogus murder "suspects," many of whose names had been provided and continue to be provided to authorities by the defendants in their desperate attempt to cover up Patsy Ramsey's crime. 26. These statements by John and Patsy Ramsey, made in the book published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., and in the media, along with the investigative reports prepared by their private detectives, are meant to suggest and to create, both in the minds of the general public and in the minds of the Boulder authorities, a deliberate, cumulative, and false impression that the plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh is the murderer of JonBenet Ramsey. As a result of these statements, made with actual malice and with an awareness of their falsity, the plaintiff has been the subject of heightened, unwelcome, and unflattering media scrutiny and has caused her to be shunned and hated, exposing her to hatred, contempt and ridicule in her small community of Plattville, Colorado. 27. "But for" the elaborate attempt by Patsy Ramsey and her husband to avoid the consequences of Mrs. Ramsey killing her daughter, there would have been no "unsolved" murder, and, therefore, by definition, no need for news stories or need for media attention. John and Patsy are directly and proximately the cause of the harm created to the plaintiff, and solely responsible for the need for an investigation into the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. It was entirely foreseeable that their conduct in covering up Patsy's killing of her daughter would result in an intrusive police investigation and massive media attention. The defendants have stated repeatedly on television, in newspaper interviews and in their book published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and reprinted in paperback by Onyx Books, New American Library and Penguin Putnam, Inc., that their sole motivation for writing their book and for publicly speaking out is to find the killer of their daughter and to see that the police investigation does not cease into the whereabouts of the murderer. AS AND FOR A CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST PATSY RAMSEY FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER 28. Incorporating all of the allegations in paragraphs 1 -27, the plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh alleges that the defendant Patsy Ramsey, in an attempt to cover up the brutal murder and sexual assault of her daughter, willfully, intentionally, maliciously, and with a reckless disregard for the truth, published defamatory statements about the plaintiff in her book and in her statements on television and in the printed media, intending to create a deliberate, cumulative, and false impression of Linda Hoffmann-Pugh as a murder suspect, thereby proximately causing permanent injury to her reputation by causing her to be exposed to public hatred, contempt and ridicule. By virtue of the nature of the defamatory subject matter in Patsy Ramsey's book and public statements, their publication constitutes libel and slander per se and the plaintiff is entitled to recover actual damages for her injuries. Patsy Ramsey's conduct, moreover, demonstrates actual malice, willful misconduct, and that entire want of care which raises a presumption of conscious indifference to consequences entitling the plaintiff to an award of significant punitive damages to punish, penalize and deter Patsy Ramsey from repeating her unlawful conduct. AS AND FOR A CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST JOHN RAMSEY FOR LIBEL AND SLANDER 29. Incorporating all of the allegations in paragraphs 1-27, the plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh alleges that the defendant John Ramsey, in an attempt to help his wife Patsy Ramsey cover up the brutal murder and sexual assault of his daughter, willfully, intentionally, maliciously, and with a reckless disregard for the truth, published defamatory statements about the plaintiff in his book and in his statements on television and in the printed media, intending to create a deliberate, cumulative, and false impression of Linda Hoffmann-Pugh as a murder suspect, thereby proximately causing permanent injury to her reputation by causing her to be exposed to public hatred, contempt and ridicule. By virtue of the nature of the defamatory subject matter in John Ramsey's book and public statements, their publication constitutes libel and slander per se and the plaintiff is entitled to recover actual damages for her injuries. John Ramsey's conduct, moreover, demonstrates actual malice, willful misconduct, and that entire want of care which raises a presumption of conscious indifference to consequences entitling the plaintiff to an award of significant punitive damages to punish, penalize and deter John Ramsey from repeating his unlawful conduct. continuing to repeat her unlawful conduct. WHEREFORE, plaintiff Linda Hoffmann-Pugh prays for the following relief: (a) That judgment be entered against defendant Patsy Ramsey for general damages in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00). (b) That judgment be entered against defendant John Ramsey for general damages in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00). (c) That judgment be entered against defendant Patricia Ramsey for punitive damages in the amount of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000.00) (d) That judgment be entered against defendant John Ramsey for punitive damages in the amount of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000.00). (e) That all costs of this action be assessed against the defendants. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all the issues so triable. Dated: February 27, 2001 Respectfully submitted, _________________________ EVAN M. ALTMAN DARNAY HOFFMAN PRO HAC VICE [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 1. "Well, NYL...that tears it..." Posted by Dunvegan on 23:12:24 3/04/2001 Patsy is DEFINITELY taking you off the Christmas letter list. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 2. "Thank you Darnay" Posted by mary99 on 23:13:47 3/04/2001 Hope the Ramseys regret ever writing that book. Q. Can Arianna Pugh and/or Mervin also sue for being linked to the kiddie porn pic published elsewhere, which, imo, crossed the bounds of protected opinion when 'hir' called for, and got, an porn investigation launched into the Pughs based on nothing but suspicion and ill-will? [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 3. "Thanks Darnay" Posted by szundi on 00:35:07 3/05/2001 Can't wait till you get the Ramheads on the stand. Are you coming to the Spring Fling this year? I invite you every year but never get an RSVP. Would love to meet you and I know the other J-W people who come would too. Don't you want to meet Ginja? or Toppcat? or me? Send me a little note. szundi [ EMAIL szundi ] [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 4. "Thanks!" Posted by New York Lawyer on 04:09:03 3/05/2001 szundi: thanks for the invite. Because of my law practice, it's hard to get away from the city. If you hold it in New York, I'll be happy to attend. mary99: the statute of limitations (1 year for libel, and 2 years for the intentional infliction of emotional distress) has passed, thereby making it impossible to sue on behalf of the other Pughs. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 5. "thanks " Posted by mary99 on 04:35:54 3/05/2001 for the prompt reply. I guess if Linda wins, and I sincerely hope she does, we can look forward to reading all about it someday, too. Q. Has the date for the LHP vs GJ secrecy lawsuit been announced? [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 6. "Grand Jury Lawsuit" Posted by New York Lawyer on 05:12:01 3/05/2001 Denver Federal Judge Wiley Y. Daniels hasn't decided yet whether the law is constitutional or not. We are awaiting his decision. He's had the case for six months (and counting....) [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 7. "A Lovely Sunday Drive, Darnay" Posted by szundi on 07:20:55 3/05/2001 Bernardsville is a lovely and easy drive from NYC. Lincoln Tunnel to NJ Pike--South to I-78 West to I-287 North to the Inn. Should be about one and a half to two hours. Ginja is driving 4 1/2 hrs. to come. Brunch is from 10:30-2PM. Do you work every Sunday? Even the hospital let me loose that weekend. Well, if you can't come, we understand. Ma Brady will be there--now that should be an enticement. Whatever.... szundi [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 8. "Go for it LHP" Posted by Shamrockgirl on 07:31:50 3/05/2001 NOTE: This message was last edited 07:31:50, 3/05/2001 I wonder if the Rams will settle out of court so that they won't have to go on the stand? I think the Rams would do anything to avoid taking the stand and swearing on the Bible...Hey Pats what will you say LOL.... Szundi....when is this get together? Just want to know since I'm not working now I might be able to come.... Right now just waiting for the "Big One" the snow storm. It's only a itty bitty one right now, but daughter's flight to Orlando cancelled for Tues...the 6th...she is not happy about it LOL... Baked Apple Pie, Chocolate Cake and Cinnamon Rolls this morning in preparaton for storm and losing lights this evening. Have to have something to do...like eat like pig LOL. I also went to library on Sat. to get a few good books to read if cable TV goes down which I am sure it will. Making a big pot of pasta and sauce in a bit also....have my candles, batteries, portable TV and special radio and light that run by either solar power, or hand crank, left over from Y2K scare last January. See they do come in handy finally LOL. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 9. "NYL" Posted by momo on 08:32:53 3/05/2001 When is the LHP book coming out? Also, I'll just bet those Rams wished they had never written the book either. Sometimes trying to prove and lie to cover your arse isn't worth it. Everyone I know that read the book came away thinking they were more guilty than before. LOL [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 10. "LHP....." Posted by rose on 10:13:48 3/05/2001 Do any of you remember an interview or published statement with Patsy where she was talking about seeing the ransom note the morning of the 26th for the first time? Didn't she say that when she first saw the note on the stairs she thought it was from LHP reminding her of the loan check she was suppose to leave for Linda? If true, did Patsy think Linda let herself in the house some time during the dead of night on the 26th to leave this note? Linda was on the Peter Boyles show back last year when the book DOI came out in 2000, she made reference to this. Linda works as a maid, her job depends on people trusting her with keys to their homes. Trusting her without supervision to not violate their property or person. From what I have learned about Lindas circumstances, she has to work to put bread on the table for her family. She like the rest of us depend on our good name and reputation to get work of this kind. I have often wondered how many jobs as maid she has been denied because of her name continueing to be brought up because of this child murder? [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 11. "Nedra Paugh" Posted by New York Lawyer on 06:49:58 3/06/2001 METRO NEWS TODAY • March 6, 2001 ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION OBITUARIES: Nedra Paugh, JonBenet Ramsey's grandmother Associated Press Tuesday, March 6, 2001 Nedra Paugh, 68, the maternal grandmother of 6-year-old murder victim JonBenet Ramsey, died Friday. Ms. Paugh, whose daughter is Patsy Ramsey, JonBenet's mother, had suffered for years from various illnesses, including diabetes, said another daughter, Pam Paugh. After private funeral services Sunday, Nedra Paugh was buried next to JonBenet at the St. James' Episcopal Church cemetery in Marietta, Pam Paugh said. No charges have been filed in the death of JonBenet, whose beaten and strangled body was found in the basement of her parents' Boulder, Colo., home on Dec. 26, 1996. Ms. Paugh's death delayed the filing of a libel suit on behalf of former Ramsey housekeeper Linda Hoffmann-Pugh, who says the Ramseys identified her as a murder suspect in their book about JonBenet's slaying. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 12. "Oh my Lord, NYL" Posted by janphi on 07:59:18 3/06/2001 Thanks for posting that. It is the saddest thing I think I've ever read. Shame on John & Patsy Ramsey for causing this nightmare. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 13. "Yes, janphi," Posted by LurkerXIV on 08:55:53 3/06/2001 It is sad that a woman who lived a long life, and apparently a very active life up until 1996, should be remembered in her obit just as the grandmother of a slain child. Where is the list of all of Nedra's many accomplishments? What schools she attended? The names of her mother and father? What were her hobbies? What church, social, and charitable groups did she belong to? Where are the names of her other children and grandchildren? Once again, Patsy trumps even her own mother. It always about Patsy. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 14. "LurkerXIV" Posted by fly on 09:01:36 3/06/2001 LurkerXIV - I seriously doubt that PR had anything to do with the obituary, so suggesting that PR trumped Nedra is off the mark. That obituary was obviously (to me, at least) written by the newspaper. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 15. "NYL" Posted by Greenleaf on 09:15:11 3/06/2001 Dear Darnay, The Rams are going to do everything possible to delay their depositions. The psuedo- burglary was, in my opinion, a delay tactic. They will "milk" Nedra's death for every ounce of sympathy and further delay they can muster. When all else fails, Patsy will be hospitalized, for some rare ailment, or, her cancer will reemerge. John, of course, will not be expected to leave her side, during this next planned crisis. There is no way, on God's green earth, Mr. Hoffman, that you will ever get depositions from those two despicable characters. They have managed to skirt the law for four years, and, as hard as you may try, you will never get them to answer your questions under oath. Anticipate other delays, and try to keep one step ahead of their folly. Some areas of study you might consider, in preparation: l.) Tetanus (lockjaw) The incubation period is three weeks, so make note of the date when one of the Rams steps on a rusty nail. 2.) Fugitive rights Check out Mr. Rich's guest lists and check recent purchases of chateaus in Switzerland. 3.) New bird house companies in foreign countries Do a Yahoo search for hand made bird- houses companies with antebellum themes. 4.) Check out Hollywood make-up artists, who have recently quit their jobs and moved to Atlanta. 5.) Check out Susan Stine's most recent bank statements for sudden wealth. 6.) Do a Google check on recent large investments in K-Mark jewelry. Setting the stage: At the imaginary depositions, casually put a few items on the table, just to the side of your brief case. Items, such as duct tape, rope, a red valentine, a lap top, a sharpie pen, a mag flashlight and a broken paint- brush. Also, the books, "Ransom" and "The Life Of Lizzie Borden." Although the Rams are not very creative, they are tenacious and very rich. And you, Darnay, have your New York smarts and the law. And, don't you be forgetting that you have the good wishes of most all of us, here, at Justice Watch. Greenleaf [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 16. "Greenleaf...what brilliance!" Posted by LurkerXIV on 09:21:21 3/06/2001 I think NYL should hire you ASAP as his strategist. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 17. "Obit" Posted by doScubie on 09:54:55 3/06/2001 I think this obit was orchestrated by Phatsy herself. Why else would it state (the grandmother of JonBenet), and (her daughter Patsy Ramsey, JonBenet's mother). PUKE!! A "normal" obit says a lot about the deceased accomplishments, and mentions the spouse, children and grandchildren, etc.... under "surviving her". This dumb Bit*h once again used a dead person to find publicity. The other child and other grandchildren aren't even mentioned. I wonder how Patsy felt when they laid Nedra in the ground next to JB? I wonder if she was sweating being that close to her dead daughter? I hope she freaks out and confesses. But then, don't we all? :) [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 18. "doSubie/ Lurker..." Posted by Greenleaf on 10:06:14 3/06/2001 doSubie, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why this case had to be mentioned. (Assuming PR had input, and, there is little doubt in my mind that she did). My goodness, Patsy would never pass up the opportunity to seek as much sympathy as possible, from whatever source is floating around; imaginary or not. And, dear Lurker XIV, what can I say? "Thanks" doesn't quite seem adequate. Greenleaf [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 19. "Question for NYL" Posted by fly on 12:48:11 3/06/2001 NYL - In your complaint for the LHP v. Ramseys suit, you say that the Ramseys hired private detectives who have invaded the privacy of the Pughs. Can you be more specific as to what the PIs did, and when? [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 20. "Twas Pammy" Posted by Ginja on 15:33:06 3/06/2001 Pam was cited as informing the press that her mother was being buried next to JBR, so I would think she was the source for the entire obit. And we all know that Pam is the mouthpiece for Patsy! [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 21. "NYL" Posted by Ginja on 15:34:42 3/06/2001 Scaredy Cat! Do you realize how close NYC is to this spring fling? So if you don't show, I'm gonna play it up big that you didn't cuz you're scared of me! LOL :-) [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 23. "dh" Posted by royal486 on 23:46:39 3/06/2001 someone has to know that is not DARNEY HOFFMAN [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 22. "NYPOST" Posted by Bobby on 21:35:16 3/06/2001 Sorry if this is a repeat. I haven't been able to keep up lately. http://www.newyorkpost.com/gossip/cindy.htm WITH Boulder journalist Chris Wolf suing the Ramseys for $50 mil - alleging their book libeled him - next to sue is their former housekeeper, the very first "suspect" John and Patsy named. Hours after the discovery of JonBenet's body, Patsy gave cops Linda Hoffman-Pugh's name. Befurred Patsy was allowed to leave the crime scene without interrogation. Linda and her family were instantly detained. Due to this new case, Gideon Epstein, whom the FBI uses to identify handwriting of Nazi war criminals hiding here, and Larry Ziegler, who examines documents for the feds, volunteered expertise for free. Both believe Patsy "is the writer of the ransom note." Per Atlanta lawyer Evan Altman, who's stuck to this case like Elmer's Glue, the housekeeper's lawsuit was filed yesterday. * [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 24. "Rose: Here's the passage from DOI..." Posted by Dunvegan on 23:59:05 3/06/2001 ...that's written from Patsy's point of view regarding the note and connecting it with Linda Hoffman-Pugh (pg. 11, hc): What's this? I wonder. I turn around to look at three pieces of paper on a step near the bottom. I bend over. Must be a note from the cleaning lady, Linda, I think. Probably reminding me that she needs to borrow twenty-five hundred dollars. I must leave a check on the kitchen counter before we leave. "'Mr. Ramsey,' the note is addressed across the top. I look again more closely. 'Listen Carefully!' My eyes fly across the top lines. 'At this time we have your daughter in our possession. She is safe and unharmed and if you want her to see 1997, you must follow our instructions to the letter." I quickly scan the page. '$118,000,' the writer demands." The emphasis/italics (the sections above in red)...is Patsy's emphasis as published in DOI...not mine [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 25. "About Gideon Epstein" Posted by Dunvegan on 09:51:33 3/07/2001 About Gideon Epstein Gideon Epstein home page at: http://www.asqde.org/epstein/default.htm Fellow of the Questioned Document Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a member of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners. Past President of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, the oldest professional organization for the forensic document profession in North America Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners. The only recognized certifying body for this profession in the United States. Testified as an expert witness more than 250 times in the last 32 years before Federal, State, Immigration and Military courts throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Guam, the Philippines and Israel as well as before the United States Congress. Has been teaching Forensic Document Examination since 1969, first to United States Army Criminal Investigators and later at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco Georgia to both United States Treasury Agents and United States Immigration Special Agents. From 1986 to 1993. Taught Forensic Document Examination for The George Washington Graduate School of Forensic Sciences teaching 2 classes a year. In 1996-1997 Traveled to the Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland with the U.S. Department of State to train their National police in forensic document examination. In 1999 Traveled to the Philippines to advise that government in the establishment of a forensic document laboratory. From 1980-2000 conducted forensic document examinations for the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice, Office of Special Investigations. The office tasked with the investigation and prosecution of persons charged with WWII war crimes activities. Testified in dozens of cases throughout the United States where old World War II documents were used to positively link individuals, through their handwriting, to World War II war crimes activities. Conducted handwriting examinations in the Josef Mengele War Crimes investigation as a member of an international forensic team sent to Sao Paulo, Brazil and later testified before the United States Congress on the results of this examination. Examined key documents in the John Demjanjuk case tried in Jerusalem Israel when requested by the Israeli government and testified in Jerusalem in that case. Conducted examination of the handwriting of Variel Trifa, Archbishop of Romania, which contributed to his identification in War Crimes activities in World War II and examined and testified in the Manuel Noriega drug Conspiracy case in Miami Florida. Was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1978 by the U.S. Army Crime Laboratory for outstanding achievements while serving as Chief Questioned Document Examiner with the Army Crime Laboratory. Other Awards: In 1979 was awarded the Special Achievement Award by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for his Forensic Document Examination work. In 1982 received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Immigration and Naturalization Service for accomplishments in the forensic document examination area. In 1985 was awarded the Commissioners Meritorious Achievement Award for forensic document examination support to the Office of Special Investigations and upon his retirement, was awarded the Commissioners Distinguished Service Award for more than 20 years of Forensic Document Examination work for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 26. "About Larry Ziegler" Posted by Dunvegan on 12:42:57 3/07/2001 About Larry Ziegler From "Handwriting Evidence Meets Reliability Criteria": http://www.forensic-evidence.com/site/ID/ID00004_8.html The defendant in this extortion prosecution had objected to the testimony of FBI document examiner Larry Ziegler--who had concluded that the defendant authored the extortion note--on the ground that handwriting analysis did not qualify as reliable scientific evidence. Under the Kumho Tire case authority [ See the related article at this Website by clicking on All Expert Evidence Must Be Proved Reliable, Court Says] the test for reliability must be "a flexible" one, said the court. After looking at Ziegler's qualifications and testimony, the court concluded that the expert's testimony was "more probative than prejudicial" and was therefore properly admitted. ....At the time of trial, Ziegler: (1) was a full time handwriting examiner for 30 years; (2) was a member of four professional handwriting analysis organizations; (3) established both the Secret Service's and the Naval Investigative Service's "questioned document" laboratories; (4) lectured and taught extensively in the field of handwriting analysis; and (5) trained new "questioned document" examiners for several law enforcement organizations. Consequently, we hold that Ziegler's expert testimony could assist the jury. The court in Paul also mentioned United States v. Jones, 107 F.3d 1147, 1160 (6th Cir. 1997), wherein the argument that handwriting identification evidence ought not to be admitted because it could not be shown to be reliable was also made and rejected. The government's expert there had an equally lengthy career in questioned document analysis, had testified in over 240 cases and had authored many articles on handwriting comparisons. In rejecting the argument that the trial court improperly permitted him to testify as an expert, the court said, "To put it bluntly, the federal government pays him to analyze documents, the precise task he was called upon to do in the district court." Also see: United States v. Paul (Ziegler's Testimony, and Admissibility of Handwriting Analysis) http://www.law.emory.edu/11circuit/may99/97-9302.opn.html [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 27. "Thanks Dunvegan" Posted by Bobby on 14:54:34 3/07/2001 Guess I am back in Pollyanna mode again. Fingers crossed for you NYL.:) [ TOP ] [ MAIN ] 28. "Obit" Posted by WitchyWoman on 23:19:11 3/07/2001 It is my personal experience the funeral home asks the family to write the obituary here in GA. WW [ TOP ] [ MAIN ]