October 3, 2002

"48 HOURS INVESTIGATES" REVEALS NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN POLICE INTERROGATION TAPES OF JOHN AND PATSY RAMSEY

Report Offers New Information and Evidence in the JonBenet Case,

Including a Man Who May Have Been Ignored by Investigators

48 HOURS INVESTIGATES reveals never-before-seen police interrogation tapes of John and Patsy Ramsey and reports new information and evidence in the JonBenet murder case, including a man who may have been ignored by investigators at the onset of the case. Correspondent Erin Moriarty interviews the Ramseys, Lou Smit, an original homicide investigator in JonBenet's case for the Boulder, Colo. District Attorney's office who now works for the Ramseys, and Gary Oliva, a man who the Ramseys believe deserves greater attention from investigators. "48 HOURS INVESTIGATES: 'Searching for a Killer'" will be broadcast Friday, Oct. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

In tape exclusively obtained by 48 HOURS INVESTIGATES, Boulder police chief Mark Beckner testifies under oath in November 2001 that the Ramseys are not publicly considered suspects, but internally are, despite the fact that a grand jury didn't indict them in 1999.

New scientific evidence never revealed is detailed in the August 2000 interrogation tapes that 48 HOURS INVESTIGATES obtained, including the presence of fibers at the crime scene that investigators claimed were linked to one of the parents.

However, Smit, the former detective now working for the Ramseys, believes an intruder entered the Ramsey's home through a basement window. He tells Moriarty, "I don't think the Ramseys did it. And I think they [Boulder prosecutors] oughta start looking for that person." He continues, "I'm looking for a pedophile that's a sexual sadist."

Gary Oliva of Oregon is a sex offender who is believed to have been in the Ramsey neighborhood the night of the murder, but wasn't investigated by the Boulder police until four

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years after JonBenet's murder -- after he was arrested for drug possession and carrying a stun gun, which some experts believe was used on JonBenet the night she was killed. Oliva's friend, who asked to be identified only as Michael, says that Oliva called just days after the murder. Oliva mentioned he was calling from Boulder and told Michael that he'd done something horrible. Michael says the call was so serious he called the Boulder police, but his call wasn't returned, even though Michael said he had disturbing audiocassettes of Oliva talking about hurting children. Oliva, who is wanted in Oregon for probation violations, turned himself in to Boulder police two weeks ago. While 48 HOURS INVESTIGATES Correspondent Erin Moriarty interviewed him, a Boulder police officer was in the room taking notes. According to Smit, the Boulder police didn't follow up on 95 percent of the more than 3000 phone tips they received, including Oliva's.

Moriarty's interview with John and Patsy Ramsey took place immediately following Patsy's completed chemotherapy for reoccurring ovarian cancer.

"48 HOURS INVESTIGATES: 'Searching for a Killer'" is produced by Doug Longhini with Patti Aronofsky and Joe Halderman. The executive editor is Al Briganti and executive producer is Susan Zirinsky. * * *

Photos available at cbspressexpress.com

Press Contact: Marcy Erhard 212/975-2888 erhardm@cbsnews.com