About Lou Smit...

Discussion in 'Justice for JonBenet Discussion - Public Forum' started by Watching You, May 16, 2003.

  1. Watching You

    Watching You Superior Bee Admin

    I want to talk about Lou Smit.

    Posted by Watching you on 10:25:04 4/26/2001

    From the mouth of Lou Smit:
    I cannot, in good conscience, participate in the persecution of innocent people."

    " In this case, however, I believe …, that innocent people are being targeted, and could be charged with a murder they did not commit."

    “At this point of the investigation “the case†tells me that John and Patsy Ramsey did not kill their daughter.â€

    …. But retired Colorado Springs detective Lou Smit, speaking extensively for the first time on his role in the stalled investigation, says the Ramseys did not kill their daughter, according to today’s editions of the Denver Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post and the March 20 issue of Newsweek.

    IRMI, p. 327: “Lou Smit, so emotional that he shed tears, was immovable in declaring John Ramsey innocent of any wrongdoing
     
  2. Watching You

    Watching You Superior Bee Admin

    More from 2001, JW

    "The Saga of Lou Smit"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:01:31 4/22/2001

    Let’s talk about Lou Smit
    Okay, I know y’all think I despise the man. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I respect his right to his opinions and his tenacity in holding onto them in the face of continued criticism. I see absolutely nothing wrong with Lou Smit’s trying to help the Ramseys, if he believes they are truly innocent. That is his choice.

    What I do have a huge problem with is his continued insistence that he can be unbiased in this case. We have all heard that he is not working for the Ramseys, but he is, even if he is doing so without payment. We have heard he is still following the evidence, and if the evidence led to the Ramseys, well, so be it.

    One can make all kinds of statements, but if their own actions and their own words do not back up those words, then all credibility is lost. Lou Smit has been hopelessly compromised in this investigation. This is significant, because Lou Smit has had and still has access to all the evidence in the BPD’s case, taking some of it with him when he resigned to join the Ramseys’ own investigation.

    How can one put any faith in this man’s objectivity? I say we can’t. He’s working for the Ramseys. Period. With so much talk about accountability by our public officials, how about some accountability from Lou Smit?


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    1. "The Resignation Letter"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:03:34 4/22/2001


    September 20, 1998

    Dear Alex:
    It is with great reluctance and regret that I submit this letter of resignation. Even though I want to continue to participate in the official investigation and assist in finding the killer of JonBenet, I find that I cannot in good conscience be a part of the persecution of innocent people. It would be highly improper and unethical for me to stay when I so strongly believe this.

    It has been almost 19 months since we talked that day in your office and you asked me to assist you in this investigation. It has turned out to be more of a challenge than either one of us anticipated. When we first met I told you that my style of approaching an investigation is from the concept of not working a particular theory, but working the case. Detectives collect and record information from many sources, analyze it, couple that with their experience and training and let "the case" tell them where to go. This process may take days, weeks or years, depending on the direction the case tells you to go. Sometimes you must investigate "many paths" in order to find the killer. It is not a political speed contest where expediency should outweigh justice, where "resolving" the case is solving the case.

    Alex, even though I have been unable to actively investigate, I have been in a position to collect, record and analyze every piece of information given to your office in the course of this investigation. I believe that I know this case better than anyone does. I know what has been investigated and what hasn't, what evidence exists and what doesn't, what information has been leaked and what hasn't. I am a detective with a proven record of successful investigations. I have looked at the murder of JonBenet Ramsey through the eyes and experience and a thorough knowledge of the case.

    At this point of the investigation “the case†tells me that John and Patsy Ramsey did not kill their daughter, that a very dangerous killer is still out there and no one is actively looking for him….

    Detective Lou Smit


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    2. "About the Resignation Letter"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:04:39 4/22/2001

    From DOI: ( p. 300): “The press obtained this letter, although that was not Smit’s intention, and it was published in some newspapers about a week later.
    From PMPT: (p. 564-565) … “(Smit) knew it wouldn’t be long before the media got word of it, but it surprised him that Hunter didn’t call him until three days later – to say that The Denver Post knew he’d resigned and wanted a copy of his letter. Hunter was calling to ask Smit’s permission to release it to the press. Smit first said yes, then called Hunter back and asked him to wait a few days.

    Smit has already received a phone call from Sherry Kenne-Osborn of Newsweek. She also asked for permission to print his letter. Smit said no. Keene-Ostorn then drove all the way from Denver to Colorado Springs, where Smit lived on the west side of town….†…â€Keene-Osborn talked the retired detective into giving her an unsigned copy of his resignation letter….â€

    So, although it may not have been Smit’s original intention, he is the one who gave the letter to the press.


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    3. "Smitisms"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:06:22 4/22/2001

    "I cannot, in good conscience, participate in the persecution of innocent people."

    “Alex, even though I have been unable to actively investigate…â€

    "I believe that I know this case better than anyone does. I know what has been investigated and what hasn't, what evidence exists and what doesn't, what information has been leaked and what hasn't...."

    " In this case, however, I believe …, that innocent people are being targeted, and could be charged with a murder they did not commit."

    “At this point of the investigation “the case†tells me that John and Patsy Ramsey did not kill their daughter.â€

    The late Ruth Gerstenkorn’s site provides further insight into Lou Smit:

    “The following is an excerpt of law officers’ code of ethics written by Lou Smit for a law enforcement publication some time ago:

    Excerpt From the Law Officers’ Code of Ethics:
    “Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. “

    **From DOI, p. 193 , the Ramseys quote Lou Smit:

    "I need to be able to know that this important information is kept in a limited circle†…. .When we find the killer or killers, it's important that certain facts be known only to us and the killer. That's how we will know we've got our man."
    Detective Lou Smit has just shared what he believes is the biggest piece of evidence in the JBR case with the number one suspects in the murder.

    From IRMI, p.
    "In the following days and weeks, Lou Smit admitted that he talked to Jameson "a lot" because "she has good information."


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    4. "The beginning of the love affair"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:08:26 4/22/2001

    By Karen Auge
    Denver Post Staff Writer
    April 11
    John Ramsey said the only experienced investigator on the case, retired Detective Lou Smit, shares their view that an intruder killed their daughter.

    ***It is important that one looks at the people Smit continues to get information from. Susan Bennett/ aka Jameson is a citizen living on the east coast who has inserted herself into the case. She has no official authority to investigate, but she collects DNA evidence from who knows where and demands the BPD look at her evidence. Lou Smit admits talking to Susan Bennett.

    From the Law Officers’ Code of Ethics written by Smit:
    “I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions.â€

    From DOI, p. 180-181:
    …Patsy and I learned that every morning, Lou Smit drove by our house on Fifteenth Street and sat out in front…. We had to let Lou know how much we appreciated his dedication…

    A few days later, Patsy and I drove over to our old house early one morning, and sure enough, Lou Smit’s van was parked out front.

    “I’m happy to see you,†he said…

    Then he said, “Maybe we could pray together. We want God’s blessing on this investigation.â€
    We held hands and Lou said a short prayer.
    · * * * * * *


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    5. "The plot thickens"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:11:00 4/22/2001

    JonBenet probe to shrink in 2000
    by B.J.Plasket
    Daily Times-Call

    BOULDER — A scaled-down version of the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation will continue into next year — whether or not the county comes up with additional funding for the case.
    Meanwhile, prosecutors on Wednesday said they don't think former Ramsey -case Detective Lou Smit violated his employment contract by allegedly working with John and Patsy Ramsey , the only named suspects in the case. ..

    … The troubled three-year-old case took another embarrassing turn for prosecutors on Tuesday when a Denver newspaper reported that Lou Smit, the retired Colorado Springs detective who previously worked on the case for Hunter's office before resigning and declaring his belief that John and Patsy Ramsey are innocent, is now working for the Ramseys .

    Smit's contract contained a clause prohibiting him from ever disclosing "any confidential or proprietary information" gained while he worked on the case. ..

    Smit had access to the "war room" from which the probe was conducted and had access to more than 30,000 pages of evidence and reports.

    Wise said that Smit, before he resigned his job, expressed his belief that an intruder killed JonBenet and said that he is free to explore that belief as a private citizen.

    "I find no violation of (the contract)," Wise said. "I don't know if he's working for the Ramseys ."

    According to Wise, Smit would be in violation of his contract if he shared inside knowledge of the case with anyone, including the Ramseys , their investigators or their lawyers.

    Wise said the DA's office would have civil recourse against Smit if he violates that provision, but added he didn't know if it would constitute a criminal offense.

    Wise admitted, however, that it would be difficult to determine if Smit has shared confidential information with the Ramsey camp.â€


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    6. "Conflict of interest?"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:12:44 4/22/2001

    by B.J.Plasket
    Daily Times-Call
    …Hunter, while saying he "doesn't think" Smit will share his grand-jury knowledge with the Ramseys , did take the detective to task.
    "Lou's out of line in doing what he's doing," Hunter said. "He got off track."

    Associated Press
    March 17, 2000
    Ramseys Launch Controlled Book Tour

    …They also refer to a theory by retired Colorado Springs Police Detective Lou Smit that a stun gun was used on the 6-year-old beauty queen.

    Smit was a prosecution consultant for 18 months before resigning in 1998, contending the Ramseys were innocent. Since then, he has worked with them

    Note: Who can tell if Smit has shared confidential knowledge with the Ramseys? They have knowledge of evidence he had knowledge of, so how did they come by that knowledge? In reading DOI, it is amazing how many Smitisms are there – the theory of the intruder, the stun gun, all Smitisms. It is possible the Ramseys picked these Smitisms up by reading about Smit’s theory, but taking the account of the private meeting between Smit and the Ramseys regarding the stun gun evidence, one surely has to wonder about his judgment.


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    7. "The Fox Speaks"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:14:02 4/22/2001

    A former homicide investigator on the JonBenét Ramsey investigation says police should pay more attention to evidence that the 6-year-old beauty contestant was killed by an intruder.
    …. But retired Colorado Springs detective Lou Smit, speaking extensively for the first time on his role in the stalled investigation, says the Ramseys did not kill their daughter, according to today’s editions of the Denver Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post and the March 20 issue of Newsweek.

    Smit was called out of retirement in March 1997 to help the Ramsey investigation but resigned from the case in September 1998, saying he could not, “in good conscience, be a part of the persecution of innocent people.â€

    “I believe there’s evidence of an intruder, and I believe people should still be looking for him. There’s a dangerous guy out there,†he said.

    Newspaper reports late last year said Smit was working with the Ramseys on the case but was not being paid by them.

    OVERLOOKED EVIDENCE?

    According to Smit, that evidence includes:

    A metal baseball bat found outside the Ramseys’ home. Fibers on the bat matched a carpet found in the basement near the storage room, where JonBenét’s body was found on Dec. 26, 1996. The bat was found “in a place where kids normally wouldn’t play,†Smit said, refusing to elaborate.

    DNA evidence from JonBenét’s fingernails and underpants that indicates her attacker was a male. It has previously been reported that the DNA does not match John Ramsey’s.

    Peanut-shaped foam packing material and leaves found in the basement that Smit thinks might have been tracked inside by someone entering through a broken basement window.

    “It would have been something that would not have been blown in there,†Smit said.

    He said he chose to speak out, in part, to keep pressure on police to take his theory seriously.

    * * * * * * * * *


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    8. "Smit/Ramsey Myths:"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:15:36 4/22/2001

    “Smit believes the police were right to focus on the family at first. But he's dismayed at their reluctance to investigate alternatives

    Other quotes:

    Police Chief Mark Beckner said the department already has done that.
    “We have spent an incredible amount of time following up on leads in this case and a significant amount on the leads put forth by Lou Smit,†Beckner said.

    INRI, Page 297:
    "We had interviewed 590 people,
    consulted 64 outside experts,
    investigated and cleared more than 100 possible suspects,
    collected 1,058 pieces of evidence,
    tested over 500 items at federal, state, and private laboratories,
    gathered handwriting and nontestimonial evidence from 215 people,
    built a case file that now bulged to 30,000 pages,
    reviewed more than 3,400 letters and 700 telephone tips, and contacted seventeen states and two foreign countries.
    AND IT ALL KEPT LEADING US IN ONE DIRECTION.
    The detective team believed that John and Patsy Ramsey had knowledge of, and were involved in, the death of their daughter, JonBenet."
    * * * * * * *
    Associated Press
    March 17, 2000
    Police Chief Mark Beckner estimated police spent half their time looking at suspects outside the family.

    From Ruthie’s site:
    Smit and Beckner have expressed strongly opposed opinions about evidence in the case.
    "The problem with it is he ignores the other evidence in the case," said Beckner, who believes Smit may have grown too close to the Ramseys. "Some of the information he is using is not accurate."


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    9. "More Myths"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:17:19 4/22/2001

    Myth: Steve Thomas is a media whore because he wrote a book. Lou Smit is a professional who has never gone public with his story.
    Truth:
    Loyal to the cop's code never to talk about an ongoing investigation, Smit refused to publicly share the evidence that led him to his "intruder theory."

    But now Smit is breaking his silence. In an extensive interview with NEWSWEEK, the 64-year-old investigator laid out his theory, which raises questions about the police's handling of the case and points away from the parents.

    Even so, Smit's theory doesn't solve the case. He still can't answer the key question: who killed JonBenet? And his theory can't disprove the police case against the Ramseys, who officially remain under an "umbrella of suspicion."

    The Ramseys, who have always denied involvement in the murder, will come out with their own book, "The Death of Innocence," this week and appear in television interviews. Smit says he has no relationship with the Ramseys, but it's probably no coincidence that his revelations are timed to take full advantage of the latest publicity blitz for him."

    Lou Smit has also been seen on news programs and has taped an interview with Katie Couric which is slated to air during the May sweeps.


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    10. "From Ruthie's Website"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:21:14 4/22/2001

    Thank you Ruthie:
    My personal message to Detective Lou Smit:
    I quote from
    CRIME CLASSIFICATION MANUAL
    John E. Douglas, Ann W. Burgess, Allen G. Brugess, Robert K. Ressler:
    THE ASSESSMENT PHASE
    "Another pitfall that obscures these important details is the inablilty of the investigator to achieve a comfortable distance from the crime.
    Identification with the victim, perhaps relating the victim to a family member, prevents detachment from the crime, and judgment may become clouded by emotion."

    From DOI:

    The meeting between Lou Smit and the chief suspects in the murder of JBR
    (p.193 DOI)
    "....Do you know what a stun gun is?"
    "A stun Gun?" I frowned"
    "You understand what I'm talking about,?" Lou asked."
    "Sort of, I said.............I don't have any idea what one looks like." In the Ramseys' Book, Death Of Innocence, Detective Lou Smit is quoted as saying the following to John Ramsey.

    "I need to be able to know that this important information is kept in a limited circle.
    "........When we find the killer or killers, it's important that certain facts be known only to us and the killer. That's how we will know we've got our man."

    "....Do you know what a stun gun is?"
    "A stun Gun?" I frowned"
    "You understand what I'm talking about,?" Lou asked."
    "Sort of, I said.............I don't have any idea what one looks like."
    (p. 193, DOI) closeted meeting with the two main suspects, the Ramseys.


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    11. "More from Ruthie"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:23:35 4/22/2001

    Be careful the company you keep:
    "In the following days and weeks, Lou Smit admitted that he talked to Jameson "a lot" because "she has good information."

    I would have to let Lou Smit respond to this. I was asked to contact him as a suspect in June of 1997... obviously I learned to respect and trust him and I admit passing him information later.
    He did NOT reciproccate - and I would swear to that under oath. (Jameson)

    I question anything Susan Bennett says, "under oath" means nothing to her. She has her own definition of the "the truth." She has told me that "She lies well." Not well enough for me Susan! (Ruthie)

    " Smit said Jameson claimed to have secret information about the Whites, their Christmas party, and what the children did. "

    An absolute lie. THIS is the kind of thing that makes Thomas' book fiction. (Jameson)

    Susan is Smit telling an "absolute lie" or were you telling Smit an "absolute lie?" (Ruthie)

    "She passed Smit a tip about another Internet junkie who had found a Web site for child pornography and thought one of the children shown in an explicit sexual pose looked like the daughter of Ramsey housekeeper Linda-Hoffmann-Pugh.

    The DA's office began an investigation." (Ruthie)

    This is true. Not complete, but true. I did pass such a tip to the authorities and the CBI investigation lasted 8 weeks.
    (That should tell you how close a match the images were.) (Jameson)

    I would note that the investigation was not shared on the forums, it was done quietly as it should have been.
    It should NEVER have become public,
    (it really still isn't - the whole story is not known to anyone but me, actually)
    and, indeed, the fact that it DID get posted about later - MUCH later - well, that was not MY doing. (Jameson)

    For further reading at the late Ruth Gerstenkorn’s site regarding the credibility of Smit’s informant, Jameson, go here:

    http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/9337/jameson.html


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    12. "Steve Thomas on Lou Smit"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:25:01 4/22/2001

    Steve Thomas on Lou Smit:
    “Lou Smit is a gentle man and a gentleman. He has a gregarious personality, never has a bad word to say about anyone, and unfailingly shook my hand each time we met, no matter how upset we might be with each other. That unassuming manner and soft voice puts people off guard, and his easy smile, with a country boy toothpick at the side of his mouth, gets their trust. He is a family man and a devout Christian but can turn confrontational sometimes. Then the smile vanishes and sharp retort replaces politeness. A term was coined for such moments: “You’ve just been Smit on.â€
    …Soon after Smit was hired…he told me…â€Murders are usually wht they seem. Rarely are they perfectly planned…â€

    “He was cautious and noncommittal, which I considered prudent, since he had not yet had a chance to read the thousands of pages in the file. ..â€

    “Three days later at a detective briefing, Smit made his first appearance…He had been around only about 72 hours, not anywhere near long enough to devour the case material…â€

    …He said, ‘I don’t think it was the Ramseys.’

    He never budged from that position.†(IRMI, p. 148.)

    IRMI, p. 327: “Lou Smit, so emotional that he shed tears, was immovable in declaring John Ramsey innocent of any wrongdoing.â€


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    13. "In conclusion, sort of"
    Posted by Watching you on 11:25:50 4/22/2001

    Bottom Line: While Lou Smit may be a very nice man and a good detective, by his own actions and his own words, he has proven himself to be hopelessly biased in the JBR case. If he wishes to work on behalf of the Ramseys, no one can fault him for that, as long as he does not share confidential information with them.
    However, one cannot dismiss the fact that he is in possession of confidential information, both physical and stored in his brain, concerning the case and it is not acceptable to expect others to believe he will not use those materials to further the Ramseys’ case. This does not in any way accuse Mr. Smit of wrong doing but only says that information can and most likely does affect the way he conducts his investigations for the Ramseys. It requires that others take Mr. Smit at his word, and while Smit may swear he has not revealed information, he has no way of proving that to other interested parties and it is unfair and irrational to expect others to merely accept his word without question, especially in light of the fact he already shared evidence with the Ramseys as admitted by the Ramseys in their book.

    And, while is it perfectly within Mr. Smit’s rights to pursue whatever he feels is right, it is clear that Mr. Smit cannot be and is not objective in this case. The fact is, the parents have not been cleared in the death of their child. Mr. Smit works entirely (by his own words) from the premise the Ramseys are not involved and in fact he shares evidence with them, as shown in the passage in DOI regarding the stun gun meeting – and this while he was allegedly working for the DA.

    All one hopes for is honesty. If Mr. Smit wants to pursue the intruder theory, fine. But, he should no longer expect others to subscribe to the myth that he is objective and would arrest the parents if evidence led to them. He has proved by his own actions and his own words that he will never participate in their arrest.
     
  3. Watching You

    Watching You Superior Bee Admin

    Lou Smit

    should be removed from this investigation immediately and a special investigator should be appointed by the governor. Sign the petition, everyone.
     
  4. zoomama

    zoomama Active Member

    Thanks, WY

    for all that about loose mit. It is good to recall just how he worked during his investigation of this case. (or not as the case may be)

    It is was also good to read Ruthie's words. I miss her and loved her very much. Several months after she passed away I received a card in the mail that was from her. She had addressed it but hadn't mailed it. Her family did. It was a shock but a lovely one when I got that card. I treasure it!
     
  5. DocG

    DocG Banned

    I very much agree, WY.

    If Smit were impartial he'd be willing to admit that literally ALL the so-called intruder evidence is highly speculative. His intruder through the window theory is simply untenable. There are NO signs on the window sill and frame that anyone went through there. HE knows that. But when discussing his pet theory he simply glosses over it. Never ever have I seen him actually even attempt to deal with that issue. He has released highly misleading photographs of the outdoor scene in full daylight in an effort to discount reports that there were no footprints in the snow and frost hours earlier, prior to sunrise. HE knows this is nonsense and that these photos prove NOTHING. Reichenbach referenced old patches of snow AND fresh frost, which wouldn't have been visible in a photo in any case. Smit knows that. But he points at those photos anyhow. Totally dishonest IMO.

    He is behaving like an advocate, like an attorney in fact -- NOT like an impartial investigator. Literally everything he's done on the case is for the benefit of a reasonable doubt defense. I see NO evidence of any effort on his part to actually track down that intruder or investigate with any degree of thoroughness any particular suspect.

    I do NOT share Thomas high opinion of this guy. I don't know whether he's being paid or not, or what his motives are, but he is certainly a part of team Ramsey.
     
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