New Prosecutor Coming to Ramsey Case

Dec. 26, 2000 -- Four years since the nation was shocked by the violent death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in her Boulder, Colo. Home, yet another investigator will be appointed to reexamine the case

Mary Keenan, who has worked on the JonBenet slaying as chiefdeputy district attorney, will be sworn in as Boulder Countydistrict attorney on Jan. 9, succeeding Alex Hunter, who wascriticized for not filing charges in the slaying of the 6-year-oldbeauty queen. Hunter did not seek re-election.

Today, the home where JonBenet and her family used to live is now only inhabited by no one. The family has long since moved to Atlanta. But police continue the investigation of the death of the charming child beauty queen— an investigation that has not led to a single arrest has been made in connection to the case.

Police and JonBenet’s parents said they hope Keenan will improvecommunication between police and prosecutors, whose relationshiphas been strained over the case.

Patsy Ramsey in particular hopes that the incoming DA will clear them. Sources say police mishandling of the case makes it impossible to charge anyone of murder. But the Ramseys are still under the umbrella of suspicion.

A Fateful Day in 1996

JonBenet was found slain on Dec. 26, 1996, in her family’s home.For 13 months, a grand jury investigated the case without indicting anyone.

The Ramseys, who live near Atlanta, deny any involvement in thedeath and contend an intruder killed their daughter.

During the investigation, police and prosecutors were at oddsover the best way to proceed. Two investigators resigned, one ofthem accusing Hunter of trying to protect the Ramseys.

Keenan, who declined to discuss her role in the case up to now,said she plans to bring the agencies closer with several measures,including a weekly review of major cases. She said she wants torebuild the reputation of the district attorney’s office.

“I’m not going to make any decisions in this office—minor ormajor—because I want to be re-elected,” she said. “If I do agood job, I’ll get re-elected and if I don’t, I don’t deserve to bere-elected.”

Known for Work with Sex-Assault Cases

Keenan, a Democrat, earned her law degree at the University ofIowa and joined Hunter’s office in 1985. A single mother of twogrown children, Keenan was head of Hunter’s sex assault unit. Shedefeated lawyer David Sanderson in November to win the top job.

“She has a reputation that I think is deserved for being toughand, I also feel, thoughtful in her handling of sex assault cases.It is a very difficult area and one of the tributes I think shedeserves has been a willingness to tackle tough cases,” Huntersaid.

L. Lin Wood, the Ramseys’ lawyer, said he wants Keenan to “movethis case forward.” He added: “I hope she is also a courageousprosecutor and can resist any pressure from the Boulder PoliceDepartment to file charges against my clients.”

Wood said the only way to solve the case is to bring in newinvestigators, perhaps an independent panel of experts, or hand thecase over to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Police Chief Mark Beckner said he is looking forward to workingwith Keenan to improve relations between police and prosecutors:“Anything that increases communication between the agencies is apositive.”

Patsy Ramsey was Miss West Virginia 1977 and is a native ofParkersburg, W.Va.

ABCNEWS Radio and The Associated Press contributed to this report