Ramseys Want Suspect Investigated

Wednesday, January 10th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) â€” John and Patsy Ramsey want police handling their daughter's 1996 slaying to investigate a suspect accused of using a stun gun in a Denver-area rape attempt.

The Ramseys made the request in a chapter added to the paperback edition of their book, ``The Death of Innocence,'' in which they claim an intruder used a stun gun when he killed their daughter, JonBenet, 6. Police have said the parents are under suspicion.

The Ramseys did not identify the man, who allegedly attacked a teen-age neighbor in August. The attack was interrupted by the girl's aunt, court records said.

Ollie Gray, a Ramsey investigator, told The Daily Camera newspaper that the case is similar to JonBenet's slaying but he has not found a definite link.

He said Boulder police, who have better access to information, should work with Douglas County sheriff's investigators handling the assault case.

Police Chief Mark Beckner was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Douglas County prosecutors do not believe there is a connection between their assault case and the Ramsey slaying, spokesman Michael Knight said.

An investigation did not turn up any previous charges against the suspect in Colorado or any involvement with children, he said.

JonBenet was found beaten and strangled on Dec. 26, 1996, in the basement of her family's home. A white cord was wrapped around her neck and duct tape was across her mouth.

In the attempted rape, investigators found a handgun, a utility knife, about 30 feet of yellow rope, handcuffs and a stun gun at the suspect's home, the Ramseys wrote.

The man, who is free on $600,000 bond and scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 22, has been ordered to provide blood and hair samples.

The Ramseys also mentioned a September 1997 attack on a Boulder girl that police already have said they do not believe is linked to JonBenet's slaying.

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On the Net:

Ramseys' site: http://www.ramseyfamily.com

Boulder police: http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/police