'JonBenet journalism' in the halls of justice

By: Jim Moscou Twists and turns in the legal labyrinth ensnare 'information brokers,' a lawyer, an editor, and, of course, the tabs

It's a justice coming that few, if any, expected from the brutal killing of this innocent little girl. But nearly three years after the Christmas slaying of JonBenet Ramsey ? a murder that continues to skirt its own justice ? "JonBenet journalism" is being hauled into court and held accountable. And, in a case not shy of self-appointed crusaders and sensational twists, one tabloid caught in this legal web promised to use courtroom proceedings to find JonBenet's killer.
That oath came last week when John and Patsy Ramsey filed a multimillion-dollar libel lawsuit on behalf of their 12-year-old son Burke against the tabloid Star. As that paper prepares for a legal battle, prosecutors in Jefferson County, Colo. ? a suburb of Denver ? continued to tighten the legal noose around a Colorado lawyer, a tabloid editor, and a pair of "information brokers."

The Star
For weeks, L. Lin Wood, an Atlanta-based attorney for the Ramsey family, claimed he was going to file a libel lawsuit against the tabloid Star on behalf of Burke. In a carefully orchestrated event Nov. 30, Wood did just that, announcing on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America" the same-day filing of the 25-million-dollar claim.
The lawsuit pointed to a particularly damning May 1999 piece that was headlined, "JonBenet Was Killed By Brother Burke." The story created such a flurry that it compelled the Boulder district attorney to publicly clear Burke of any suspicion ? something he had already done by default in 1997 when officials acknowledged the boy as a "witness" in the case. A few weeks later, the Star printed a rare, front-page retraction. But Wood equated the story and correction to someone yelling "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater and later apologizing.
Not one to cower under libel threats, the Star's parent company, New York-based American Media Inc., took the Ramseys' charge as a challenge. The company issued a press release saying it intends to use the lawsuit (that is, discovery and depositions) to ask, "Who killed JonBenet Ramsey? Star intends to answer that question through this litigation."
Wood, who called the statement a threat toward the Ramseys, said the Star was, "just blowing smoke. Every inch of [the Ramseys'] lives has already been subject to a massive investigation. They have nothing to hide."
Wood added it'll be the Star's reporters and editors who "will be sweating on the stand." Also perspiring a bit might be other tabloids. Wood confirmed he'll be filing claims against the tabloids Globe and National Examiner, both owned by American Media as well.

The 'information brokers'
The criminal case of two Colorado "information brokers" ? James J. and Regana Rapp (E(and)P, July 24, p. 22) inched closer to resolution Dec. 1 when Regana pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining personal data on the Ramsey. The husband-wife team were indicted last summer by a grand jury for, among other things, dredging up and selling the Ramseys' telephone and banking information.
The case against James Rapp ? the primary operator of the shop that was doing business as "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" ? remains open, but is also expected to be settled with a guilty plea. If not, Regana Rapp's plea bargain ? a two-year deferred prison sentence and community service ? includes an agreement to testify against her husband, who is facing up to 24 years in prison.

The editor and the lawyer
A Colorado grand-jury investigation into Globe News Editor Craig Lewis remains in legal limbo as the tabloid's attorneys attempt to derail a looming indictment of their client. The jury is examining whether Lewis committed criminal extortion and commercial bribery, the latter a possible charge stemming from an incident in which Lewis attempted to buy the widely publicized Ramsey ransom note for 30,000 dollars. If indicted and convicted, Lewis could be facing more than seven years in prison.
The man who originally arranged Lewis' bid to buy the ransom note, Thomas Miller, an attorney, was indicted last summer on a commercial bribery charge. He is currently free on bail, and, if convicted, could be sentenced to 18 months in jail.
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(copyright: Editor & Publisher December 4, 1999) [Caption]