Chief Mark Beckner Responds To Media Questions About Lou Smit Television Appearance
Boulder, Colorado
April 30, 2001 In response to questions about Lou Smit and his Ramsey case theories, the Boulder Police Department believes it would be improper to debate the merits of the evidence in the public arena. Both Police and District Attorney investigators have been aware of Lou Smit's theories and interpretation of the evidence since 1997. Lou Smit left the investigation in the fall of 1998 and has not been involved for the last 2 1/2years of ongoing investigation. The case and development of evidence has changed significantly over that period of time. "We certainly do not know what Mr. Smit hopes to accomplish, but we do not wish to have public debate about what evidence we do and do not have," Chief Mark Beckner said. "We will simply continue to do the work we've been doing." Current facts and figures related to the investigation are as follows: Number of people formally interviewed to date: More than 600
(Note: Many have been interviewed more than one time)
Number of outside experts and consultants utilized to date: More than 60
Number of persons investigated as possible suspects to date: About 140
Number of items of evidence logged into property to date: About 1,400
Approximate size of investigative case file to date: About 40,000 pages
Number of phone tips: About 5,200
Number of letters received in reference to Ramsey case: More than 3,500
Number of states investigation has taken Boulder Police to: 17
There will be no further comments by the Police Department.
April 30, 2001 In response to questions about Lou Smit and his Ramsey case theories, the Boulder Police Department believes it would be improper to debate the merits of the evidence in the public arena. Both Police and District Attorney investigators have been aware of Lou Smit's theories and interpretation of the evidence since 1997. Lou Smit left the investigation in the fall of 1998 and has not been involved for the last 2 1/2years of ongoing investigation. The case and development of evidence has changed significantly over that period of time. "We certainly do not know what Mr. Smit hopes to accomplish, but we do not wish to have public debate about what evidence we do and do not have," Chief Mark Beckner said. "We will simply continue to do the work we've been doing." Current facts and figures related to the investigation are as follows:
(Note: Many have been interviewed more than one time)
