TEXT of Letter from Boulder DA Special Homicide Investigator, Lou Smit to Alex Hunter, Boulder DA:
     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 JonBenét, 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
     JonBenét Ramsey through the eyes of age and experience and a thorough knowledge of the case.

     At this point in 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. There
     are still many areas of investigation which must be explored before life and death decisions are made.

     When I was hired I had no agenda one way or the other, my allegiance was to the case, not the
     Police Department nor John and Patsy Ramsey. My agenda has not changed... I only desire to be
     able to investigate the case and find the killer of JonBenét and will continue to do so as long as I am
     able. The chances of catching him working from the "outside looking in" are very slim, but
     I have a great "Partner" who I'm sure will lead the way. There is no doubt that I will be facing a
     great deal of opposition and ridicule in the future, because I intend to stand with this family and
     somehow help them through this and find the killer of their daughter. Perhaps others who believe
     this will also help.

     The Boulder Police Department has many fine and dedicated men and women who also want justice
     for JonBenét. They are just going in the wrong direction and have been since day one of the
     investigation. Instead of letting the case tell them which way to go, they have elected to follow a
     theory and let their theory direct them rather than allowing the evidence to direct them.
     The case tells me that there is substantial, credible, evidence of an intruder and lack of evidence that
     the parents are involved. If this is true, they too are tragic victims whose misery has been
     compounded by a misdirected and flawed investigation, unsubstantiated leaks, rumors and
     accusations.

     I have worked in this profession for the past 32 years and have always been loyal to it, the men and
     women in it, and what it represents, because I believed that justice had always prevailed. In this
     case, however, I believe that justice is not being served, that innocent people are being targeted and
     could be charged with a murder they did not commit.

     The law enforcement Code of Ethics states it very well. My fundamental duty is to "serve mankind;
     to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against
     oppression or intimidation, the peaceful against violence or disorder. To respect the constitutional
     rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice." This applies not only to JonBenét but to her mother
     and father as well.

     I want to thank you and the others in the office for the wonderful support and treatment I have
     received. You have a great DA's office and the men and woman who work with you are some of the
     most honest and dedicated people I have ever met. My life has been enriched because of this
     memorable time together. I have especially enjoyed working closely with Peter Hofstrom and
     Trip DeMuth, who also have dedicated so much of their lives to this case. I have never met two
     more fair, honest and dedicated defenders of our system.

     Alex, you are in such a difficult decision. The media and peer pressure are incredible. You are
     inundated with conflicting facts and information, and "expert" opinions. And now you have an old
     detective telling you that the Ramseys did not do it and to wait and investigate this case more
     thoroughly before a very tragic mistake would be made. What a double travesty it could be; an
     innocent person indicted, and a vicious killer on the loose to prey on another innocent child and no
     one to stop him.

     History will be the judge as to how we conducted ourselves and how we handled our responsibilities.

     Shoes, shoes, the victim's shoes, who will stand in the victim's shoes?

     Good Luck to you and your fine office and may God bless you in the awesome decisions you must
     soon make.

     Sincerely,

     Detective Lou Smit