LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-04 AT 10:42 AM (EST)
 
I am convinced, and always have been, that the blow to the head was a mercy blow, just as the blow to the head was made to human sacrifice victims in Celtic ancient times. When human sacrifices were burned in the regular ceremonies to their Gods, they were knocked out with a rock, then put in wicker baskets, and then put on a roaring fire.

"Archeological records reveal a number of sacrificial deaths, such as "Triple-deaths". In Triple deaths the victim was drowned, stoned, and impaled on a spear simultaneously; another form was to be blugeoned, garroted and drowned. "
http://www.tylwythteg.com/tylwythteg/sacrifice.html

JonBenet's death mimics the Lindow Man death, which was on display at the University of Texas at the time, where Bill McReynolds had once taught. Notice the date and place of this post:
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/wilson/ant304/projects/projects97/dentep/boglindow.htm

Lindow Man had been hit on the head and garrotted, also stabbed and then his body dropped into the pond, where it lay preserved for nearly 2000 years.
http://www.mummytombs.com/mummylocator/featured/lindowman.htm
"First, he had been hit twice on the crown of his head with a blunt object, probably an ax; he had also been struck once at the base of his skull. Second, he had been strangled. Around Lindow Man's neck was a small rope that had been twisted tightly, closing off his windpipe and breaking two of his neck vertebrae. Finally, scientists found a gash at the throat, which may indicate that his throat was cut, though some scientists think that the wound occurred naturally after his death. If indeed his throat was cut, it was probably done to drain his body of blood."

Notice that he was hit on the head twice. Perhaps the first blow was not as effective as hoped and he was still conscious after it. Or perhaps this was a routine which gave "double mercy" to make absolutely certain that he would not experience the pain of the stabbing, garrote, and drowning.

The purpose of the sacrifices was, as explained in the first URL above, "thus showing a belief that one sacrificed would give way for another to be saved. " I believe the person to be saved was the one who was the "close friend" who was fearful that JonBenet would report molestation, as evidenced by the unproven "rumor".

Therefore the contention in the first URL above:
"Witches and Druids today perform no such sacrifices as was referred to by Caesar and not only do we not believe in sacrifice, we do not advocate the killing of any living being unless in self defense or for sustenance of life. " is true to some degree but not totally.

edit to add:

The only places that the Romans did not "purge" the Celts was in Ireland and Wales. McR is Irish.
There is a large contingent of "pagan" churches in Boulder:
http://www.witchvox.com/vn/hm/usco.html
I only post that to show my point that Celtic witchcraft is alive and well in Colorado, but actually it is nationwide, and Colorado is simply one place where it is well established. I do not know if the McReynolds were secretly involved in any such church. In fact, they were purportedly attending the Unity Church of Boulder:
http://www.fostercross.org/common/frame.php?ID=3634
which has no clear link to paganism.