LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-04 AT 02:42 PM (EST)
 
"Quite some time ago, when I first read the title of this thread, I reacted to the words 'control device' as more relating to physical control and felt it very strange, but opened the thread anyway."

It probably is strange. I was thinking more along the lines of a physical item used for control even if not face to face.

"And although I would not necessarily think the note-writer was 'controlled'..."

Let us say the hypothesis of "revenge crime" is correct. Typically, one thinks of an angry individual, angry enough to kill, who loses his temper and fully vents his hatred as soon as he feels free to do so. I don't see that in this case.

The note begins politely, almost cordially, before it descends to threats and taunting. Even those, though, are kept within the context of the note. There are no tangents about 'getting even." JonBenét was taken from her bed quietly and carefully. The application of the garotte was controlled in that pressure enough to cut into skin and underlying structures did not occur. There was not full or repeated penetration during the vaginal assault. The blunt force trauma was one, well-aimed blow. For someone who was out for revenge, this individual acted in a very controlled way. My impression of the note is NoteWriter was eager to say more, but could not. In terms of control, I think the offender is very controlled and would consider losing one's temper beneath him. I think he is a bit of a snob this way.

"He so reveled in power that he undoubtedly lacks it in his normal life. After all, who can revel in power over a six year old girl if he is a full grown man? Only someone who is utterly at odds with the whole world in which he lives."

I have to agree this is the inner condition of the offender. Do those around him see it, too? Not really. He is used to interacting with the world and knows what society wants to hear. Those around him might think he is a pompous jerk or "wimp" at times but he keeps to himself for the most part, and no one really wonders what he does when they aren't around him. He has a carefully crafted facade for family and "friends." He knows society doesn't consider a grown man attacking a child as particularly brave or courageous. He knows he has violated the ultimate taboo. He just doesn't see it that way. I would dare to take it one step further to say he is throwing this crime in our faces right along with the Ramseys by challenging LE as Braveheart has pointed out.