Michael Bynum

"Patsy and I could not have survived all of this without the extremely important contributions made by Mike Bynum."

- John Ramsey - Death of Innocence

Michael Bynum was John Ramsey's business lawyer, who coordinated the Ramseys' legal defense on day one, December 26, 1996. Bynum had brought in criminal law firm Haddon and Morgan by the next day.

John Ramsey later referred to Bynum as a "friend"

Background
In 1973 and 1974, Bynum worked for Alex Hunter as a deputy in the Boulder District Attorney's office. 1974 was the same year Peter Hofstrom joined the DA's office as a paralegal.

Bynum invested with John Ramsey in Pasta Jay's restaurant.

Business lawyer Access Graphics. John's attorney at the time of the killing.

Day One
Mike Bynum arrived at the Fernies house on day one, a matter of hours after the body had been discovered. John Ramsey stated that Bynum had brought food from Pasta Jay's restaurant.

It is not clear how Bynum found out about the killing, or who asked him to come.

When testifying under oath John Ramsey was instructed not to answer questions about the hiring of Bynum on the basis of attorney-client privilege.

Schiller states John asked Bynum to represent him in this case at

Bynum immediately began coordinating the defense case.

On the evening of day one, Bynum contacted Fleet White and asked him to come to his law offices the next day.

It is not clear when the Haddon Morgan firm was brought in, though one of their lawyers Saskia Jordan was present at Bynum's offices the next day.

After day one
Though meetings were happening in Bynum's law offices, It is not known to what extent Bynum himself was involved in the defense case after day one, as John Ramsey was instructed not to answer questions about this on the basis of attorney client privilege.

In 1997 the Ramseys stayed at Bynum's house for "a few days, maybe a week" (Patsy 2000 interview), then moved to Jay Elowski's house, and then moved to the Stines' house.

Later activities
Moved to Moab, continues to be involved in restaurant business with john and jay elowski.