Mary Lacy

Mary Lacy (formerly known as Mary Keenan) was the Boulder District Attorney from 2001 to 2009. She was involved in the case from the beginning as chief of the sexual assault unit in the DA's office. As District Attorney, Lacy was known for her multiple public statements in support of the Ramseys, and for enthusiastically pursuing the theory that John Mark Karr killed JonBenet, resulting in the case's most notorious failed lead.

Early Involvement in the case (1996-2001)
Born in Iowa, Mary Lacy had been with the DA's office since 1983. text

"Butt print"
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Election as District Attorney (2001)
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Taking the Case from Police
The Ramseys' lawyer, Lin Wood, threatened a lawsuit against the Boulder Police. The Ramseys were refusing to speak to police despite police saying they had "new questions". In a letter to Lacy, Wood repeated his threats, and promised that the Ramseys would cooperate if the case was transferred to the District Attorney's office. Mary Lacy and Police Chief Mark Beckner agreed to this arrangment.

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First Public Statement of Support for Ramseys
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John Mark Karr Arrest
Lacy claimed she was "not embarrassed" by the Karr fiasco

Trip Demuth publicly criticized her saying “I can’t say I’ve found her to be meticulous in the past and thorough,” he said. “I would have never (arrested Karr). … You collect your evidence first, then you arrest.”

2008 "Exoneration Letter"
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2016 exposé
The Boulder Daily Camera revealed Mary Lacy had known