Any hunches as to Red John's identity?
Brett Stiles - he has the charm and charisma needed to get a horde of minions doing his bidding but: 1) IMO is too old to commit these murders 2) his age does not fit that of a young Red John staying at the Red Barn 3) RJ has a high-pitched playful voice when we heard him speak years ago and 3) in a past episode Jane bitch-slapped Stiles...which RJ never would have tolerated.
Gale Bertram - he comes off as a bumbling doofus but, just like a Detective Columbo, he must be good at something since he's the CBI Chief. Although he could hide him plain site based on his position, like Stikes he's is a bit long-in-the-tooth and I doubt Bertram could seduce the ladies to do his bidding. Very unlikely since he also does not have a high-pitched voice.
Raymond Haffner - fits a lot of the criteria...handsome, powerful position with inside knowledge, possibly worked at the Red Barn and knew RJ. Possible candidate.
Reede Smith - who is this guy? Based on his photo, I doubt he could make woman swoon and commit/cover-up murder for him. An unknown, unlikely.
Bob Kirkland - possible candidate IMO...has almost as many qualifications going for him as Ray Haffner.
Tom McAllister - he was in a very early episode and I don't recall a lot of details. On the surface, it seems unlikely that a small town Sheriff would have the cumming, resources and skills needed to be RJ. Slightly more credible candidate than Smith.
Brett Partridge - he seems to be everyone favorite candidate lately based on his position (forensics expert close to the crimes), his high-pitched voice, and his slender physique around 6ft. tall. Offhand, I cannot see him having power over a brood of broads, and he certainly seemed to backdown when Jane challenged him in past episodes.
My take - as I've already maintained, Red John is less about a person than it is about a network of people. I think more than one candidate are on the list and that people who have met Red John have met a one of the RJs. Perhaps this Red John Network was forced at the Red Barn many years ago and the leader is not on the list or it is done by consensus. I think Bertram, Haffner, Smith, Kirkland and Partridge are all involved. That's why Red John appears to be omnipotent. We shall see.
The Seven Suspects:
Brett Stiles - the leader of the Visualize Self-Realization Center
Gale Bertram - CBI Chief
Raymond Haffner - CBI Lead Agent
Reede Smith - I don't have a clue who this is?
Bob Kirkland - Homeland Security Agent hunting Red John
Thomas McAllister - Sheriff of something...I vaguely remember him from a past episode (small town?)
Brett Partridge - Forensic Investigator
Okay, can someone fill me in on Reede Smith and Thomas McAllister? Any guesses as to Red John's identity?
