JonBenet suspect departs Thailand for US

BANGKOK – The suspect in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, who sought treatment at a sex-change clinic during his stay in Thailand, departed for the United States yesterday to face charges in the killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen.

John Mark Karr, with three US officials as escorts, was on Thai Airways International flight TG794 bound for Los Angeles. It took off from Don Muang International Airport after 8 p.m.(1300 GMT).Karr is to end his journey in Boulder, Colorado, where he faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child sexual assault in connection with the 1996 killing.The 41-year-old school teacher sat in a business class window seat next to Mark Stray, an investigator with the Boulder District Attorney’s office.A US Embassy official and a security officer with “Homeland Security” emblazoned on his T-shirt were also part of the escort party.Before take-off, Karr, who was not handcuffed, took a glass of champagne from a cabin attendant and clinked classes with Stray, who had selected an orange juice.Hours before departure a doctor at Pratunam Polyclinic, which specialises in sex-change operations, said, “He was one of my patients.”But Dr.Thep Vechavisit refused to provide details of the treatment.Nampa-APIt took off from Don Muang International Airport after 8 p.m.(1300 GMT).Karr is to end his journey in Boulder, Colorado, where he faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and child sexual assault in connection with the 1996 killing.The 41-year-old school teacher sat in a business class window seat next to Mark Stray, an investigator with the Boulder District Attorney’s office.A US Embassy official and a security officer with “Homeland Security” emblazoned on his T-shirt were also part of the escort party.Before take-off, Karr, who was not handcuffed, took a glass of champagne from a cabin attendant and clinked classes with Stray, who had selected an orange juice.Hours before departure a doctor at Pratunam Polyclinic, which specialises in sex-change operations, said, “He was one of my patients.”But Dr.Thep Vechavisit refused to provide details of the treatment.Nampa-AP