October 11, 1999
Web posted at: 2:21 p.m. EDT (1821 GMT)

BOULDER, Colorado (CNN) -- The JonBenet Ramsey grand jury meets at least once more -- on Tuesday -- before announcing a decision on its investigation of the 6-year-old girl's death. The panel has an October 20 deadline to issue indictments, issue a report or disband without taking action.

Over the weekend, Henry Lee, a top forensic scientist, met with a prosecution team led by Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter to discuss the case. There was no word on the outcome of the talks, which concluded Sunday evening, said Suzanne Laurion, a spokeswoman for Hunter.

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Lee, director of the Connecticut State Police Forensic Lab, is an expert in crime-scene reconstruction and DNA analysis. He has been advising Boulder investigators as they present evidence to the grand jury, which was first convened in September 1998.

Even if the panel disbands without taking any action, prosecutors could still seek an indictment at a later time because there is no statute of limitation for murder.

On Friday, Hunter hinted that an announcement might be imminent in the nearly three-year-old case, telling reporters to stay in contact with his office during the weekend. Later, however, Laurion said there would be no public statements on the case during the weekend.

John and Patsy Ramsey maintain their innocence

JonBenet, a child beauty contestant once crowned "Little Miss Colorado," was found strangled, bound and beaten in her home on December 26, 1996, about seven hours after her mother called 911 to report the girl was missing.

She told police she had found a two-and-a-half page note demanding $118,000 for JonBenet's safe return.

Hunter has previously said the girl's parents -- John and Patsy Ramsey -- are "under an umbrella of suspicion."

Asked Monday if the parents are "the" target of the grand jury investigation, Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant, one of four metro-area prosecutors advising Hunter, said they are "a" target. He offered no elaboration.

The Ramseys have both said they are innocent.

Correspondent Greg LaMotte contributed to this report.

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