I just found something that could be a major clue...

Red Sky in the Morning, season 2 finale, Jane and Red John come face to face. Red John enters, shoots the copycat killers, Jane falls to the floor in his chair, Red John cuts the victims open, lifts Jane up and recites the Tyger poem. Then he appears to go away but comes back. Then the interesting part happens.

He strokes Patrick's shoulder twice and then pats it. 

Video to the exact moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns_DWnqrEdI#t=110s

Sounds familiar? Remember the episode when Rigsby was hypnotized and the only way to bring him out of his trance was by doing a certain pattern only the hypnotist knew used to make him go into such trance (the trigger)? That's episode Russet Potatoes, from season 1. What was the pattern that snapped Rigsby out of his trance? You guessed it - tapping his shoulder.

Something even crazier happened this season though. Behind the Red Curtain. Robert Kirkland and Jane are at the hospital at the beginning of the episode. Guess what.

Kirkland strokes Patrick twice while saying "Look at you, you're a mess." This video shows the exact moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3MRlGFmPjw#t=38s

And then, at the end of the episode, he pats Patrick (although, this time, just once): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfhfOhB7Qxc#t=203s

And finally, something else to point out. Kirkland was drinking a Bloody Mary in episode Red Letter Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i5TSyRONTI#t=213s

The same drink Patrick was drinking in Red Rover, Red Rover, for the anniversary of her wife and child's death (in S04E23): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pHcS1aXYeo

As much as I hate to say it, Kirkland may be Red John after all. How else could he have known about the trigger?

I have a theory about that, but maybe it's way too far-fetched. I think it'd explain a few things if Red John was someone who worked at the psychiatric hospital Patrick was in after his wife and child were killed. Perhaps he was hypnotized as a patient and that was the trigger they used for their patients. That could also explain how they got to know about Patrick's happy memory without him even knowing that. Maybe Kirkland found out about the pattern too (we know he's been following Jane closely for years).

I don't believe that Red John is one person, but really several people all controlled by Kristina Frye, the real "Red John". She is using hypnosis, which is very prevalent in the show, to have others commit the red john acts.

-She has been involved since Season 1.
-She is the only one I believe that could be so omnipresent and omnipotent. No one on the list could have possibly come up with the same list, unless of course the producers don't care about realism and just go for shock value. But with Kristina, who believes/faking that she is a psychic, I would believe that she could. She is very much the same as Jane and could produce this.
-She also disappeared during Season 2 finale and Red John conveniently shows up.
-She has not been present in the show for a while, so this would be a major twist.
-This situation where she controls others would also allow the producers to have another fake Red John and thus prolong the mystery. Face it, once revealed  what will the show focus on and how impactful will following seasons be? If they catch Red John and then while Patrick is interrogating or just before dying, realizes that he is hypnotized  it will give Patrick motive to continue the hunt while maybe everyone else is satisfied of the end of Red John.

She is the only one I will not be disappointed with.

Also, I think the producers don't know and are reading this site looking for the best answer. ;)

A lot of interesting theories out there. I'll give my take on the list of seven and then tell you who I believe to be Red John. Enjoy!

1. Bret Stiles- Probably too old to be Red John, but I feel he will be involved somehow; if not because of the Visualize link already established, maybe because he has a family relationship to Red John or a tie in to Jane's circus past. Stiles could be Red John because of his power, wealth and mind-controlling abilities. He would definitely have the resources and network to do the things Red John can do. Additionally, the message that Lorelei read did have a striking resemblance to the way he speaks. All that said, I believe him when he says he knows more than Jane or Jane's friend John could ever possibly know (The Blood on His Hands). Stiles truly believes in his cult and its message, and I don't think that message is about murder, although I could be mistaken.

2. Gale Bertram. Bertram is a very intriguing possibility to me. Before he first meets Jane, he syas he is anxious to meet the "Boy Wonder." Hardly anyone refers to Patrick as the "Boy Wonder" except for people that know of his circus past. That could simply mean that Bertram read Jane's personnel file thoroughly or he is related to Jane's former life. Furthermore, he very casually drops a William Blake poem in a season 3 episode (I believe Red Queen). Only Red John associates, Jane, Cho and JJ Laroche ever mention Blake (Cho and Laroche only in reference that they know of the poet's work). Now that could be a red herring or it could be a unifying theme for Red John/his followers. Also Bertram's position as CBI director, along with his influential friends could give him the access to the vast network of resources needed to pull off Red John's crimes with almost no traceability. However, I am going to pass on Bertram as Red John and instead place him as either Red John's right hand or high ranking associate.

3. Ray Hafner. Although he only appears in 2 episodes, Hafner is a strong possibility for Red John. In the 2nd episode of season 4, he comes across as a bit over-matched by Jane, but it is mentioned that he has excellent surveillance skills. If he is Red John, Hafner's surveillance skills could be how he seemingly stays one step ahead of Jane at all times. Stronger evidence pointing to Hafner would be his ties to the Visualize farm. That is where Red John supposedly gets his start and Hafner fits the profile of someone who could have been on that farm as an early member of Visualize. His time at Visualize most likely gave him the necessary mind-controlling skills that RJ would have to possess to carry out his attacks and control such a vast network of minions. All strong evidence for Hafner, but I believe he is a clever red herring because I don't see a tie in between him and Jane's past.

4. Reede Smith- I am not surprised at all to see Smith on the list. For only appearing in one episode, he comes in at a crucial time. His most important scene to me is when Jane mentions that Red John's followers all carry a red glass bead on them. Smith doesn't casually or nervously laugh, he more laughs out of amusement and the absurdity of Jane's notion. What does he know that we do not? While I would find the back story on how Smith became RJ intriguing, I don't feel there is one. Instead, I'll classify him as Red John's friend in the FBI.

5. Bob Kirkland. This guy practically screams Red John. He first appears in Red Dawn in the back of a limo showing his approval to Alexa Schultz for informing Minelli of Jane's past psychiatric issues. Why would he care? Kirkland's overall creepy vibe, his constant wearing of red ties and his keen interest in the RJ case are strong indicators that he is Red John. Most importantly, though, is the line he says to Lisbon about his past. Bob states that he was always on the move because of his parents. To me that suggests he was in the circus, just as Jane. Could Kirkland possibly be the son of Sean Barlow? Is that why Barlow tells Jane that RJ has "special powers" which keep him a step ahead. Maybe, but I'll say no, Kirkland is not Red John and he is meant to throw people off the scent. Or he is and he is there to make us question why the writers would make Red John appear so obvious to us. The twist in the context of no twist, so to speak.

6. Sheriff Tom McAllister. Here is a real chin-stroker. If RJ appeared before season 3 as some of the writers appear to have stated, then he would be a brilliant candidate.  He has the law enforcement background that it appears RJ has. Let us hearken back to the season one finale and RJ's friend Dumar. Dumar states that RJ was friends with his father. Was Dumar's father also a sheriff? If so, did they have a special law enforcement bond? Let me also point to the season 4 finale. After the ending shootout, a police car goes whizzing by Jane and Lisbon. If you slow it down frame by frame, you can see an officer in the car that looks very similar to McAllister in his lone season one appearance. My theory is that he was keeping tabs on the situation from his squad car and then high-tailed it out of there in the chaos of the shootout. While he doesn't appear to have any background with Jane and Jane's family, his last name is Irish. My guess is that we will find out that McAllister is related to the Barlows, has a long-time grudge against the Jane's and was a past member of the circus somehow. Don't let his seemingly simple-mindedness fool you, I am sure that the sheriff has the mental acumen, resources and network needed to be Red John, something that season 6 will reveal to us all. Red John is Sheriff Tom.

7. Brett Partridge. Partridge is a definite possibility as Red John. He shows up very early in the Pilot and has an intimate knowledge of how Red John kills his victims. There would be some interesting symmetry if the writers introduced us to Red John at almost the same time we are introduced to Jane. Partridge does irritate Jane and Jane mentions (in the pilot episode or the season 2 finale, I forget which) that there is something off about him and the enthusiasm for his job. What a perfect job to have to clean up your crime scenes and tie up any loose ends. While Brett doesn't outwardly display any of the mental traits required to be Red John, I'm sure they could be revealed in Season 6 if necessary. The same could be done to tie him to Jane's circus past, although I feel that would be a stretch and as such, I don't believe he is the best RJ suspect on the list.

The best suspect on the list and my pick as Red John: Sheriff Tom McAllister.

i re-watch again  season 3 ep 23 .... when jane told bertram about the meeting at mall he called someone after jane leave ... maybe the fake red john ... he know about jane s plan and he played jane s game because he thinks he will have hands clean :) .... red john always was with two steps in front of jane ... now think .... how fake red john knows jane was there? because only bertram knows O Laughtin didn t know ... so my guess is Bertram is the real Red John ... but he played their game ... 

I have been following along but have a few questions of things I don't quite understand about the 7 suspects on the list. As a fan of the show i was quite disappointed with the list

1. If red john and jane both knew the clues then why did reed smith and bret stiles end up on the list? Reed smith is clearly too large to be red john-who is depicted as normal/skinny and according to red barn-red john is much younger than bret stiles.  (obviously i understand most of the evidence is sketchy).  

2.  Brett partridge (and maybe haffner, bertrum) seem the only ones left who could realistically be red john (many other people have submitted evidence why it can't be kirkland, sheriff mcallister, stiles, smith).  if Brett P is red john-isn't that an insult to Jane's intelligence?  Partridge from the start is an obvious creep and way too interested in death.  At this point i think he is the most likely character but i must admit id be disappointed if he is the red john mastermind because i don't think he totally fits the psychological profile (royston daniel and bret stiles seem much closer fits as mastermind).  

back to the point-Jane can feel when red john is around-he does feel creeped out by Brett P but wouldnt Jane be able to sense or figure out Brett is Red John seasons ago.  If he didn't figure out it was brett P then many people died due to Jane's failure.  

3.  Bret Stiles has alluded to he knows who red john is-why won't he reveal or stop red john? is he afraid or a part of it?

I'd appreciate any comments or ideas. Thank you

Anyone who thinks Red John is Patrick Jane after Bruno Heller himself saying HE'S NOT is an idiot. It can't be, also it can't be anyone from the main CBI team and they can't be accomplices, otherwise any re-runs in the future would be weird and pointless. Plus the list is NOT fake. So please just get over it and get on board with the 7 suspects presented!

For me Red John has always been Brett Partridge.

He fits the profile. He really doesn't get on with Patrick Jane. He has the voice. He's the right age and for anyone who says he doesn't come across as someone who could manipulate people and be as powerful as Red John seems to be....one word for you...acting...It's called acting...and I think he has the potential.

There are so many other reasons why it's him but I know they've already been covered on this site :)