I think I found out what was so important in the season premiere. Let's base in the fact that there's no punctual reason why red john would want to reveal himself to Jane.

Given this, there's a contradiction between RJ saying Tyger tyger to Jane in S2 finale, considering it like a clue to RJ's identity. Why would he gave up a clue about himself? This is confirmed by Pattridge spelling the same words to Lisbon when he's dying. Why would he reveal those words if they were a clue to RJ?

If Pattridge was a RJ follower he'd have died willingly, because we know he demands sacrifice, and no point in saying a word. If he was treasoned by RJ, he would have speaked the plain name. If he wasn't a follower then why would he say Tyger tyger? And even more, why to Lisbon, who is a direct phone to Jane?

Would RJ want that? Maybe. But this is what I think. Tyger Tyger is a code (as we already know) for a certain mafia within california law enforcement. A very extended net of "cooperation" between the cops. It's a secret organisation, ofc. And a lot of cops take part on it, this is why Pattridge thought Lisbon was part of it and said the password to her.

Bertam, Smith and Mccalister are part of that organisation, therefore their concern about how much "does Jane know", and given that Kirkland started to unwrap the secret, he had to be eliminated. None of this three is red John. considering the three of them are in the "tyger tyger" net, the treat between them in the office was very horizontal.

Had one of them been Red John, the other two would have looked up to him to see what was next. But this behaviour didn't take place in that scene.

So, out of 5 remaining (accepting is one of the original 7 listed), thee have been taken down. Leaving us with Haffner and Styles. I think between those two it's a pretty arbitrary yet obvious choice.

However, let me also point this out. In S2, Red John was giving Jane a clue about this secret organisation, maybe if that mafia fell he would have been the next in the list to run the CBI?

I don't know, I think this theory could be pull even further with more ellaboration, so give it some thought

I have to say that for right now all my chips are in with Ray Haffner, for several reasons.

1. He is played just creepy enough, but not outwardly repulsive like Kirkland is (was?) by the wonderfully eerie Reed Diamond. He couldn't have as many followers as he does without some level of charm.
2. RJ has to have some kind of "in" at the CBI. After all he was able to get to Rebecca both to recruit her and to kill her/have her killed. Also, it may explain how RJ knew about the bugs placed on the phones which he used to lure Lisbon to Partridge's demise.
3. We know RJ has some tie to Vizualize, the scientology-like cult, headed by Bret Stiles. It's too obvious to have Bret be the bad guy, besides he doesn't fit any of the descriptions of RJ himself. We know that Haffner is a current member, and we also know that Bret knew where Kristina Frye was being kept. Either Bret knew because he was doing it, or he knows because members of visualize tape their confessions and Stiles has access to this information. [Also, unexplained is how Van Pelt is tied to Visualize . . . she had a rather intense encounter with Stiles so I wonder what happened to that storyline].
4. Haffner has a rather intense affection for Lisbon which may explain why he didn't kill her.
5. He fits what we know about RJ "just under six feet tall, with short, straight hair, not muscular but not soft, with strong hands" - Rosalind Harker. Reed Diamond is a little over 6 feet but I don't think that's particularly problematic. And what poor Sophie tells us "he seems to have a case of acrophobia, and/or other phobias, is middle
aged, in good health, has no family, but many friends, is a great
speaker, has good posture, is an excellent whistler, possesses hints of
narcissism, and seems to be harboring something dark within himself"

The voice: I don't find the voice particularly problematic  . . . I don't understand why someone couldn't disguise their voice or, in RJ's case have one of his minions do the dirty work. We can't really say at any rate that any of the RJ sightings -- Harker, when RJ "rescues" Jane, or when RJ ostensibly visits Sophie, are actually him and not a disciple. So who's to say he's not just a mastermind with others to be his public face?

So Kirkland is now oficially dead . Since Partridge is also dead and the list now consists of 5 people , i can't imagine someone from the early seasons whom to be Red John . I guess it's Haffner , since he appears in the early episode of season 4 and it's kinda like much closer to the previous seasons . Notice that Hightower told Jane that he has been under surveillance for 9 years , and Haffner is an expert in creative surveillance techniques. This can be something ..
I'm also thinking on McAllister , but he just appears in 1 episode from all the 5 seasons , so i kinda also doubt about it ))) 

ray haffner is the red john suspect because he killed angela ruskin and charlotte anderson and ray hafner is red john with a red smiley face and patrick jane is getting closer to arrest ray haffner 
 as red john i watch the mentalist from time to time and we are getting closer and closer
to nailing red john and ray haffner has killed man people patrick jane met and bob kirkland is the killer and he 's the one that killed patrick jane's wife and daughter and he's left the bloody smiley face as a trademark it's time to wipe that smile off of ray haffner's face aka red john and i think ray haffner is the killer and manipultaed loralee martins and he's red john and patrick jane is getting closer to getting the CBI TO nail red john ray haffner as the murder supsect it's time to nail ray haffner he's hiding behind red john and it's time for red john to surrender and be revealed as red john it's ray haffner let's arrest him and lock him up in jail permantly to bring closure it got new elements it's probally ray haffner.

Redjohn can't be all places at once. He hears about Patrick make fun of him on TV from "friends."

Ray Haffner is guy who saves his Patrick in Red Sky in the Morning (season 2 finale). 

http://i.imgflip.com/4a7e2.gif (Reede Diamond has been told to walk like this after Bruno Heller told him more about his character)

http://i.imgflip.com/4a7bq.gif


Is that Redjohn's body or voice? In season 4, Redjohn convince us he was right there in the limo, when in it was a phone attached to Luther Wainwright. Who is reading this? Its your choice, is the masked man's actions completely matching to the voice??? Watch it! :D

Ray Haffner isn't good at hiding things from Lisbon/outsmarted by Jane/ actually seems like an alright dude/ which makes me think he isn't RJ, but a friend. RJ doesn't usually use a gun. I think Ray Haffner is RJ's favourite. They met on Eliston farm way back, methinks. I'm also convinced he carves up Partridge and visits Lisbon, on orders. 

So I say that RJ's voice is not Ray Haffner's. But when Lisbon's face is painted by Haffner, who likes Lisbon (the face is done wrong), RJ is talking to Jane. There's only 3 people in the building. So...  Partridge is Redjohn? Ok I went wrong, but 1 extra thing, Haffner is an expert in surveillance, as Lisbon says, so he could have known he was being watched + still got over there. 

Any comments to show where I wrong or alternate theories are well appreciated.

Assuming that Red John is even part of the original seven, then Ray Haffner.

Red John is all about power. Pretty unilaterally.

Gale Bertram is out. Ingrained character flaws/age/existing position of power/ineptitude/general lack of suave. - not it, can't be, would be a stretch, and a disappointment.

Thomas McAllister is a sheriff in wine country. I  see no indication, given any of his forays on screen, that he would be red john. He is not weak/he has a position as a defender/he has no need want for further power/he has a sense of order, justice/he never seems manipulative or controlling (dominant traits, difficult to hide characteristics)/old. -nope

Bret Stiles is laughable. He is the lead of a cult/religion/political dynamo. Excess of power. Manipulative but not in the same way as red john. Red john is fairly petty. Stiles is not. People believe in him. He is a predator for sure, no question. He actually has great chemistry with Jane. He has true conviction, believes in himself, confident. He is old, really old. I doubt his ability to carry out these types of murders unassisted. Stiles is proud but not proud enough to refuse help. Red John would never get help, he would manipulate people to serve him. Stiles seeks help/aid/guidance on various occasions. -Least likely to be Red John. (But Red John is definitely a member of Visualize)

Reede Smith well he is Reede Smith. Emotional and Power assertive. He controls his environment. He belittles and bullies people who become obstacles. He lacks sideways/logical/coherent/decisive thinking. He doesn't have the stature/influence/position/drive/will/personality/speech patterns to be red john. -not it, at most a pawn.

(Spoiler if you haven't started season 6)


Brett Partridge. Have to admit, I liked him for RJ because of his voice. He is at most a pawn. Pawns just love to kill themselves to further the plot. He is a CSI agent, in the best position to inform RJ about copycats. He doesn't really look or seem like he needs power. Working with the dead may depict a fixation with death, subsequently power control. He would be in a position of weakness, striving for power. (Most likely position for RJ). All this assuming he is even alive (probably not). I believe Partridge was connected to Visualize, providing ample opportunity for his mind to be twisted by a stronger willed individual. -most likely dead, though liked his voice

Bob Kirkland a shadowy intergovernmental agent. Yeah not seeing it. Little screen time. Motive? He doesn't seem at a lack for power. He certainly enforces his power and influence. These jobs (government jobs) are crazy time consuming. Who would have the chance to kill someone between shifts looking for other murderers? I don't see it at all. To many big dots would have to put on the board to consider this one. - likely not it, at most a pawn, at least for now.....

Ray Haffner. Gotta love this guy for RJ. I mean come on he has everything going for him. Age/stature/demeanor/personality/vibe/eyes/speech patterns/position of power/fixation/suave nature/untouchable air/history with Visualize/relationship with lisbon/knowledge of CBI/controlled the case/knowledge of intergovernmental relations/involvement with task-forces. He is in the worst (most unrestricted and far reaching) type of power. Unregulated/sideways/direct/protected by technicality/smoke and mirrors/connected. Oozes misuse and abuse. He is the ONLY one I believe could charm not One but Multiple women to do his bidding. He comes off as that kind of guy. Hell most of the people he kills have been women. These women are almost certainly a proxy for something (Lisbon?)(He hasn't been able to touch her)(He is obviously interested). Tired of listing, it goes on for another paragraph. If anything, he has a stacked deck against him, too perfect. - of the seven, he is the one, no doubt. (can someone say fall guy?)

OR

None of them are Red John. Personally, I don't think any of them are truly capable. I am anticipating a much more lucrative plot twist. Have fun everyone. Muse away.

i will just post those two pictures :

RJ at S02E023 :

http://i.imgflip.com/4a7bq.gif

Ray Haffner S06E02 :

http://i.imgflip.com/4a7e2.gif

:)