I actually don't like coming to this website anymore because of the people who post their theories about Patrick Jane being Red John.
When I read these silly posts it's like a comedy site, a Mentalist parody!!  
STOP it people, Patrick Jane is NOT Red John!! There are hundreds of reasons why he can't be!!
You are not paying any attention to the program!! So tiring, just stop it already! 

So we already are two suspects down.
Here are my thoughts on two of them:
Reede Smith - I don't believe its him because Red John would not have gone out of his way too shoot Bob Kirkland... I think it is just way too risky
Gale Bertram - In the season 3 finale, when Patrick gave all the suspects different room numbers Bertram and Craig, were both suspects at this time, and they would have conspired had they known they were given different room numbers, therefore it can't be Bertram

The other three, im still trying to work out.

Some nice theories on here and at this point a good case can (and has) been made for each of the remaining 5 candidates. If I may add one more...

By the way, who made this web site? I'll come back to that...

Here is the case for 'Red Tom'

1. Has been there since the start - would be a sign the writers had a firm plan from the beginning. No matter how many seasons the show ran they could always wrap up the story. A nice device.

2. Ticks the 'where's waldo' comment made by Heller. How many times in an episode have little comments been made about a local Sheriff has 'informed the family' or 'forwarded information' etc

3. You'd pick a established actor for those upcoming scenes where we see the RJ drop his guard and show his real self. Xander Berkley is quality. Has the right amount of potential menace in him.

4. Leftie Pigeon hater... you know the rest.  

5. This web site... look at where the smiley is... he's right in the middle. next to him on the RIGHT, his right hand man: Reede Smith. To his left... his Father, Bret Stiles (20 yrs age difference). They wouldn't put the answer right in the middle of a site devoted to working out who RJ is would they... surely not :)

Let me know what you think - this is fun :)

Sophie Miller gave a very important clue. He sat in the waiting room comfortably, calmly, wasn't annoyed or anything like that.

That clearly matches with the Sheriff's personality. Remember when Jane came in the room where he had a meeting with Bertram and Smith. Sheriff sat there calmly, like he has everything under control without showing it on the outside.

Guys the clue that Heller was talking about from the second episide is infact two clues. One was the hand red john used two hold the knife and the second obvious clue was the pigeons.
On episode 3 the sheriff used his left hand to help jane from falling and jane noticed that if you look closely and then there is the music in the background. And look how the sheriff reacted to the pigeon ......we also learn that he is much smarter than he puts out to be, look at the way he analysed the dead guy. Sheriff Thomas McAllister has been there since the beginning and yes he is definitely RedJohn as you will find out. His accomplices were Bret pattridge, Reede Smith, Gake Betram and Ray Haffner( who happens to ask Lisbon if he was tracking the seven suspects? ......

It's Sheriff McAllister.  Here's my case:

1) Red John has a deep connection to the rural areas outside of the city.  Yes, he has been active in the city areas but it's not his normal stomping ground - look at season one finale which introduced both a friend and a lover of RJ, both of which were in a rural area.   And RJ was friends with that killer's dad, so RJ has deep roots in that area or community. 

2)  Rosaland mentions that RJ smells of "pine and earth" which seems to be answered because Jane thinks he was building a cabin or something...but, I think that's how he smells all the time because of where he lives and the life he leads.  His friends are from small towns - and so is his past...which leads us to...

3)   The barn where it all started.  Visualize is always the thing people mention when discussing RJ's first murder, but I actually think where it happened is important too. Another connection to the rural areas.  

4) The first time he met Jane they "shook hands" in a unique way that played up the idea of Jane being a false psychic...it's the perfect intro for the eventual villain...and could be used as a wrap around later when they meet for real.  

5)  Episode 2 dealt with a couple who kidnap and sexually assault young girls, just like the other couple from season 4 (I think) finale.  Also, it's possible the couple from episode 2 was being encouraged by RJ, but of course they died so...who knows...

6)  He's the suspect fewer people look at...why?  Because not much is known about him.  He doesn't really make much of an impression whenever he's on screen...which is odd since the actor who plays him is quite talented....maybe he's supposed to be bland?

7)  Most of the other RJ suspects are this season in serious nail biting episodes...but not Sheriff McAllister....he's practically in a romantic comedy...

again, we don't take him that seriously...perhaps it's by design?

In summery -- Red John has connection or works in law enforcement, plus he has a lot of friends  in the suburban and rural areas.   Sheriff McAllister. 

Hey all you fans out there!

I honestly think that Red John is more than just one person. I find him a little too random at times and also his knowledge and success rate seems to be little too far fetched...even for a genius/ psychic. So I think that Thomas McAllister, Ray Haffner, and Brett Partridge are all Red John.

Furthermore, I suspect that Thomas, Ray and Brett worked for a Visualize complex at one point during their younger years and went through a horrific experience. In the end they escaped their horrific experience, but they also developed a insane lust for blood and that might be were Mr. Stiles becomes more involved with them; by teaching them a code of conduct to operate by and eventually the name Red John and it's signature under which, they all operate separately.

Cheers, and please share your opinions on this theory!