I just wanted to get this off my chest. If that sherrif guy ends up being Red John I'm going to flip a table. (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

I think it is Ray because of red barn.
Lisbon would be 15 around then so she's way to young. just like Brett i think he and Robert Kirkland are the helpers from RJ at the FBI 
And Jane is no  friends whit Ray, Robert or Brett but verry close whit Lisbon so i dont think its her or Jane 

What about Reed Smith?
Blacksmith is a man who works with iron.
Tagliaferro (Cut Iron)
Red (iron) John...

What about Gale (Wind) Reed (plant) Partridge (bird) Stiles (amount) Raymond (Ray)...

Tyger! Tyger! burning brightIn the forests of the night,What immortal hand or eyeCould frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skiesBurnt the fire of thine eyes?On what wings dare he aspire?What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.Could twist the sinews of thy heart?And when thy heart began to beat,What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?In what furnace was thy brain?What the anvil? what dread graspDare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,And watered heaven with their tears,Did he smile his work to see?Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning brightIn the forests of the night,What immortal hand or eyeDare frame thy fearful symmetry?
1794

I think RJ is Adrian Monk. He's been killing people on the Mentalist to get even for them ripping off his TV show.

Hey haven't had time to read through all comments here so apologies if my theory mirrors anyone else's - I think after the season 5 finale that the 7 names is defo a red herring and that red John has come up with list after reviewing Janes fake info that he left for Bob K to find in the CBI loft. (As Loreli was already dead he prob edited video and had her say a lot more names - video editing not big deal for a murderous genius) I think that red John is Alex Jane who will actually turn out to not be Patricks real dad and his motive will be all to do with anger regarding his wife cheating and Jane being better mentalist that him etc etc! We may even find out Janes wife cheated on him too n red John feels he's done him a favour - cannot wait to find out!

In my opinion Red John is not one person alone rather a group of people ie.something like a terrorist organisation.The level of ingenuity,the planning behind every homicide is so precise and perfect.This is not something that can be accomplished by one person alone.
Although many people throughout the show they have been referred to as "Red John's Friends".They are just people who have this collective motive of killing people and bringing about terror!

Dexter Morgan is R.J. Patrik will get Dexter and both shows will end simultaneously........

I know, I know.... far from the truth, but wouldn't it be nice ?

Z.