Since the beginning I always believed that BP was RJ, and I'm sure you're all familiar with all of the clues that lead to him.

What we all need to realize, is that The Mentalist is NEVER obvious. When I found that BP was on PJ's list, I started doubting myself. Why would Bruno Heller PLACE the answer in our hands? Why would he take away every element of surprise? Though, when BP was 'killed', my faith in my theory was restored. How else would you surprise the audience? Make the 'dead' guy the killer all along. We won't see him for the rest of the series, and at the last episode we will find that he's RJ.

Let's say I'm wrong. If I do happen to be wrong, (which doesn't happen often), I can assure you that it will NOT be one of the other 6 on the list. There would be no element of surprise, no shock, nothing. If it's not Brett Partidge, it will have to be one of the main characters. That is Lisbon. Rigsby, Van Pelt, or Cho. I think it would be really shocking and thrilling if it was one of the main characters, and it would make for good television. If anyone is Red John out of all of the prinicipal characters, I think it would be Cho.