I've got to go with cop instinct on this and make Virgil Minelli my prime suspect.  To be sure, it would be a black eye for a fellow officer of the law to be a serial killer, but I've been suspicious of the guy since season 1.  I have alerted my commanding officer, Sheriff Taylor, of my theory.

He fits the physical description, he has the means, he has the opportunity.

From a casting perspective, Gregory Itzin has the gravitas and the chops to play the role.  His scenes with Simon Baker are fantastic, kudos to both, you're never quite sure who is playing who and what their ulterior motives are.  I could buy him as Red John.

I think the list of 7 suspects is a marketing and ratings ploy, and a clever one at that to reboot the series and bring it to a conclusion.  The list to me wreaks too much of a parlor game of Clue, whereas Jane and Red John are playing grandmaster chess.  Ultimately I think the list is misdirection, Patrick Jane is on to his man, finally one step ahead, and he's in the process of outwitting and drawing out Red John.

The writers did a subtle job of inserting Minelli's name in the last episode.

I am not certain, I'll be the first to apologize to Virgil Minelli and wish him a happy fishing retirement if I turn out to be wrong.  If not, he's got a reckoning coming, do what you have to do Patrick.  I'll get my one bullet ready.

Seasons 1-3 to me were outstanding.  I would've bought Bradley Whitford as the evil mastermind if it ended there, another wonderful actor.  Seasons 4-5 to me were not the quality of the first three.  Hopefully season 6 does the series justice, it deserves a quality conclusion.

Finally, to the 28 scumbags who have suspected J.J. Laroche, my lawyer will soon be serving slander and libel lawsuits you vicious bastards.  I acknowledge he's quirky and misunderstood, but J.J. Laroche is good people.  

Best regards,

Bernard P. Fife, M.D. (Mayberry Deputy)