To get him on the Today show. That was really my overall goal here. I suppose they wouldn't want to the actual murderer on the show. Unless Ross can claim he didn't do it and that he was framed.
Okay, so I'll put Ross's finger prints on the handle of the knife, but I'll put Tom's in the screw and springs for the assembly. That way it'll look like Tom planted Ross's finger prints and Ross'll talk to Matt Lauer about his crazy friend who used a hobofight to frame him. And then Ross can hold up his book while wearing an RPPR t-shirt.
Should Patrick's finger prints be inside instead? Patrick could probably beat the murder charge in court by corrupting the jury with his Hannibal-like charms. But Tom would do better in prison if legal matters failed.
This is more complex than I thought.