Jack or the Zodiac?

[KatBradshaw]

I also have been interested in the Zodiac Killer since I watched the film. I have to say it is really interesting but Jack will always be my killer of choice.

[FutureM.D.]

First and foremost let us remember that we're talking about two entirely differant types of killers. JTR was a disorganized sexual sadist, whereas Zodiac was a highly organized Sociopathic Meglomaniac. Secondly, whereas we know that atleast a majority of Zodiac's correspondance was genuine, almost all scholars consider the ripper letters (with the possible exception of the Lusk letter) to be hoaxes, so trying to assert anything about the mind of Jack the Ripper by the letters is nearly worthless. As far as who is more sick, although both are indiscriminate killers, the method in which the act is done is the most telling part. As cheesy as it sounds take Hannibal Lecter quoting Marcus Aurelius: " Of everything ask what is it in and of itself? What is it's casual nature" Essentially, what need is satisfied by killing? For Zodiac it was the need of power to control another life, ergo it is the death itself and not the method that is important. The complete opposite is true of the Ripper, death is INCIDENTAL, the mutilation, the desexing of the victim to render them supplicant and unthreatening is the goal and the fufillment. So by and by I think the Ripper was infinately more dangerous

[Mascara & Paranoia]

Doesn't this prove the Zodiac had a sicker and more dangerous mind?

Not quite. That proves the Zodiac set out to be a serial killer, the person responsible for the Jack the Ripper killings never. So I'd say Jack the Ripper was the sickest. The dangerous mind thing is open to debate.

[sdreid]

I vote for Cleveland Torso. Not on the ballot.

[bluecedar]

Lately I've taken a great interest in the Zodiac Killer case, which is America's version of Jack the Ripper--both involve taunting letters, a sinister modus operandi, and are still unsolved. Which in your opinion is the more frightening of the two killers? I vote for the Zodiac. Even though Jack was more savage, the Zodiac in some ways was colder, darker, more brilliant. He killed men as well as women. Like JTR his killings inexplicably stopped after five, though he continued for years to write those frightening letters. Doesn't this prove the Zodiac had a sicker and more dangerous mind?