There is no Jack the ripper

[j.r-ahde]

Hello, Trevor Marriott!

To say in bluntly;

Since the experts of the time couldn't solve the case, it's probable, that it will never be solved!

All the best
Jukka

[lynn cates]

plural

Hello JR.

"Since the experts of the time couldn't solve the case, it's probable, that it will never be solved!"

I agree. The case will never be solved; but, how lovely when the cases are.

The best.
LC

[perrymason]

In truth the thread title is very appropriate because there is hardly any substantiation in print for the Canonical Group formation, the broad and insensible disparity of profiles within the contemporary investigators as to whom they believed was responsible, what they really knew, and what they didnt....etc.

There is very little solid ground upon which the final prize stands, and it is surrounded by a quicksand moat.

Thats why I prefer to travel along with less opinionated baggage.

Instead of asking was there a Jack the Ripper of 5 women in Whitechapel, we should be asking why would the "evidence" available point to such a conclusion for investigators? Seems clear the killer was either someone like a toff killing recreationally, or a poor mentally ill one raging....but it hardly seems equally probable that either one was correct......I mean c'mon, which type is he?

When it seems they didnt know "Jack" about Jack, then I suppose neither can we.

My best regards

[Tom_Wescott]

For the record, Trevor, I am an author.

I don't know, according to Chris Miles your book doesn't exist.

There are many people...who are quick to slag off authors etc but never seem to be able to put forward anyhting of an consequence other than wild speculative theories thats of course if you can engage your brain long enough to be able to put forward anything sensible

This is too true. There's a lot of nonsensical 'theory' books out there and they keep coming. As a result, some very valuable books get overlooked. A book is only as good as it's author, and I think it's detrimental to the field if we think of Ripper books as 'Theory' or 'Suspect' books vs reference works. To my mind, a book is either good or it's not, reliable or not.

Having said that, I personally believe that any author attempting a suspect book these days has more responsibility towards his reader than did writers of the past. The write up on the murders and investigation should be unbiased and contain original thought, material, and hypothesis. This way, the book carries value beyond the argument for the guilt of the suspect. As for the suspect, if the author doesn't believe his suspect a more likely one than all others, he should write an essay, not a book. I cannot bring myself to believe the MJ Trow actually thinks Robert Mann the most likely Ripper suspect, so to my mind, he's being less than honest with himself and his readership. But should he be considered alongside a Stewart Evans or Paul Begg? I think not. People like Trow truly damage the industry. But I digress...

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Garry Wroe]

I don't know, according to Chris Miles your book doesn't exist.

Chris who?

[Ben]

Hi Garry,

Chris who?

Tom was referring to this fella:

http://www.casebook.org/ripper_media/book_reviews/non-fiction/onthetrail.html

...unless your question was a rhetorical one.

All the best,
Ben

[Garry Wroe]

It was, Ben.

Good to see you again, anyway.

All the best.

Garry Wroe.

[Ben]

Likewise, Garry!

Here's to a peaceful new year 'round these parts. Early indications are promising.

All the best,
Ben

[Sam Flynn]

I notice all those big words have you swallowed one of Sams copies of The Lancet ?

Maybe not, Trevor - I stopped subscribing when I was 18.

[Tom_Wescott]

Ben,

Hey, I've been wondering where you went! Glad to see you!

Garry,

Sorry about that, but just the other day I was flipping through Chris' book, almost laughing out loud, and thought about you and Bob. I think you guys would have moved more copies if you'd included pictures of yourself peering pensively across bar tops, waiting for a mysterious caller. Or maybe if you'd limited your research period to 7 months of sleepless nights and too many cigarettes. Man, you gotta love Miles.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Garry Wroe]

No apology required, Tom. Brian Marriner never mentioned me, so why should anyone else?

All the best.

Garry Wroe.

[Ben]

Good to see you too, Tom.

I was placed in the naughty corner for a couple of weeks (for good reason, I should add), but I've been allowed back to engage in further scurrility with Scandinavians.

Kidding.

All the best,
Ben

[Phil Carter]

Ben,

I will put you in contact with some ;-)

best wishes

Phil

[harry]

That the case may never be solved,does not mean the killer will never be named.Indeed there will never be evidence of a truly incriminating nature against anyone,but it is pleasing to read the huge volume of information that has been gathered by the many researchers,and others who post on the subject.Such information may seem,in some circumstances,to favour a few suspects out of the many,but in the end it is only information,and who is to say,which ,out of the mass,is the most reliable.

[perrymason]

That the case may never be solved,does not mean the killer will never be named.Indeed there will never be evidence of a truly incriminating nature against anyone,but it is pleasing to read the huge volume of information that has been gathered by the many researchers,and others who post on the subject.Such information may seem,in some circumstances,to favour a few suspects out of the many,but in the end it is only information,and who is to say,which ,out of the mass,is the most reliable.

Hi Harry,

With due respect to the people who had discovered new evidence that relates specifically to a named Suspect or helps dispel erroneous theory, much of what exists is still as mind-numbingly without foundation as it ever was.

To know now that Ostrog was in jail in France is great, to also know that he is the second man on a short list of very probable suspects by a Senior Investigator is where the problem still remains.

Nothing to validate or discount any core belief within Ripperology has come forward. The most recent books still call him a sexual serial killer of the 5 Canonicals...some add some victims, some decrease his head count, but nothing in terms of validation for the beliefs themselves has been forthcoming.

My opinion is that the study is actually an industry that has no intentions of evaluating or re-inventing the square wheels we all have to use. In the same way that Crude Oil companies have little real interest in exploring the benefits of electric cars.

Best regards Harry