Crucial Information regarding a Ripperologist

[JTRSickert]

Hello everyone. I came across this story in the news just now, and I thought that the rest of you had a right to see this. It concerns one of the Rippercast panelists that we have heard before, specifically on the two shows dealing with Druitt. On those shows was ANdrew Spallek, the expert on Druitt. As he stated in both of those shows, he was also a practicing Lutheran Minister. Well, I just came across this article online and I figured you might want to read it. Let me emphasize this though: I do NOT claim that the person in this article is the same Andrew Spallek we heard on the Ripper shows; so, I am not looking to tarnish someone's reputation or anything. If this is a different person, then I apologize in advance. But, the fact that the person shares the same name and is a Lutheran minister is a pretty big coincidence. You have to read it yourself though.

http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2010/02/former-lutheran-pastor-admits-to-child-porn.html

[c.d.]

I see that 14 people have viewed this and none of them has posted a response. Can't say that I blame them. I have no idea what to say. Can anyone confirm that this is Andy?

c.d.

[Ally]

Supposedly, based on photos and location, it appears that this is him. Andy stopped posting here the same day the newspaper says this A spallek resigned from his church, the day before the indictment came down. I am with you on being at a total loss for words, for once.

[JTRSickert]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news guys.

I enjoyed all of the Rippercast episodes, but I now I don't think I can listen to those anymore.

[Zodiac]

I see that 14 people have viewed this and none of them has posted a response. Can't say that I blame them. I have no idea what to say. Can anyone confirm that this is Andy?

c.d.

Hi c.d,

I'm not 100% certain, but the Pastor Andrew Spallek resigned his position on 23/09/2009 and was indicted the following day. The member of these boards with the username aspallek last posted here on the 23/09/2009. and has been silent ever since. Could be coincidence??? Also the photo on his profile page does look like the one of the Andrew Spallek in the newspapers, but its just too small of a photo to be positive. Not looking too good though!

http://new.exchristian.net/2010/02/lutheran-pastor-admits-child-porn.html

Best wishes,

Zodiac.

[Zodiac]

Supposedly, based on photos and location, it appears that this is him. Andy stopped posting here the same day the newspaper says this A spallek resigned from his church, the day before the indictment came down. I am with you on being at a total loss for words, for once.

Sorry about the duplication of the info Ally, our posts must have crossed.

Best wishes,

Zodiac.

[JTRSickert]

Well, these articles are from the St. Louis area and, when I read that, I listened to my Ipod (specifically, the Druitt in Winchester podcast) and Andy did say he was from St. Louis. So, I mean, unless this guy is the victim of the worst coincidence in recent times, I think that pretty much solidifies it.

[tnb]

I am guessing if this is the man we are thinking of then site admin will know about it pretty soon, as his entire internet history will have been/ will be being dragged with a fine tooth comb, and this site will show up pretty big on that list. I just hope that the finger of suspicion does not come to point at anyone who may have corresponded with him for the best of research reasons, if so (as I did, as it happens, although I never received a reply - which the dates here might go some way to explaining). It would certainly be another unwelcome association for the whole field so soon after the Steven Griffith furore here in the UK.

However, as difficult as it is, I will try to assume that the 'aspallek' of Casebook is not guilty of being the very same person, until someone (perhaps who has met him) can confirm otherwise definitively. Innocent until proven guilty and all that. As for how any of us would feel about not only the podcasts on which he featured but his essays, photos and even his many posts remaining on here or otherwise, were it true, it is almost impossible to say.

One thing I think we can all say without any fear of jumping the gun is that the Andrew Spallek in the article above is a low, foul creature and that to my mind at least he would not be welcome on any internet platform in which I am myself involved.

It may just go to show that you never can tell. Scary stuff.

[JTRSickert]

tnb,

You bring up a good point. If our aspallek and the one in the article are both one and the same (as I currently think), would he be welcome back here?

[tnb]

tnb,

You bring up a good point. If our aspallek and the one in the article are both one and the same (as I currently think), would he be welcome back here?

Not by me. I will say (and I am still saying if) that that does not take away from the excellence of his research, which I myself have admired, but neither does the research excuse the crime. It just makes it more of a shame, if you know what I mean.

I do not wish to bring anyone into this who does not wish to be involved, as this is clearly a touchy subject, but I am sure there must be some on here who know Andrew Spallek the researcher pretty well, and could potentially make this a little clearer. Here's hoping someone can do so soon, as I think the site and all of us need it making clear, one way or the other.

[cappuccina]

I hope to Christ he would NOT. I for one, would leave, and ask that my account be permanently deleted if he were.

I HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENT, DISTURBED, PREDATORY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. This scumbag should be given no quarter and needs to be in prison where he belongs. These scumbags are not "fixable", and CANNOT BE REHABILITATED, EVER.

This incident should also serve to remind all of us, even those who think they "know and have seen it all", that they, in fact, haven't and that the Internet, while a wonderful tool in some respects, is always to be used with great caution vis a vis one's personal and family information.

[JTRSickert]

Amen, cappuccina.

I wonder what Jonathan is going to say when he sees this, or if he's heard about it already.

[Zodiac]

I hope to Christ he would NOT. I for one, would leave, and ask that my account be permanently deleted if he were.

I HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENT PREDATORY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

Hi Capps,

My feelings exactly!!!

Looks like he won't be around for while anyway, he was sentenced to serve 3 years back in May.

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/may/11/five-men-sentenced-child-porn-missouri/

Best wishes,

Zodiac.

[Ally]

JTRsickert,

I realize that for you the podcasts are the ultimate, but you need to understand that this is not limited to podcasts or even primarily about podcasts. Andy Spallek has published articles in almost every Ripper magazine and has been a member of the board and community for a long time. So there is no particular onus on Jonathon regarding this situation.


As for knowing what's among us and our community, I do agree. We are entirely too convinced of the safety of the internet and the people we meet on it. Just because you've chatted with someone in the chat room or on the boards for three whole months and met them for lunch doesn't mean you know jack crap about them really.

[cappuccina]

The problem, is not only is the sentence too short, but his "lifetime" supervision doesn't mean ****. After a couple of years of that, LE really doesn't care a whole helluva lot, unfortunately. Where I am, we have these ****ers living close to schools, public parks, swimming pools, etc. (...all kinds of places where children go, and in "family"-type neighborhoods) who are RSO's on "lifetime supervision", and LE generally does NOTHING about this...