Conspiracy to suppress the identity of JTR?

[Harry D]

Not beyond almost all recognition of her "partner" Harry. Barnett could only identify Mary's 'air and eyes.

Of course, but it sets a precedent for facial mutilations in this series, which was escalated in Miller's Court.

[Michael W Richards]

This might have carried more weight if Eddowes' face hadn't been mutilated too.

Not beyond almost all recognition of her "partner" Harry. Barnett could only identify Mary's 'air and eyes.

[Harry D]

Just a thought: Does making MJK hard to identify mean that JTR was connected somehow to her and making her almost unrecognizable was an effort to protect his own identity?

Martyn

This might have carried more weight if Eddowes' face hadn't been mutilated too.

[Michael W Richards]

As for Mary working the streets, Barnett said he didn't like it when she did...its said Mary was fearful of the killer(s) on the street that Fall, and Barnett gave her money daily even after moving out, presumably so she wouldn't have to solicit. Only George Hutchinsons statement can be used for an argument that she was soliciting on that night at least, and he is discredited soon thereafter, so...essentially no-one that knew Mary well stated she was actively working the streets around that time.

[Michael W Richards]

Just a thought: Does making MJK hard to identify mean that JTR was connected somehow to her and making her almost unrecognizable was an effort to protect his own identity?

Martyn

To protect the killer, or to conceal the victims true identity...I think so. Her killer may have used the available ruse...make it look like the mad butcher...and he slips back quietly into the woodwork and smiles when he reads "Ripper" headlines about Mary.

[mpriestnall]

I think that there were a couple of men that Fall that were glad to have this mad killer at large to take the blame. The men at the International Club for one. One wonders whether the effort to make Mary Jane Kelly almost unrecognizable to even her recent live in might be something to consider here.

Just a thought: Does making MJK hard to identify mean that JTR was connected somehow to her and making her almost unrecognizable was an effort to protect his own identity?

Martyn

[Michael W Richards]

I think that there were a couple of men that Fall that were glad to have this mad killer at large to take the blame. The men at the International Club for one. One wonders whether the effort to make Mary Jane Kelly almost unrecognizable to even her recent live in might be something to consider here.

[mpriestnall]

... and what does that make the witnesses who said that she was?

Sam, good question.

I'm hoping Simon might be willing to share his thoughts on MJK, her murder in general terms, not specifically whether MJK was a prostitute or not.

E.g. was her identity a "legend"? Was her murder seperate from the other murders? Was MJK's murder connected the "Irish Question"?

I've Simon's book several times and I am still none the wiser as to what Simon really thinks about the WMs. I'm not having a dig at Simon btw, I am genuinely interested in his views.

Martyn

[MrBarnett]

Hi c.d.,

Provide incontrovertible evidence that the Millers Court victim was a prostitute, and I'll treat you to a bottle of your favourite tipple.

The police didn't want to discourage the public from spreading rumors about Jack.

In fact, the more the merrier. Which is why, seven years later, the mystery trundled on.

Regards,

Simon

Would MJK turning up at the door of a brothel in the Ratcliff Highway with a strange man and paying 2s for the use of a room for the night meet your criteria?

I have a feeling it may not.

[Sam Flynn]

If MJK wasn't a prostitute, what was she?

... and what does that make the witnesses who said that she was?

[mpriestnall]

Simon,

If MJK wasn't a prostitute, what was she?

Martyn

[FISHY1118]

P

rovide incontrovertible evidence that the Millers Court victim was a prostitute, and I'll treat you to a bottle of your favourite tipple.

More to the point Simon ,are you saying ''YOU'' cant find one piece of incontrovertible evidence that the Millers Court victim was a prostitute? We are talking about Mary Kelly are we not ? and what pray tell would you consider such evidence to be ?. Is the tipple open for me ?

[FISHY1118]

Hi Jon,

Yes, I did.

Perhaps because the police wanted it to be a Ripper murder.

Newspapers carried much of what the police required them to print.

Regards,

Simon

Or maybe it was a ripper murder

[Simon Wood]

Hi c.d.,

Provide incontrovertible evidence that the Millers Court victim was a prostitute, and I'll treat you to a bottle of your favourite tipple.

The police didn't want to discourage the public from spreading rumors about Jack.

In fact, the more the merrier. Which is why, seven years later, the mystery trundled on.

Regards,

Simon

[mpriestnall]

Oh God! Don't bring that into it please

Nobody mention the B word!