Suspect Witnesses?

[New Waterloo]

Perusing the 1894 ordnance map of Berner Street a couple of observations.

When Schwartz turned into Berner Street and saw 'some distance in front of him' BS man, it could be that BS man had walked from Back Church Lane onto Berner Street through Sander Street.

Also on the map it does appear that climbing over a couple of roof tops from Dutfield yard would allow an exit for the murderer onto Back Church Lane.

Just observations

NW

[Wickerman]

. . .

Also on the map it does appear that climbing over a couple of roof tops from Dutfield yard would allow an exit for the murderer onto Back Church Lane.

It does seem a bit extreme though, don't you think?

I know something was mentioned recently about a figure on the rooftops, but I'm pretty sure that was a story concerning the Mitre Sq. murder, not Berner St. It wasn't related to the murder either, it was related to the Post Office robbery that happened that same weekend. The Post Office was (I think?) on the corner of Aldgate and Houndsditch, and someone saw a figure moving across the rooftops one night over that weekend.

[Wickerman]

. . . no, I don't think Parcelman killed Stride. . . But I do think that Packer served Parcelman and Stride with grapes, as he said.

We can't ignore the official police suspect was Parcelman. The police had to know considerably more about this murder than we do, given the door-to-door enquiries they made. His description was the first issued on the Monday morning following the murder.
So, having Parcelman as the prime suspect is quite consistent with police thinking.

[Trevor Marriott]

It does seem a bit extreme though, don't you think?

I know something was mentioned recently about a figure on the rooftops, but I'm pretty sure that was a story concerning the Mitre Sq. murder, not Berner St. It wasn't related to the murder either, it was related to the Post Office robbery that happened that same weekend. The Post Office was (I think?) on the corner of Aldgate and Houndsditch, and someone saw a figure moving across the rooftops one night over that weekend.

I think this is what you are referring to

"On the Isle of Man, another interesting story emerged from a middle-aged woman. This was interesting because I had never heard this mentioned before. She told the story that her great, great- grandmother was walking home with several other women the night of the Stride murder in Berner Street, and they heard all the commotion following the discovery of the body. They looked up and saw a male shinning across the rooftops. This is an interesting story because it is believed that the killer was disturbed carrying out this murder and therefore could have made his quick and hasty getaway down to the bottom of Dutfield’s Yard and up and across the rooftops"

www.trevormarriott.co.uk

[Trevor Marriott]

We can't ignore the official police suspect was Parcelman. The police had to know considerably more about this murder than we do, given the door-to-door enquiries they made. His description was the first issued on the Monday morning following the murder.
So, having Parcelman as the prime suspect is quite consistent with police thinking.

The only problem being with your theory is that carrying a parcel and trying to subdue Stride and to then be able to cut her throat would be somewhat challenging I would suggest.

https://www.trevormarriott.co.uk

[New Waterloo]

Thanks for that info Trevor. I take the point about carrying the parcel would make it more difficult whilst subduing Stride and no parcel is reported as being found in or around the yard which would indicate he threw it before tackling Stride.

This leads to the question as to why Parcel man was carrying it in the first place. The size (18 inches long) rules out grapes in my mind. Its something else. Bearing in mind that there isn't anywhere else nearby to take or receive any parcel it seems likely that its to do with the club.

So when he is seen by PC Smith this is either before he delivers the parcel to the club or he has just collected it.

Lot of assumptions from me there, just thoughts.

Of course a short coat rather than a down to the heels overcoat is a lot more sensible for a quick getaway, across rooftops included!

NW

[Wickerman]

The only problem being with your theory is that carrying a parcel and trying to subdue Stride and to then be able to cut her throat would be somewhat challenging I would suggest.

We don't need to delve into the various physical interactions, certainly it would be etiquette for the man to carry the parcel initially, but momentarily handing the parcel to her, to occupy her mind, "Just hold these my dear, while I button my coat . . .", as he begins the attack is well within reason.

If the finding of the grape stalk is true, it seems they finished the grapes, he crunched up the newspaper and stuffed it into his pocket. Maybe he wiped the knife in the paper, or wrapped it around the knife, either way he took the newspaper away with him.

[Wickerman]

. . .
This leads to the question as to why Parcel man was carrying it in the first place. The size (18 inches long) rules out grapes in my mind. Its something else. Bearing in mind that there isn't anywhere else nearby to take or receive any parcel it seems likely that its to do with the club.

The size of the parcel is immaterial, it was not measured.
Smith was attempting to recall the package from memory, it was a pure guess.
Besides, the package may have been opened if they were eating something from it, that would make the parcel appear larger.