Tabram's soldier

[robhouse]

The wound that has been described by some as being in the abdomen was actually described as being in the "lower portion of the body." In my opinion, the inquest testimony (and Swanson's account) suggests fairly clearly that this wound (a three inch cut) was in the genital area. This suggests a fairly strong link to the subsequent murders. The real main difference between this and the next murder was the method of killing itself, which was apparently strangulation followed by a deep stab to the chest, and then all the other stab wounds. The killer presumably learned that this was an inefficient method, and thus changed his MO to throat cutting in the subsequent murders. The cut in the genitals, and the posing of the body was quite likely done post-mortem.

[The Good Michael]

The killer presumably learned that this was an inefficient method, and thus changed his MO to throat cutting in the subsequent murders.

... not only changed that, but changed everything else as well and then went after parts. The change is absolutely major and hard to fathom for me.

Cheers,

Mike

[caz]

Hi All,

I think there's a good case to be made for the differences being down to what triggered the murder in Martha's case. Whether this was a one-off for her killer, or one of several by the same man, it was considered highly unusual and horrific in character, even for the area, by police, press and public alike. That has to count for something.

Martha's killer may or may not have set out that night expecting or seeking the opportunity to attack a defenceless unfortunate. But something evidently gave this man 'permission' to do just that. So was he looking - consciously or otherwise - for an excuse to react with extreme violence?

We can suppose that the man who murdered Polly and Annie soon afterwards was gearing himself up by the August to act out some seriously warped and violent fantasies involving the female body. But was he quite ready to murder and mutilate one for its own sake on the night Martha met her killer? If she was attacked on a sudden impulse, for saying or doing something he didn't like, her murder may well have opened the floodgates for the later ripper crimes, regardless of whether or not Jack did this one too. Either way, I'm not sure why we should expect to have seen signs of his work on this occasion. If the later victims were selected for treatment simply for being there, he needed no further excuses by way of their individual behaviour. If necessary he could blame them all on the Tabram murder, whether he was there or not.

Love,

Caz
X

[Abby Normal]

Hi, i believe the lack of defensive wounds on Martha, notably the forearms, and the possibility strangulation is a factor. Also, there is reason to suggest different weapons were used in the assault. Considering this, the word premeditation springs to mind. What kind of altercation leads to strangulation, when the attacker has not one, but two knives.

Great, great point Scorpio. I believe that it shows premeditation too and also an experimenting with what type of knife to use, how many to bring, etc.
i beleive at its most base JtR was a serial killer and his motive was he liked it. As have been pointed out that most serial killers have the fantasy first, sex/pain/murder are all twisted in their psyche and they "graduate" or escalate their crimes as they get more practice and act on their fantasies.
And Tabram does seem to fit this pattern.

The soldier may have or may have not been her murderer but her muderer was more than likely JtR IMHO.

Also other factors which point to JtR was time of murder(holiday), strangulation first knife wounds after, position and location of body. Also, Abberline beleives she was also more than likely a JtR victim and i place considerable gravitas with his opinions.

[Abby Normal]

And how many other altercations involving 'unfortunates' that ended in a woman being brutally murdered by knife happened during that same year in the whole of England?

I don't know. How many other altercations involving 'unfortunates' that ended in a woman being brutally murdered by knife happened during that same year in the whole of England?

[Hunter]

17...

There were 11 in 1887 and 11 in 1889... in the whole of England. These were knife murders of females... not just 'unfortunates'.

6 of those 17 in 1888 were Tabram, Nichols, Chapman, Stride, Eddowes and Kelly... all of the same class; in 3 short months in the same area... not the whole of England!

11 in 1887; 11 in 1889 and 17 in 1888... 6 of those 17 within the same square mile...Now what does that reveil?

http://www.jtrforums.com/showpost.php?p=111736&postcount=28

I would like to thank Collin Roberts for providing these amazing statistics.

[Abby Normal]

17...

There were 11 in 1887 and 11 in 1889... in the whole of England. These were knife murders of females... not just 'unfortunates'.

6 of those 17 in 1888 were Tabram, Nichols, Chapman, Stride, Eddowes and Kelly... all of the same class; in 3 short months in the same area... not the whole of England!

11 in 1887; 11 in 1889 and 17 in 1888... 6 of those 17 within the same square mile...Now what does that reveil?

http://www.jtrforums.com/showpost.php?p=111736&postcount=28

I would like to thank Collin Roberts for providing these amazing statistics.

Thanks Hunter
take away thoses 6 and 1888 would be 11 agian like 1887 and 1889.

How many women were murdered in London only (by knife) in 1887 and 1889?