Would you tell?

[Monty]

I understand your skepticism mate but I am genuinely worried about getting in trouble as the information was received after signing the official secrets act (a necessity for the information to be divulged). I'm unaware of the punishment for breaking the pledge in that contract and until I am I'm a little apprehensive about saying anything. And as far as me knowing something, this isn't true. I am aware that a small number of individuals THINK that they know something but this could easily be bravado and they may know absolutely nothing.

I understand that you must get a lot of attention seekers who claim to know something no-one else does and who end up withholding that information they never actually had in the first place.

Hi Steven,

So don't you think that coming on a Public forum and making a claim the killer is known has kinda blown your position?

Monty

[Stevencc]

How could you possibly get "in trouble"?

Robert Anderson beat you to it. His was an earlier, "I know something, but I can't tell you" - type claim.
I'm sure there are more still to come....

I understand your skepticism mate but I am genuinely worried about getting in trouble as the information was received after signing the official secrets act (a necessity for the information to be divulged). I'm unaware of the punishment for breaking the pledge in that contract and until I am I'm a little apprehensive about saying anything. And as far as me knowing something, this isn't true. I am aware that a small number of individuals THINK that they know something but this could easily be bravado and they may know absolutely nothing.

I understand that you must get a lot of attention seekers who claim to know something no-one else does and who end up withholding that information they never actually had in the first place.

[martin wilson]

I dont know that it would affect casebook all that much,the challenge then would be to find out everything about his life and crimes and inevitably other murders he may or may not have committed.
And off we go again.....
I don't think money would be much of a consideration, it's obviously a lifelong passion for some, and I would guess over the years they have spent not an insignificant sum of money pursuing it.
I might write a book but I think the public only buy in droves if it's the mad doctor with the top hat,red satin lined cape and the medical bag, plus a royal connection, I know very little about publishing but my guess is that publishers charge authors for anything they can think of,including the cost of the coffee drunk by the editor while they are reading the draft.
So,maybe a day in the news,not much money and a sparky debate about the torso murders.
Bliss.
All the best.

[Wickerman]

How could you possibly get "in trouble"?

Robert Anderson beat you to it. His was an earlier, "I know something, but I can't tell you" - type claim.
I'm sure there are more still to come....

[Stevencc]

I am kind of in this situation at the moment. Not that I specifically know who Jack the Ripper was or that I have some tenuous family link. I can say that numerous individuals within the Metropolitan Police Force have declared themselves 100% sure as to who the Ripper was and that they have known for years who he was. They even proudly display a picture of his face in a location I do not want to name as it would reveal how I got this information. If they are as sure as they say they are I don't know what is stopping them from publicly releasing the information. All I will say for now is that the guy they think they know as Jack the Ripper is a well-known suspect amongst Ripperologists. Sorry that I am being slightly vague here but I don't want to get anyone including myself in trouble.

[Carol]

Hi everyone!

I've given this question 'Would you tell?' quite a bit of thought since first reading it and then reading the answers.

I think I would be so nervous that I would write 'private' Emails to the members on Casebook that I most respect for their advice on how to go about 'publishing' my find.

I wouldn't want any money myself but if I did receive anything then I would give it all to various hospices for terminally ill children. I would feel very uncomfortable keeping anything.

Carol

[Phil Carter]

Hello Dave,

I feel 80, look 70. Age is just a number. Haha

best whiskies

Phil

[Cogidubnus]

Me? I'd tell, straightaway...couldn't give a toss about the cash (worked hard but been bust most of my life)...but yes, if I'm honest, I'd probably enjoy showing off!

At 54 (soon) I just feel like an ageing youngster!

Phil you ARE a youngster! I've always assumed you were a real old fart...older than me! Now you've really pi55ed me off!

All the best

Dave

[sleekviper]

I would imagine that something on the lines of what would equal concrete evidence would come in several parts; a long lost uncle has placed a steamer trunk in a basement of a family home that has not changed hands for generations. My grandmother has one, and who knows what is inside, been locked with no keys since who knows when. With that type treasure situation, a truck filled with artifacts that more than point to someone, which is about what it would take, I would explain to police with a few vital pieces of information from the trunk. I should be able to keep it anonymous;evidence given with the condition that identity of donor remains unknown, and retain the vast portion for later use, if needed, or for children to decide. That could be one heck of a nest egg, especially the knife. So give a little, save a lot; will never make everyone happy no matter how much is found anyway.

[Phil Carter]

It seems there are lots of noble and high-minded people among us. If I had definite proof, I'd share it too but only after taking expert advice on how I could make a shed-load of money out of it.

Just being honest.

Best wishes,
Steve.

Hello Steve,

....and that honesty is respected!

i wouldn't envy you some vicious hawks in the media machine knowing that honest comment though. Haha!

Best wishes

Phil

[Phil Carter]

First, I don't need to worry about the delimna, I have no proof as to the identity of JTR nor am I likely to ever find it.

I think it is possibly my age that makes me say I would keep the knowledge to myself. When I was 25 I probably would have announced it, or wrote a book in order to make money.

Now I just want the rest of my life to be as smooth and peaceful as possible.
Where was Sherlock when we needed him!!
Stan

Hello Stan,

Well, we all have our reasons. Thats fair enough. At 54 (soon) I just feel like an ageing youngster! Haha!
These young whippersnappers have the energy these days.
Nowadays, an afternoon snooze is so lovely....

Best wishes

Phil

[Stan41]

First, I don't need to worry about the delimna, I have no proof as to the identity of JTR nor am I likely to ever find it.

I think it is possibly my age that makes me say I would keep the knowledge to myself. When I was 25 I probably would have announced it, or wrote a book in order to make money.

Now I just want the rest of my life to be as smooth and peaceful as possible.
Where was Sherlock when we needed him!!
Stan

[Phil Carter]

Hello Jen,

i wouldn't want to show off either though. LOL. Good luck with that feeling Jen! Haha!

This isnt a stage show (even though the media would try to turn it into one!). Its telling it how it was. The truth would be in the spotlight if done right, not the storyteller. Id just be the messenger.
The victims and their families deserve peace of mind, some small recompence, retribution, or suchlike in terms of dignified honesty. We owe it to them, imho

Best wishes

Phil

[Jenni Shelden]

Hi Phil,

actually now i think about it I have to agree, its not so much the money that would be the pull, but in my case, I think it would be the overwhelming urge to show off.

Which is not that out of character LOL

Jenni

[Phil Carter]

Hello Jenn,

You are welcome to your opinion of course, but I can assure you that from my point of view, I would only do ANY interview, spin-off etc, with a charitable cause in mind. Otherwise I'd not do any spin-off. Why?
Well for one Ive had my 15mins in the media spotlight and know full well the level that it can be lowered to- and wouldn't, under ANY circumstances use personal financial gain get into the picture, especially in this situation.
For another, my interest in this started with my family being there at the time. They had very little and never sought to gain anything from their experiences in the East End. Telling me about those experiences, background to the case, was for me to hear them, an honour. They asked for, expected and accepted nothing from me (nor anyone else) for telling me what they knew - I would not ask for, expect nor accept anything personal gain for telling others what I knew. And when the attention subsided, I'd just go back to being an everyday man again.

So I can assure you, with very good reasons, I am not lying to myself nor to the world on here in saying I would not accept any personal financial gain, but would do things for two charities I hold most dear- Help a London Child (originally through Capitol Radio in the 1970 's) and Children in Need.

Thats just the way I see it. It's that simple. I cant speak for others whn have their own reasons, for all I know.

best wishes

Phil