Is "Mr. Blotchy" the best suspect we have?

[Wickerman]

These people had fleeting glimpses in poor light how can we take any of the descriptions seriously.Today at work I spent over an hour dealing with a customer I was sat with him for just under an hour I couldn't possibly describe him now a few hours on.

Probably because there was no importance attached to him. I mean he isn't thought to have gone on to murder someone I suppose?

[Wickerman]

What makes someone look like a sailor is their dress...

Exactly, but when was a sailor identified by a billycock hat & longish dark coat?

Especially when some put absolute faith in a peaked cap & short jacket?

[Batman]

Cox had a light.

[pinkmoon]

These people had fleeting glimpses in poor light how can we take any of the descriptions seriously.Today at work I spent over an hour dealing with a customer I was sat with him for just under an hour I couldn't possibly describe him now a few hours on.

[Batman]

Mrs. Fiddymont saw a redhead. Lawende saw a "fair haired" man. Either of these could have been blotchy.

Correct. As was Ada Wilson's attacker. Red face. Similar description.

Hair colour would be a lesser understood factor given hats and no street lights except for Miller's Court. Cox got the best look.

[Coroner] The chin was shaven ? - Yes. A lamp faced the door.

Marshall with the Stride murder described a stout man. So did Brown.

What makes someone look like a sailor is their dress, not their physical shape, but maybe sunburn, which Blotchy may have.

[Damaso Marte]

Mrs. Fiddymont saw a redhead. Lawende saw a "fair haired" man. Either of these could have been blotchy.

[pinkmoon]

Indeed, and that problem is just as present today as it ever was. Police often have to seek out witnesses, even close neighbours, who are well aware a crime has been committed, but are reluctant to get involved.

It certainly explains our killers superhuman powers which enabled him to avoid detection.

[Wickerman]

Indeed, and that problem is just as present today as it ever was. Police often have to seek out witnesses, even close neighbours, who are well aware a crime has been committed, but are reluctant to get involved.

[pinkmoon]

Blotchy is certainly a suspect, but can't be said to be the "best", if we give consideration to the previous suspect descriptions.

There is nothing about the description provided by Cox, that resembles a sailor. Neither does it resemble the Mitre Sq. suspect, nor the man described by Schwartz, or Mrs Long for that matter.

The first concern with Cox's testimony is, that it was contradicted as to time, to some degree by that of Mrs Prater.
The second concern is that inquiries in local pubs & beer houses could not turn up anyone who saw a man resembling Blotchy prior to the time Cox said she saw him.
Two indicators that the time given by Cox may have been inaccurate, for what ever reason. Which then calls his viability as the killer into question.

And, Pinkmoon is right (I think we can all appreciate that), a married man is not going to come forward even if innocent.

I have always thought that anybody out and about in the area at the time of the murders would be very reluctant to come forward it is quite possible that someone saw something and never contacted the police.

[Wickerman]

Blotchy is certainly a suspect, but can't be said to be the "best", if we give consideration to the previous suspect descriptions.

There is nothing about the description provided by Cox, that resembles a sailor. Neither does it resemble the Mitre Sq. suspect, nor the man described by Schwartz, or Mrs Long for that matter.

The first concern with Cox's testimony is, that it was contradicted as to time, to some degree by that of Mrs Prater.
The second concern is that inquiries in local pubs & beer houses could not turn up anyone who saw a man resembling Blotchy prior to the time Cox said she saw him.
Two indicators that the time given by Cox may have been inaccurate, for what ever reason. Which then calls his viability as the killer into question.

And, Pinkmoon is right (I think we can all appreciate that), a married man is not going to come forward even if innocent.

[pinkmoon]

Mr blotchy could well have been married(poor sod) so if that's the case is he going to come forward I don't think so.

[John G]

My main difficulty with this suspect is that he had such a distinctive complexion, which would surely have stood out. And yet no other witness refers to a similar looking suspect.

[Batman]

Based on the eyewitness testimony?

If we went with inquest findings, Cox gives the best eyewitness testimony. Blotchy. Blotchy was never found and overlooked due to Hutchinson's suspect and time of death but there is no reason why he couldn't have done it. He was there. No one saw him leave.

Second is Lawende. It is likely Lawende withheld details from the inquest at the request of Mr. Carpenter, the police lawyer. So he must have had something important.

Outside of inquest testimony you have Schwartz and Hutchinson. Schwartz was never doubted by the investigation and there is a police report Swanson mentions to say no doubt has been cast on his story. Why he didn't attend has some answers, none entirely satisfactory, but will do. They believed him.

Schwartz gives a good description of the suspect, like Lawende. Hutchinson, well there is nothing to suggest his longevity as a witness lasted more than a few weeks. Which says a lot.

Blotchy. Never found. Never sold his story to the press. Not a thing after except for the Galloway sighting where a policeman suggested his was a person cooperating with the police (not a policeman due to what the policeman said). I suspect this person was part of the Whitechapel Vig. Commitee.

[Harry D]

Based on the eyewitness testimony?