Framing Charles

[Abby Normal]

Well, the idea that Lechmere couldn't have been there on a Saturday Night is, of course, nonsense; on the other hand, I don't see how a 1 a.m. murder preceding his day off 'fits nicely.'

If he's slogging to work at 3.30 a.m. for years on end, then he's most likely in a routine of hitting the hay by 8 or 9 in the evening. (I speak from some experience on this score). And he's made a rather long day of it if he's worked the Saturday shift and is still roaming the streets at 1 a.m. later that night. Working men (and women) are famous for letting their hair down on Saturday night, but if he's a 3.30 a.m. riser with a large family, I'm thinking 11 p.m. would hit him like a brick wall. Nor is the idea of Lechmere getting up 2 1/2 hours early on his day off, in order to trawl the streets, after a six day work week, all that convincing. Even a murderer gets knackered.

The American murderer David Berkowitz shot one of his victims at 3 a.m. on his day off (Sunday), but he worked the late-shift at the post office and was thus a 'night owl,' so the late/early hour of the crimes fit Berkowitz's normal work hours. Lechmere's schedule appears to have been the exact opposite of Berkowitz's.

Lechmere doesn't have an alibi. I'll give him that, but I fail to see how the timings of the murders strengthens the case against him.

hi rj
all that makes sense too. my take on it- he heads to mums after work for a visit then heads out after that. maybe he hits the pubs and or starts the hunt. he dosnt havent to worry about getting to work so theres no rush. he can take his time-which he does with stride but that dosnt work out so its then eddowes and the GSG/apron events. and im sure the thrill of the hunt and all the craziness that night would keep the adrenaline going. to me it strengthens the case case against him insomuch as its a logical series of events and timings with his known factual locations of visit. IMHO it fits nicely. very. better than most suspects anyway.

[rjpalmer]

So the earlier time and location of Stride’s murder fits very nicely.

Well, the idea that Lechmere couldn't have been there on a Saturday Night is, of course, nonsense; on the other hand, I don't see how a 1 a.m. murder preceding his day off 'fits nicely.'

If he's slogging to work at 3.30 a.m. for years on end, then he's most likely in a routine of hitting the hay by 8 or 9 in the evening. (I speak from some experience on this score). And he's made a rather long day of it if he's worked the Saturday shift and is still roaming the streets at 1 a.m. later that night. Working men (and women) are famous for letting their hair down on Saturday night, but if he's a 3.30 a.m. riser with a large family, I'm thinking 11 p.m. would hit him like a brick wall. Nor is the idea of Lechmere getting up 2 1/2 hours early on his day off, in order to trawl the streets, after a six day work week, all that convincing. Even a murderer gets knackered.

The American murderer David Berkowitz shot one of his victims at 3 a.m. on his day off (Sunday), but he worked the late-shift at the post office and was thus a 'night owl,' so the late/early hour of the crimes fit Berkowitz's normal work hours. Lechmere's schedule appears to have been the exact opposite of Berkowitz's.

Lechmere doesn't have an alibi. I'll give him that, but I fail to see how the timings of the murders strengthens the case against him.

[MrBarnett]

hi gary
also that since he wasnt onhis way to work, he had time for eddowes and the whole apron/gsg events

That’s right, Abby.

[Abby Normal]

I had my doubts before, but now I’m inclined to believe that Sunday was indeed Lechmere’s day off work. So the earlier time and location of Stride’s murder fits very nicely.

hi gary
also that since he wasnt onhis way to work, he had time for eddowes and the whole apron/gsg events

[MrBarnett]

>> ... how on earth would they know what time you arrived/left your mother’s house?<<

Scene #1: Couple of days after the murder Mrs L takes some food over for daughter, chats with Ma C,

Mrs L: " Charlie was really late Saturday what were you two doing?"

Ma C: " Whatcha mean late? He left here well before the rain started!"

Who’s Ma C? Is this a new addition to the ‘cast of thousands?’ ;-)

Ma L: “Yes, he left about the usual time but came back later, soaking wet.”


Or,

Ma L: “Did Charlie get wet on his way home on Saturday?”

Mrs L: “I’ve no idea, I was fast asleep when he got in.

Or,

Mrs L: “I think I’ll pop some of this left over stew over to your mum later.”

JTR: “No, it was delicious, I’ll finish off myself.”