John Richardson sitting on the step

[Jon Guy]

Seems it was at inquest--so I presume Baxter.

When I get home I`ll have to check what he said to Chandler in the passageway. But, I suppose a detail like standing or sitting may not have seemed an important detail to recall for Richardson.

[Jon Guy]

Hi Harry

John Richardson remains for me one of the (many) great enigmas in this case, and would certainly have a lot of explaining to do if I were able to time-travel myself back to East London 1888 and play detective. (Like how do you cut leather off your boot with a blunt table knife, for one.)

Have you noticed how Pipeman`s description is very similar to John Richardson. Although, Pipeman`s description is fairly generic, Richardson was a tall man with brown hair and a brown moustache.

[lynn cates]

Baxter

Hello Jon. Thanks.

Seems it was at inquest--so I presume Baxter.

Cheers.
LC

[Jon Guy]

Hi Lynn

Thanks for your reply!!

Who did Richardson give the first story to, was it Insp Chandler in the passageway of number 29?

[lynn cates]

versions

Hello Jon. An interesting thought.

If I recall properly, Richardson's first version had him standing and cutting; his second version, sitting and cutting; his last version sitting and trying to cut.

If that is correct and he were the assailant, and his body placement described as it was for the motive you suggest, it seems he would have omitted the first version and gone directly to the second.

One gets the feeling that the emendation from one to two was designed to make his witness "more meaningful."

Cheers.
LC

[Harry the Hawker]

John Richardson remains for me one of the (many) great enigmas in this case, and would certainly have a lot of explaining to do if I were able to time-travel myself back to East London 1888 and play detective. (Like how do you cut leather off your boot with a blunt table knife, for one.)

Cheers!
Harry

[Jon Guy]

I was thinking about John Richardson sitting on the top step in the backyard of 29 Hanbury St, leaning forward and cutting the bit of leather off his boot.

I was struck by the similarity in Richardson`s body position and location in the yard to the Ripper`s position over Chapman at the foot of the steps.

Just kicking this around,but what if Richardson was the killer of Chapman, at the time Dr Phillips suggested. At that time it was just getting light and perhaps Richardson may have been spooked that someone from a distant window may have seen him and when he returned to the scene of the crime and came up with the "cutting leather off his shoe" story to explain why, if he`d been seen, he had been hunched over in that corner of the yard.

Yeah, I know Chapman`s head was between the steps and fence, and Richardson was sitting on the top step but they`re still very close in proximity.

Just some food for thought ...