Mary Kelly - Dismembered Leg?

[Uncle Jack]

I have just been reading through the inquest report of the Pinchin Street torso and was surprised to read the following;

The CORONER - I should like to ask Dr. Phillips whether there is any similarity in the cutting off of the legs in this case and the one that was severed from the woman in Dorset-street?

What does this mean?. If I am correct in the assumption that the coroner is referring to the Kelly murder then he specifically says that a leg was severed. As far as I know Mary Kelly did not have any limbs severed or cut off, unless I have been missing something for all these years......... Thoughts?

[claire]

No idea, but it's a good find. Is there a record of Phillips' response? That might provide some clues. I know that some commentators have noted the very odd angles about the right leg in the Mary Kelly case that make interpreting the different photographs rather difficult, but I've never read anything from known reports about a severed limb.

Very interesting.

[Uncle Jack]

Hi Claire,

"Dr. Phillips - I have not noticed any sufficient similarity to convince me it was the person who committed both mutilations, but the division of the neck and attempt to disarticulate the bones of the spine are very similar to that which was effected in this case. The savagery shown by the mutilated remains in the Dorset-street case far exceeded that shown in this case. The mutilations in the Dorset-street case were most wanton, whereas in this case it strikes me that they were made for the purpose of disposing of the body. I wish to say that these are mere points that strike me without any comparative study of the other case, except those afforded by partial notes that I have with me. I think in this case there has been greater knowledge shown in regard to the construction of the parts composing the spine, and on the whole there has been a greater knowledge shown of how to separate a joint."

It seems Phillips is convinced that the severence of the torso's limbs was for the purpose of getting rid of the body but that was not the motive for doing this to the Dorset Street woman, if this be Kelly. That is how I saw it anyhow!

[Uncle Jack]

Would love to hear from others about this as it has baffled me. The only other explaination is that there was another woman murdered in Dorset Steet with a severed leg.... and at present I do not know of one.

[Addy]

Hi Uncle Jack,

I also have not heard of another murder in Dorset street. However, in the reply the doctor mentiones savage mutilations, so I expect they mean Kelly. Perhaps at one point they thought the Ripper was trying to get her legs off?

On the other hand, I recently read about another murder taking place two hours before Elizabeth Stride was killed, also by a severed throat. It was a husband killing his wife (he confessed). This murder is not even in the files that cover the Ripper period, so it's almost forgotten (according to the writers). Perhaps there was another murder in Dorset street that didn't get as much attention? (although a murder with mutilations and severed legs seems to me something the press would have jumped at.)

Greetings,

Addy

[smezenen]

Is it possible that the corroner after seing the photos of MJK assumed the right leg had been severed when in reality the right thigh was actually denuded of flesh.

I remember reading somewhere that there may have been other photos of the Millers court crime sceen, (I dont remember where I read it) perhaps the camera angle in those photos make the leg look like a complete amputation. The only other possibility would be that the leg was severed, but was placed in its proper position for the photos in wich case we have the police posing the body for the photo.

[Uncle Jack]

If one of Kelly's legs was severed, then it opens up a whole list of new possibilities.

[Phil Carter]

Uncle Jack,

A slip of the tongue methinks...

best wishes

Phil

[DVV]

If one of Kelly's legs was severed...

...it must have been severed after her burial.

Amitiés,
David

[Hunter]

Uncle Jack,

A slip of the tongue methinks...

best wishes

Phil

I think you nailed it Phil.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello you all!

To put it bluntly; the MJK photos tell it all about her legs!

All the best
Jukka

[Hamrammr]

Hi Uncle Jack,

I'm a sparkling new newbie, but have been looking at another thread concerning Millers Court and Mary Kelly (including some excellent photos, sketches and diagrams) where I'm sure someone mentioned that a claim had been made recently that Jack had used an axe at one point during the Kelly mutilation. If this is true then it would certainly point toward an effort at dismemberment, the only reason for which should surely be the disposal of the body. We should also bear in mind that even a psychopath would have to be thinking with some degree of logic and/or lucidity if he were intending to properly dispose of the body and cover his tracks, and with the condition of Mary Kelly's body after the ferocious attack, it is hard to believe that anything other than a frenzied, unhinged mind was at work. But who knows. Does anyone else know about an axe? I think I also heard that a pickaxe was noted as being in one corner of the room by a reporter or policeman, though this may have been put there by an officer after breaking the door down.

[DVV]

Hi Hamrammr,

you're correct, an axe (or a hatchet) has been suggested. By Nick Warren, I think. Many moons ago...
An obvious mistake, imo.
As we can see, hatchet or not, he didn't try to dismember her. As to the pickaxe, it was McCarthy's. He used it to open the door.

Amitiés,
David

[j.r-ahde]

Hello David!

There were some clues about an effort obducting her right arm, weren't there?!

All the best
Jukka

[Phil Carter]

Hello Jukka,

I will innocently whistle quietly to myself....

best wishes

Phil