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Does anyone know if the Morris Lewis arrested for theft was the same man who reportedly saw Mary Kelly just hours before her body was discovered?
Morning Advertiser 31 Dec 1888
"Morris Lewis, 22, a Polish Jew, was charged, on remand, before Mr. Lushhington, with stealing a number of articles, valued at 5l., belonging to Julius Levy, a tailor, of 161, Cannon-street-road, St. George's-in-the-East. He was further charged with stealing things from the house of Esther Abrahams, 36, Fashion-street, Spitalfields,--Mr. Blackwell, barrister defended.-Levy stated that between seven and eight o'clock on the evening of the 8th the prisoner went to him and asked if he wanted a presser. He replied he did not, and then Lewis told him where he had been working. The prisoner then went downstairs, and about 12.30 the next morning the witness missed two jackets, two overcoats, two waistcoats, &c., worth 5l. The things were taken from the first floor front room. At the time the accused called the door of the room in question was unlocked, and shortly before that the witness saw the things safe. The door was unlocked all the evening. He afterwards saw the prisoner and gave him into custody. Lewis said, "I known nothing of it." Later on he said, "If you go to my father he will give you double the money."-Esther Abrahams, 36, Fashion-street, Spitalfields, said that on the 19th inst. she went out for a few minutes, and on coming home she found the door of her room unlocked. She then saw a man coming downstairs, and afterwards missed clothing to the value of 6l, from her room. The prisoner subsequently knocked at her door, and asked if she knew a presser named Harris. She told him she had been robbed, and he said, "I saw the thief wrapping up all your things in a bag. I know the thief quite well, and can get your things back." He afterwards brought her some of the things back. Her brother afterwards gave the prisoner 1s. for his trouble. When the prisoner was in custody he said, "Will you go home to my father's place and get your things back, and not go against me."-Mr. Lushington thought no jury would convict on the first charge, and that would be dismissed. With regard to the second charge, he should commit the prisoner for trial. He would accept bail in two sureties of 40l each."
Morning Advertiser 31 Dec 1888
"Morris Lewis, 22, a Polish Jew, was charged, on remand, before Mr. Lushhington, with stealing a number of articles, valued at 5l., belonging to Julius Levy, a tailor, of 161, Cannon-street-road, St. George's-in-the-East. He was further charged with stealing things from the house of Esther Abrahams, 36, Fashion-street, Spitalfields,--Mr. Blackwell, barrister defended.-Levy stated that between seven and eight o'clock on the evening of the 8th the prisoner went to him and asked if he wanted a presser. He replied he did not, and then Lewis told him where he had been working. The prisoner then went downstairs, and about 12.30 the next morning the witness missed two jackets, two overcoats, two waistcoats, &c., worth 5l. The things were taken from the first floor front room. At the time the accused called the door of the room in question was unlocked, and shortly before that the witness saw the things safe. The door was unlocked all the evening. He afterwards saw the prisoner and gave him into custody. Lewis said, "I known nothing of it." Later on he said, "If you go to my father he will give you double the money."-Esther Abrahams, 36, Fashion-street, Spitalfields, said that on the 19th inst. she went out for a few minutes, and on coming home she found the door of her room unlocked. She then saw a man coming downstairs, and afterwards missed clothing to the value of 6l, from her room. The prisoner subsequently knocked at her door, and asked if she knew a presser named Harris. She told him she had been robbed, and he said, "I saw the thief wrapping up all your things in a bag. I know the thief quite well, and can get your things back." He afterwards brought her some of the things back. Her brother afterwards gave the prisoner 1s. for his trouble. When the prisoner was in custody he said, "Will you go home to my father's place and get your things back, and not go against me."-Mr. Lushington thought no jury would convict on the first charge, and that would be dismissed. With regard to the second charge, he should commit the prisoner for trial. He would accept bail in two sureties of 40l each."
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