Well Herlock, I'm likely on the side of those who doubt Anderson's I.D. took place as described.
I guess not knowing when the I.D. occurred is the first major hurdle, Kozminski theorists might choose to place it in 1890, but that's only trying to make the evidence fit the theory.
The problem I have with Schwartz being Anderson's witness is, if the I.D. didn't happen around Oct-Nov. 1888, then how did they find him to take him for an I.D.
The police didn't have any mysterious system to find people in those days, especially renters. If we can't find him today (one recent possibility on Howards List?) with all our access to records the police in the day wouldn't have had it any easier.
Lawende is a different matter, and the police could find him at a moments notice, because he ran a business - he had a business address. It appears the police used him in 1891 to try I.D. Sadler, but failed, then again early in 1895 to I.D. Grainger, but no action taken by police.
So it seems Lawende was the 'go-to' witness for any I.D. by the police at that time. So, he must be the leading candidate for those who believe an I.D. did take place something along the lines as Anderson described.
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Who Was Anderson’s Witness?
Some doubt that this identification ever took place of course but the two names that tend to crop up as candidates are Lawende and Schwartz. I’d be interested to hear opinions of how they can be assessed (pros and cons) or if other candidates can be suggested? We know that he was apparently Jewish but that’s it.
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