Patricia Cornwell - Walter Sickert - BOOK 2

[richardh]

"Her original accusations in her 2002 book, Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed, outraged art historians and were dismissed by Ripperologists as 'improbable'.
But now, in a new book to be released next week, Cornwell claims the proof of Sickert's guilt lies in the paper he used."

More HERE

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4239244/Patricia-Cornwell-s-new-book-reveals-Jack-Ripper.html#comments

[Pcdunn]

Interesting article, although there are some spelling errors in it. Thanks for the link.

I have not read either book yet. Can anyone tell me why Cornwell's theory is so universally mocked by Ripperologists?

[drstrange169]

It's amazing how many times the Daily Mail has discovered who Jtr was in recent years.

[John G]

Interesting article, although there are some spelling errors in it. Thanks for the link.

I have not read either book yet. Can anyone tell me why Cornwell's theory is so universally mocked by Ripperologists?

It's a long time since I saw the TV programme, but basically her case is reliant on Sickert being responsible for the Ripper letters. However, most researchers, of course, consider most of the Ripper letters to be hoaxes. She also claims the letters contain information that only the killer would know but doesn't elaborate.

There was also a scientific test on one of the letters, in which I believe saliva from a stamp was linked to Sickert. However, this was on the basis of mitochondrial DNA, which several million Britains at the time would have shared, so therefore not even as strong as Russell Edwards' DNA evidence.

[GUT]

Interesting article, although there are some spelling errors in it. Thanks for the link.

I have not read either book yet. Can anyone tell me why Cornwell's theory is so universally mocked by Ripperologists?

Basically the most she established was that Walter wrote some letters.

Now if, like most, you doubt that the killer was the writer that doesn't take you very far.

[Pcdunn]

Basically the most she established was that Walter wrote some letters.

Now if, like most, you doubt that the killer was the writer that doesn't take you very far.

Thanks, GUT. Well, I don't think Sickert wrote ALL the letters, but he was enough of a crime buff that he may well have written some of them. Cornwell says her new book focuses on a small print run of a specific type of paper that is linked to Sickert's personal letters and some JTR letters.

Did JTR write letters? Why not-- other serial killers have, though they mostly came after him.

[John G]

I'm reminded of the notorious Wearside Jack letters and tapes during the Yorkshire Ripper enquiry. The police were convinced they were sent by the killer, apparently containing information that only the killer could know. Of course, in reality they were sent by a sad alcoholic who had nothing to do with the murders.

[GUT]

I'm reminded of the notorious Wearside Jack letters and tapes during the Yorkshire Ripper enquiry. The police were convinced they were sent by the killer, apparently containing information that only the killer could know. Of course, in reality they were sent by a sad alcoholic who had nothing to do with the murders.

Yep very similar. Unfortunately even if Walter were Jack, proving he wrote some letters won't prove it.

There were literally 1000s of letters, clearly not all from one person, if Jack sent any (and I don't rule out that possibility) which one(s).

[John Wheat]

This book belongs in the fiction section like the rest of Cornwell's stories.

[richardnunweek]

Hi.
I must disagree, if it could be proven that Sickert wrote at least one of the letters, it would point to guilt.
Would people be so keen to dismiss , if it could be proven that Druitt, Kosminski,Kelly, Prince Albert Victor, wrote one?
Regards Richard.

[GUT]

Hi.
I must disagree, if it could be proven that Sickert wrote at least one of the letters, it would point to guilt.
Would people be so keen to dismiss , if it could be proven that Druitt, Kosminski,Kelly, Prince Albert Victor, wrote one?
Regards Richard.

Yep. And I think three of those you mention make good suspects, but being a letter writer does not a ripper make when we know as a fact that letters were received from 100s, if not 1000s, of different people.

[Phil Carter]

It boils down to this.

Proof of being the writer of a letter does not prove the same person being a killer.
If Kosminski, Druitt and Co wrote one of the letters.. it would mean..
They wrote a letter. Thats all.

As long as there is no tangible link to the act of murder.. Which there isn't.. then this isnt even circumstantial evidence.

The craving to find "guilt" must be tempered methinks.


Just my opinion.



Phil

[Abby Normal]

what letter/s did she have tested that matched Sickerts DNA?

was it the Openshaw letter? any others match, according to her?

[Phil Carter]

Hi Abby,

Not sure now..but I don't think it was that one. I could be wrong.


Phil

[John Wheat]

Hi.
I must disagree, if it could be proven that Sickert wrote at least one of the letters, it would point to guilt.
Would people be so keen to dismiss , if it could be proven that Druitt, Kosminski,Kelly, Prince Albert Victor, wrote one?
Regards Richard.

I stand by my post.