Swanson's report of 19-10-1888 re Llewellyn and JTR's handedness.

[mpriestnall]

Just noticed this from "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper" - New Edition by Philip Sugden. P40.

From Swanson's report: "At first the Doctor was of the opinion that the wounds were caused by a left-handed person but he is now doubtful".

Is anyone aware of a source predating Swanson's report mentioning Llewellyn's doubts about JTR being left-handed?

I'm just pondering whether Swanson wrote this with his "Shifty Nib" or not.

Martyn

[Wickerman]

Just noticed this from "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper" - New Edition by Philip Sugden. P40.

From Swanson's report: "At first the Doctor was of the opinion that the wounds were caused by a left-handed person but he is now doubtful".

Is anyone aware of a source predating Swanson's report mentioning Llewellyn's doubts about JTR being left-handed?

I'm just pondering whether Swanson wrote this with his "Shifty Nib" or not.

Martyn

Martyn.

I remember the issue, it came from the belief the victim had been attacked from the front. After they realized that this assumption was wrong, we read what you found above.

[Wickerman]

This is the early police report where we find the question; "? by a lefthanded man". (almost exactly half way down the right side).



It only ever was a question, but has come down to us as a statement.

[mpriestnall]

This is the early police report where we find the question; "? by a lefthanded man". (almost exactly half way down the right side).



It only ever was a question, but has come down to us as a statement.

Wickerman, thank you very much for your two posts.

I hadn't considered the possibility that the question of handedness
in this instance might be determined by the issue whether the attack came from, front or back,
and that is what raised doubts in Llewellyn's mind.

Cheers.

[Joshua Rogan]

I agree with Wickerman's posts. I think it was Dr Llewellyn who suggested the attacker was left-handed, according to his interview (in the Daily News 1 Sept);

"From the nature of the cuts on the throat it is probable that they were inflicted with the left hand"

However the press were reporting this the evening before (Echo 31 Aug);

"The police, who are making the most careful investigation into the matter, express an opinion that the deceased was killed by a left-handed person, judging from the nature of the injuries."

I've just realised I completely misread your post. In my defence my glasses are broken and keep falling off.

[mpriestnall]

Joshua, #metoo. I have a temporary problem with my rose-tinted glasses and have to borrow a pair from my mate Diogenes.

Perhaps I had not made my intention clear in my OP. I was pondering whether Swanson had invented the fact that Llewellyn doubted his initial belief that JTR was left-handed or was there evidence prior to Swanson's report elsewhere, in a press report for e.g. for Llewellyn's change of view regarding JTR's handedness. Wickerman's explanation does seem to answer my query, though.

Really, I was pondering along the same lines at Bruce Robinson re Packer etc.

It's really not that important to me though.

But still it's my firm believe JTR had been arrested post the double event and the police had started to protect him by disassembling about certain facts about JTR to help protect him.

I'll post tomorrow on a new thread some documentary evidence that supports my foregoing belief.

Thanks for your post,

Martyn