Suspect Contra Suspicious: The People Speak

[How Brown]

Thread for discussing the qualifications of individuals deemed as suspects in the matter of the WM.

In addition, lets be clear as to whether they actually were either mentioned in an official document, actually interrogated and released, or a suspect in some other fashion. Even people like John Pizer and Karl Ludwig,,,the ones who were subsequently dismissed in 1888.

In example: Stephenson, for all of 2 days to our best knowledge probably was a suspect in that his name was submitted to the police. More on that later.

On the other hand, the lodger in the Gavin Bromley article recently provided by our good pals at Ripperologist Magazine ( Mrs.Kuer's Lodger) was or is suspicious.

Lets get our hands dirty on this one,mates....

[How Brown]

Okay...let me submit this then:

Robert Stephenson...not a suspect in 2008.
**************************

Original Assessment: 1888, suspected by George Marsh in December of same year and subject of a deposition by Marsh to Scotland Yard on December 24th,1888.

Actions Undertaken: Deposition taken down by Inspector Thomas Roots...and paper/account of Dec. 24th jettisoned to Donald Swanson

Original Response: None known. However, subject of Marsh Deposition appears at Scotland Yard two days later and a report of the discussion between subject and same Inspector is documented. Nothing in this second deposition ( known as Roots Report ) indicates slightest suspicion about Stephenson, that there was an investigation already undertaken in regard to Marsh Deposition, or the recommendation that any future inquiries be done in regard to Stephenson.

Contemporaneous Status: Non-suspect after Dec. 26th, 1888 to best of our knowledge.

Subsequent Theorization: Melvin Harris in late 1980's and early 1990's.

Actions Undertaken : Several individuals point out discrepancies in life story of Stephenson emanating from primarily from and by Stephenson as well as Harris and Ivor Edwards.

Modern Status: Non suspect. In addition to several loose ends being tied up, counter-argument of one How Brown,Norman-American Ripperologist, demonstrates that Harris' first premise was that Stephenson entered London Hospital after murder of Mary Kelly. Upon realizing error, Harris baselessly claims that Stephenson faked original complaint of neurasthenia in a second theorization without any evidence whatsoever.... This is the modern "platform" for all pro-Stephenson theorists to stand on.

[Scott Nelson]

Or how about this: If Roots hadn't known RDS previously, Marsh's statement may not have even been recorded, ending all subsequent speculation about him.

[How Brown]

Dear Scott:

Hmmm..I see what you mean here,sir...but:

I believe ( cannot prove ) that even though Roots knew Stephenson that :

A. On the occasion of Marsh's visit, Roots was not 100% certain that the man Marsh was describing was, in fact, the Stephenson he thought Marsh was referring to.

B. Regardless of whether he knew of RDS or not, a file or a deposition had to be taken as that was and is part of police protocol and procedure.

Here's my two cents,Senor Nelson:

If Roots did not know him...he would have recorded the Marsh testimony. He would have had to.

If he had known for certain that it was the Stephenson he thought Marsh was referring to, I think ( cannot prove ) that he still would have written something down in the presence of Marsh ( Maybe tossed it away afterwards or perhaps sending it upward to Swanson anyway...).

This,and I am glad that you mentioned what you did,Scott...is why I think that this is one ( of perhaps a handful of reasons ) reason that Stephenson went to see Roots two days later to make sure that his bluster in the barroom did not result in his person actually being looked into. Despite all his bizarre behavior in December, I get the feeling he really didn't want "hands on" examination by the police.

In addition...and again thanks to you:kiss:,as my mind segues from one thing to the other on occasion....I wanted to stress that although we are all aware of the 2 day gap between the visit by Marsh and the follow up by Stephenson to straighten things out....we do not know whether Stephenson went the very next day to Scotland Yard in search of Roots to straighten it out then. Stephenson may very well have gone on Christmas...and been told that Roots was at home for Christmas....and to come back the next day. This, to me, is very likely....and again...the two day gap may only be a two day gap between deposition, not visitation.

Thanks, Scott. See what you do to me?

[How Brown]

My apologies for diverting the thread in my response to Scott Nelson...I just wanted to respond to Mr. Nelson's post.

So...onward and upward:

Can anyone else delineate a suspect in the manner I have attempted with Stephenson....or can anyone provide a "suspicious" person or two ?