In Trouble...Again...in 1890

[Howard Brown]

This time he's wearing glasses...article located by Nina.


Chicago Tribune
Nov. 19,1890

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac287/HowieNina/Photo%20Thanksgiving/Forums%20March%202010/glasses.jpg

[Nemo]

Does he mean there that he was never charged as a "suspicious person" in London?

What did the charge relate to in the US?

I've heard of people being questioned because they are acting suspiciously, but I don't think I've heard of someone being brought to court under charge of being a "suspicious person"

[Joe Chetcuti]

Tumblety was arrested near the corner of Ninth Street & Pennsylvania Avenue. A boy (who was held by the police as a witness) was probably the victim of the doctor's sexual advance. The kid was ordered to appear in court along with the doctor.

Tumblety denied that he was mixed up in a scandal that implicated certain Lords. I suppose these Lords were Englishmen who sat in the House of Lords. An aura of suspicion involving English politics seemed to have shadowed this Ripper suspect.

[Nemo]

Hi Joe

I assumed he was referring to the Cleveland St scandal - is that incorrect you think?

[Tim Riordan]

I agree with Nemo, the scandal referred to was the Cleveland Street Scandal which had made headlines earlier in 1890. The implication of "suspicious person" being homosexual.

Best,

Tim

[Nemo]

Thanks Tim!

Strange that the charge would not be "sexual deviant" or similar

So he was actually denying ever being arrested in London as a homosexual - which is incorrect?

I've seen his charges in London described as indecent assault with force of arms etc against four men, which makes him an accused violent rapist doesn't it?

However, I've also seen the description as "gross assault with force and arms" which is a completely different scenario altogether

[Joe Chetcuti]

So if I understand this correctly, on November 18, 1890 Judge Miller of the police court in Washington DC dismissed a case against Tumblety. During the case, Tumblety was accused of having been involved in the Cleveland Street scandal. A scandal that came about in July 1889 in England.

[Joe Chetcuti]

He said that some newspapers attempted to say that he was "Jack the Ripper," but that was a silly statement to which he paid no attention.

I was just thinking...is this the only time ever when a man took the stand in an official court of law and denied that he was Jack the Ripper?

[Howard Brown]

Joltin'

I was just thinking...is this the only time ever when a man took the stand in an official court of law and denied that he was Jack the Ripper?

Joe... the article doesn't mention one way or the other if Tumblety was on the stand when he stated it was silly of the papers to associate him with the WM.