(Part 4) Patricia Cornwell's Jack: First Impressions of Case Closed

Written by Cindy Collins Smith
Published September 03, 2003
page 1 | 2 | 3

And even if she knew for a fact that Walter , not Oswald, Sickert drew the sketches, would they necessarily indicate that he harbored murderous desires towards women?

And finally finally finally...

Cornwell ignores the "Nemo" letter to the editors of the Times of London (the letter about Eastern criminal methods). Yet in a set up to a major rhetorical flourish, she does make a point of "Nemo" having been Sickert's stage name, only to instruct us that Sickert "dropped" this name "in the late summer of 1888 [and] he gave himself a new stage name that during his life would never be linked to him."

Oh, the certainty of it all. Oh, the manipulation of it all! Need I tell you what that new stage name is? No, you know it. It has been played out on the world stage for over a century now. It is synonymous with evil and murder and blood on the streets of London in the fog.

But Cornwell's flourish, no matter how effective rhetorically, still begs the question.
And Martha Tabram is still quite likely the victim of a different killer.

page 1 | 2 | 3
Cindy Collins Smith is a writer/editor with contributions in several Midnight Marquee/Luminary Press books—including the recently published You're Next: Loss of Identity in the Horror Film. She is known in Ripper circles as the owner of the Hollywood Ripper website, which covers nine decades of Ripper and Faux Ripper movies, and she is a serial contributor to Ripperologist magazine. In her day job, Ms. Smith edits a magazine, a newsletter and conference publications for a professional association. She also helps develop social media strategies.
Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
(Part 4) Patricia Cornwell's Jack: First Impressions of Case Closed
Published: September 03, 2003
Type:
Section: Books
Filed Under: Books: Crime
Writer: Cindy Collins Smith
Cindy Collins Smith's BC Writer page
Cindy Collins Smith's personal site
Spread the Word
Like this article?
Email this
Submit to del.icio.us Save to del.icio.us
RSS Feeds
All RSS Feeds (240+)
Comments on this article
BC articles by Cindy Collins Smith
Books: Crime
All Books Articles
Cindy Collins Smith's personal weblog
All BC articles
All BC Comments

Comments

#1 — November 24, 2003 @ 14:29PM — Nyx [URL]

What about the watermarks on the Ripper letters that matched watermarks on letters Sickert sent out? Did you mention that? Did I miss it? What about the inks that were used on these letters that were known to be used by Sickert? I think she proved that the killer was an artist from the matches done on the paper and ink.

I think Cornwell has dug up enough evidence that the case should be reopened and possibly even brought to trial.

She hasn't proved that the Ripper was Sickert, but she has brought up new evidence. Sure, she seems biased. She's convinced that Sickert was the Ripper. But wouldn't any District Attorney prosecuting a case have the same bias?

Despite what Cornwell states the case isn't closed, but it definately should be reopened and examined with modern forensic examnination.

Want comments emailed to you? No spam, promise! Address:

Add your comment, speak your mind

(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/8047)

Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.





Remember Name/URL?

Please preview your comment!

Fresh
Articles
Fresh
Comments