Expert: Mark Smith - 10/5/2004

Question
I've just read about the above referenced individual and his conviction for the murder of prostitutes in England in the latter part of the 19th Century.  It is my understanding that his last words on the gallows were: "I am Jack the...."  I believe that he has been discounted as a suspect in the Ripper killings but wondered if you know why.  Is there any supporting evidence.  What are your thoughts on this matter?  Thanks, this just caught my interest and wondered what an expert thinks.

Answer
Hello Donna.
There's a very good reason why he could not have committed the Jack the Ripper murders in London in 1888; he was in prison in the USA. He emigrated to Canada in 1877 before moving to Chicago a year later, where he set himself up as a "quack" doctor. In 1881 he poisoned the husband of a woman he was having an affair with and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He served 10 years in Joliet Prison, Illinois (inmate no. 4374) and was released in 1891. So you see he couldn't have been in London in 1888 !
Mark