Talk:Joseph Barnett (Jack the Ripper suspect)

Speculative and dubious points

I noted on the recent discussion as to whether this should be kept that I think there is an issue in the speculative points made here. In particular I have an issue with the claim "After Annie Chapman's death, an envelope that belonged to Barnett was found in the courtyard of Hanbury Street, who could've have lost it when he committed the murder". This section is not clearly cited, but would seem to be based on the Frederick Walker piece on casebook cited further down. However this is significantly different from what Walker says which is that the Joe Barnett's return address and initials could be "consistent" with those on the envelope found at the Chapman murder site. This is a big difference. If there is was an envelope which belonged to Barnett at the Chapman murder site it would surely be widely known - yet I cannot find a single book or article which makes this claim - and almost certainly would have caused Barnett to be considered far more seriously as the prime suspect given it would tie him to two of the murder victims. The other issue is Walker's case has been challenged by others. Casebook itself includes Scott Morro's challenge to Walker's hypothesis (see https://www.casebook.org/dissertations/dst-barn.html ),as well as Walker's response. Morro notes problems with the envelope claim. In commentary on Walker's response (See https://www.casebook.org/dissertations/dst-barn.html) Stewart Evans notes further issues with the envelope, noting the police established its provenience and established Chapman had brought if from her lodging house and that no initials were on it. Thus I think this claim needs to be amended and there needs to be clearer indication that the points made were advanced by Walker and have in some cases been strongly challenged by other experts. Dunarc (talk) 22:56, 7 August 2019 (UTC)

Connection to Jack the Ripper section: porter's fish-filleting knife/skills

'9) As a fish porter, he filleted fish and possessed an appropriate weapon that matched the knife with which the killer inflicted the cuts to his numerous victims.' Also 'Comparison of Barnett's psychological profile and the FBI's profile of the murderer: 3 Barnett worked in a fish market and was undoubtedly experienced in cleaning and filleting fish, and handling a knife.' The problem with this point of connection is that Billingsgate fish porters didn't fillet fish, their (effectively) unionized work involved carrying fish in baskets on their heads, a protected occupation, with no-one else being allowed to move fish around the market. 'The sound fish are then carried ashore by the licensed porters, a class of men who probably make more money in less time than any unskilled labourers in Europe. A Billingsgate porter's license costs but 2s. 6d., including the numbered brass badge with the City arms and the words Billingsgate Market which he wears upon his arm. A hard-working man will earn on favourable days as much as 20s., and that by 10 o'clock in the morning, leaving the rest of the day at his disposal.' https://www.victorianlondon.org/markets/billingsgate.htm Robert P Connolly (talk) 14:42, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Comparison of Barnett's psychological profile and the FBI's profile of the murderer

This entire section is uncited, and should therefore be removed. I have added 'citation needed' tags. Robert P Connolly (talk) 11:30, 15 January 2024 (UTC)

No references have been added, I am therefore removing this section.Robert P Connolly (talk) 13:40, 7 February 2024 (UTC)