Joseph Barnett Flashcards
When was he suggested as a suspect
Joseph Barnett was suggested as a suspect by former private detective Bruce Paley in 1976
With whom did he have a relationship with:
Mary Jane Kelly
Theory as to why he may have done it
The theory, according to Bruce Paley, is that Joseph Barnett was growing tired of Mary Kelly prostituting herself to other men. He was very much in love with Kelly, and believed that if he could support her through his own work, she would not have to resort to a life on the streets. The loss of his job as a fish porter in June of 1888 brought this dream to an end. Kelly returned to the streets in order to provide for herself, and Barnett became infuriated. In an attempt to “scare”Kelly off the streets, Barnett raged through Whitechapel and murdered a handful of prostitutes in the autumn of 1888. His plot didn’t succeed, however, and tempers boiled in late October, culminating in their final quarrel on the 30th. Perhaps realizing that his love for Kelly was not completely requited, Barnett murdered her on November 9th with a frenzy only a scorned lover could possess.
Evidence:
Joseph Barnett’s physical description tallies very well with a number of witness descriptions, particularly in height (5’ 7”), age (30), build (medium), complexion (fair) and the presence of a moustache.
His link with Mary Kelly could explain why the killings ceased after her murder.
Ginger beer bottles were found in 13 Miller’s Court by police on November 9th. In the “Dear Boss”letter, the author says that he “saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with…”
The mystery of Kelly’s locked door (it was locked when police arrived, indicating the killer either had a key or reached through the window to lock it after he left the scene) could be explained either by Barnett’s possessing a key or his knowledge of the geography of the room.
FBI”s phycological description matches with:
Barnett was 30 years old, white, and lived within a mile of Whitechapel for his entire life.
Joseph’s father died when he was six.
Barnett was a fish porter, undoubtedly experienced in boning and gutting fish.
Barnett was interviewed for four hours after the Kelly murder. The police seemed satisfied with his testimony and they don’t appear to have suspected him further.
According to one contemporary news report, Barnett repeated the last words spoken to him at the inquest. This could be an indication of echolalia, a speech impediment.
Joseph and Mary’s relationship
Joseph met Mary Jane Kelly on April 8th, 1887, and the two decided soon after to room together at various locations for the next year and a half. By the time of the Ripper murders, they were living in 13 Miller’s Court, Dorset Street. This is the location where Kelly’s mutilated body would be found on November 9th, 1888.
Problems with the theory
First of all, he fits the serial killer profile only superficially. Most of the similarities (such as absent father, being a local, right age) can be attributed to a great deal of men living in the area, and therefore aren’t enough to hang guilt on him (but yet don’t exclude him entirely). He wasn’t known to be violent, nor had a history of criminal behaviour, as is often the case with serial murderers. In fact, by all accounts, he was kind to Mary, visiting her often and giving her money whenever he had some to spare – this even after they were no longer living together as lovers.
why go to such lengths as to mutilate the bodies after they were already dead? Surely simply killing them would have been enough
Now if Barnett had killed Mary in a fit of rage, then where were the signs of that rage?
