The Case Of The Barefoot Boys, Robert F. Clifton [read book TXT] 📗

to Basham's left.

“No. I received a bit of German steel in the hip at a place called the Somme in 1916.”

“Speaking of the Germans it has been said that you worked with British Intelligence during the last war. Can you tell us about that?”asked someone in the rear of the classroom.

“No, because that never happened. Actually I taught a class of criminology to the Royal Military Police. Now then, what is happening here is that some of you are getting away from the reason we are present. This class is not about Alistair Basham. But rather about criminology. Now, if you will allow me to get back on track as they say. Your assignment is to be able to differentiate between a serial killer and other killers. That's all. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow.”

The next day Basham listened to the members of the class

as each student either read from a composition or gave their recitation of the assignment. When the last student was finished Alistair stood silently for a few moments then said, “Interesting. Very Interesting. However, none of you have presented me with what I am actually looking for. Please remember this course is, Criminology. At the same time in separating serial killers and other murderers one should be looking at Criminology And The Mental State. Allow me to emphasize the mental state. In dealing with first, the serial killer, let us first examine the mental state of this type of criminal. I suggest that you take notes. Basically, a serial killer is defined as one that kills three or more people in a period over a month. Personally, I disagree with this definition, but for the benefit of the doubt let's go with the statement of other criminologist and/or physiologist’s and psychiatrist’s. To continue. For it to be a serial killer the murders must be separate events, which are most often driven by physiological thrill or pleasure. The serial killer has no remorse, no guilt and is many times labeled as a psychopath. At the same time they hide behind a mask of sanity to hide their true tendencies and appear normal, even at times as the pillar of society. Where the experts tell us that the serial murderer kills more than two persons in just over a month, my theory is that this is not always the case. There are many cases on file indicating that the suspect when finally caught had intervals of time when he was inactive, sometimes a much as a year. Why? Several things could be responsible. Incarceration, sickness, fear of being caught and what I like to believe, periods of sanity.

The other type of killers are usually in a state of anger, greed, fear, and sometimes curiosity. When I mention curiosity there are those who kill believing that they can commit the act and get away with it. They believe that they will not be apprehended due to the fact that they consider themselves to be more intelligent then law enforcement and society as a whole. Unfortunately sometimes they are. There are many, many unsolved murders all over the world. I dare to say that there are at least a few who's intellect allows them to escape from justice.

What I am presenting to you is this. The mental state of the criminal should first be examined if and when there is an apprehension. Why? Because, the court, the court being the judge, the prosecutor, the defense attorney and if there is one, the jury will all be presented with the purpose of understanding the mental state of the criminal at the time of the criminal act.

An example would be that, let's say in a trial of a killer the prosecutor, representing the state, or if you will, the people, will attempt to show that the perpetrator acted with malice. That the killer knew what he was doing when he or she committed the crime. He will also offer the fact that the crime was well planned such as the method used to kill the victim etc.

On the other hand the defense will attempt to prove that his client was not in a normal frame of mind when the crime occurred. Often the defense uses mental illness as evidence rendering the client as not responsible due to a the inability to know right from wrong. And, while this is being played in the courtroom the judge must consider the evidence. What may be introduced into the trail and what may not be presented.

Usually, experts are called, psychiatrist’s give their testimony as experts then finally the jury is presented with all of the evidence including the necessary duty of determining the mental state of the criminal before rendering a verdict. I'll stop now and answer any questions.”

“I have a question Professor. How would you characterize

the mental state of Jack The Ripper?”, asked a male student.

“And you are?”, asked Basham.

“Harry DeNato”.

“Well Mr. DeNato, I must say that you chose an excellent example of a criminal in a mental state. First, he fits the profile of a serial killer in that there were several killings in a short span of time. What is often overlooked is that there were other prostitutes killed in the same manner before those in White chapel. There was also a lengthy period of time between the killings outside of White chapel and then in that part of London. Why? I like to think of the incarceration of the killer between acts. Incarceration can be considered admission to a mental hospital. So, to answer your question Jack The Ripper was a psychopath. He had a desire to kill and kill again. I would say that in reality he hated women and in particular, female prostitutes.”

“Since you are English and those crimes happened in London, do you personally have an idea who Jack The Ripper was?”, asked DeNato.

“Of course. Everyone who has read about the case has developed their own opinion of who the killer was.”

“Who do you suspect?”, asked someone in the rear of the classroom.

“Years ago I narrowed it down to two men. The first is Aaron Kosminski, also known as, “Leather Apron”. I must admit that I view him as a suspect because Inspector Frederick Abberline , the lead investigator in the case thought he was the killer. I probably look at Kosminski because of my admiration of Abberdine. He was a great detective. My other suspect, and one that I must confess to being the one I feel is responsible for the murders is, Sewergyn Antoniowicz Klosowski, also known as George Chapman. Let me point out two things. Both men resembled each other, they were both Poles and were both Jews.

Kosminski or Leather Apron, was a boot maker and leather worker, a craft that necessitated the use of a sharp knife. Klosowski or Chapman was a barber. What most people are unaware of is that Klosowski was first apprenticed to a surgeon in a town near Warsaw. Later, he took a course in practicable surgery, again in Poland. In England he worked as a nurse. The victims were mutilated. In one case the kidney was removed. This led to the speculation that the suspect was either a doctor or familiar with medical procedure. Chapman fits that profile. He was also in and out of insane asylums where he eventually died.”

“Do you think that someday the case will be solved and Jack The Ripper finally identified?”, asked someone.

“Yes, I do, but not necessarily in my life time. Science is moving so rapidly that eventually someone will re-examine the evidence, which is still available by the way and find the answer everyone has been looking for, the identity of good, old Jack.”

“Would you say that the Ripper case is England's most,

infamous crime?” asked a young woman.

“Yes, but no more than the infamous killer John Wilkes Booth here in America. Actually, when it comes to serial killers in the United States I am reminded of the man known as H. H. Holmes. It is said, but not affirmed that he murdered more than twenty seven people. Reason? He sold body parts and human skeletons to medical supply stores and medical schools. Also he insured his victims before killing them, then collected on the policies. It seems he had a fascination with death, and dissecting bodies. I would classify Holmes as a psychopath but also one who murdered for profit, or greed, if you will.

Now, I see by the time that this class is over. I suggest you research and read about H.H. Holmes. Hope to see all of you tomorrow.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

Atlantic City

 

At nine thirty on the morning of Saturday, June 24, 1950 after having breakfast in the university cafeteria, Alistair Basham sat in the front, passenger seat of a dark, green, Ford sedan. Joyce Hampton was driving and after leaving the campus made her way from Princeton to Route 206, a road that led to Atlantic City. As she drove she noticed that Basham appeared to be somewhat apprehensive. “Is there something wrong?”, she asked.

“Not really. I just can't get use to automobiles moving on the right hand side of the road rather than the left,” he replied.

“It takes a bit of getting use to it. At first, I thought I'd never be able to drive here in America. Now, I wonder how it will be when I get back home in Nottingham.”

“And, just when will that be?”, asked Alistair.

“I really can't say. I actually want to go to the mountains around Siberia. There, I hope to find what I and everyone else is looking for, the missing link in the transformation of man. However, the university has offered me a position on a dig that's planned for California. That research deals with the

Paleo-Indians of North America.”

“I say, wouldn't you be happier being where you really wanted to be and doing what you really want to do?”

“Yes of course. At the same time the position with the university assures me of at least, two years salary. Siberia means finding a sponsor for the research and dig.”

“It's none of my business of course, but I shouldn't think it wise to be a Brit in Communist Russia during these times.”

“ Perhaps your right.”

 

“ Not to change the subject, but I wasn't aware that there was so much farming in New Jersey,” said Basham.

“Yes, most of it is done here in the Southern part of the state. Actually, New Jersey is called, “The Garden State.”

“Really? The parts I came through seemed overcrowded, lacked vegetation and reeked with foul smelling industrial waste”, Alistair replied.

“The two parts of the state are as different as night and day”, Joan replied.

“So I see. What are those rows of bushes or small trees?”, he asked.

“Blueberry bushes. This area is supposedly the blueberry capitol of the world.”

Later as Doctor Hampton drove across route 30 and the marshland separating the mainland and Absecon Island Alistair asked. “What is that bloody, awful smell?”

“Mostly sulfur caused by rotting vegetation in the mud. It happens when the tides are low.”

As they entered the city Joyce saw a large sign, “Virginia

Ave.” “Do you want to go directly to Virginia Ave. or some other street?”

“Since I have no knowledge of this place I'll let you decide. Nonetheless, at sometime I want to see the one hundred block of south, Virginia Street”, said Basham.

“Virginia Avenue”.

“I stand corrected.”

“Well, since we are here we'll start at Virginia Avenue.”

“Jolly good.”

When they reached Atlantic Avenue they stopped for a red traffic light. “I seem to recall the ocean is straight ahead. Notice the traffic Alistair. It's the weekend in the summer. I'll keep going ahead looking for a car park. Look at the numbers on the buildings. That way, we'll know the one hundred block.”

“Yes, providing we're going south.”

When Joyce began driving again she crossed Atlantic Avenue and noticing the trolley tracks in the street and followed them.

“This is the one hundred block. The building I just saw had the numbers, one zero seven,” said Alistair.

“I can't