The Times (London).
13 April 1892
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
April 12.
A respectable man, whose name is known, but is not made public, has made a statement here which, in view of the recent revelations connected with the Deeming trial in Melbourne, has attracted a good deal of attention. He says that in the spring of 1882 he made the acquaintance in Halifax of a man named Jacobs, who professed to be engaged in mining speculations, and spoke of having been in Australia and the Cape Colony. As the acquaintance grew more intimate, Jacobs became confidential, and showed his friend a letter which he received from Kate Eddowes, whom he described as a fast woman of London. The letter was for the most part of a friendly character, but it made complaint of the treatment which the writer had received at the hands of Jacobs. (Catherine Eddowes was the name of the woman who was found murdered on September 30, 1888, in Mitre square, Aldgate.) Jacobs also talked freely of a girl named Kelly, whom he boasted of having enticed away from her home in Wales. (Mary Jane Kelly was the name of another of the Whitechapel victims.) On being asked what would ultimately become of these unfortunate girls whom he had betrayed, Jacobs said they would all end up Whitechapel way. From one cause and another, particularly in view of the Australian and African travels of this man, it was concluded that Jacobs must be no other than Deeming. The informant, however, has been shown the portrait of the latter in one of the London illustrated papers, and he does not recognize a likeness between the prisoner at Melbourne and his acquaintance of former days, Jacobs. Moreover, it appears doubtful whether Deeming was in Canada in 1882.
Reuter.
Melbourne, April 12.
It is expected that the trial of Deeming, alias Williams, will begin here on the 25th inst. It is not considered probable that the application of the defence for an adjournment in order to permit of witnesses being brought from England will be granted.
Deeming has been very orderly and industrious today. He is still occupied in replying to the written inquiries of his solicitor.
The doctor whom Mr. Lyle engaged in connexion with the defence has withdrawn from the case. He states that he has not taken this step owing to any lack of evidence, but in consequence of what he considers the impossibility of obtaining a fair hearing in a community which is already prejudiced against the accused. He declares that Deeming belongs to the order of instinctive criminals, and is as much wanting in the moral sense as a blind man is in the sense of sight, since killing is as much a part of his nature as eating. His head measurement is six and a quarter, which is exceedingly small in comparison with his height. Deeming's whole character is one of extreme stupidity, and the jokes he makes are coarse and pointless. His escape hitherto, the doctor considers, has been due less to cunning than to accident.
