Uncommon Poetry
On New Year’s Eve last, at the Longacre Tavern in Bath, Somserset, UK, a few patrons with a strong disagreement took their argument outside. The ensuing fight left one man knifed to death, and no official witnesses to the slaying.
Enter mystery poet:
A mysterious poet who left an emotional verse near the site where a father-of-two was murdered may know the identity of the killer. Detectives investigating the murder of Paul Kelly, 32, have been trying to trace the author of the poem, which has appeared by the dozen on lamp posts and bus shelters near the scene of the murder in Somerset over the past week, naming the alleged attacker and giving other possibly vital clues. [snip-clip]
According to the poem, several people witnessed the attack but are afraid to come forward because they have been threatened by the killer. As well as naming the alleged killer, the poem, entitled, Running From Paul Kelly, suggests the murder weapon was disposed of in the river Avon. Detectives have since recovered a knife from the river and are carrying out forensic tests.
As we’ve said before here at Excellent Fodder, sometimes civic duty is performed in strange ways.
Detectives are investigating the person named in the mystery poem, an excerpt of which is in the article.
Photo from BBC News: Gabriel Byrne in Eugene O’Neill’s “A Touch of the Poet”.
Bath Fun Facts: “The city of Bath, in North East Somerset, England, is famous for its hot springs and spa water, for its Roman history and its Georgian architecture. It is a World Heritage Site. Bath is also one of the best shopping centres in the south west of England. King Bladud, the father of King Lear, was crowned in Bath, and Jane Austen lived in Bath and set two of her novels in the city.”
JANE AUSTEN CENTRE:
40 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT. Tel 01225 443000. Website Email
Open daily all year 10am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am-5.30pm Sunday.
“Jane Austen lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and set two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, in the city. This museum explores Bath in Jane Austen’s time and the importance of Bath in her writing and in her life. Gift shop.”
Poetry Fun Fact: Here in the United States, April is National Poetry Month.
Update: Visit True Crime Blog UK for more on the murder of Paul Kelly. Their March 26 posting has important links and further comments on the case.
April 8, 2007 at 10:26 am
It never occurred to me that “Bath” would actually be a place where people took baths and that Roman history lies beneath an area that later spawned Victorians. But I was also surprised that “Mounds” Oklahoma was named for the giant mounds that used to be prolific in the mid-west and south, constructed by various Indians–later plowed down by farmers.
April 10, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I learned about the history of Bath while doing genealogy research, as I have a number of ancestral lines going back to Somserset. The Jane Austen tie-in was intriguing. I’ll have to go to the library and look for those two novels.
The mystery poet story is unique. I’ve added it to my collection of news articles to include with my genealogy files. The poet, or even the victim, could be a distant relative of mine for all I know.
April 16, 2007 at 2:31 am
bath is home to a lot more than spa’s & poetry.the visit’s i have had to make were not of the sight seeing kind.it was my nephew paul murdered there by some mindless thugish lout who did for a kick to make himself famous.& he has the balls to write a rap about murdering paul, he avoid’s arrest because the coward’s of bath wont tell who did it,so this arrogant thug walk’s free to commit murder again. & the people of bath let him go,next time it may be one of their family,will they turn him then?????????????what will it take to make these mindless idiot’s see sense.
April 24, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Like Ann my visits to Bath recently have been because of Paul’s death not sight seeing. I loved Paul and cared about him long after we stopped dating, in fact we kept in touch despite our distance. I understand Paul’s Aunt being so angry about witnesses not coming forward. It is frustrating. His family need to know what happened. Many members of his family had not been in touch with Paul for a long time and this will be adding to their distress. Guilt is not something unique to the killer.
I think Paul would have understood the killer better than anyone. He would also have had empathy for the witnesses who are not coming forward. However, Paul learned that the only way to live happily is to confront yourself and deal with what you have done. I feel he would tell the witnesses and killer to stop running scared for their own sakes. Living with staying quiet is far worse than working through the fear that will affect every area of life if this matter is not finished. The justice system is not the enemy here. Vigilante reprisals are not the way. Paul has two children who need to know what happened to their father. Everyone concerned needs justice. The only way the killer will find this justice is to hand himself in. Trying to scare people into silence is only effective for so long. Murder enquiries never end, one day the police will have enough to convict.
April 26, 2007 at 11:51 am
Thank you, Joy, for your comments. I completely agree that vigilante reprisals are not the solution.
Ann, I am sorry for your loss, and cannot imagine the horror of knowing the killer is walking around.
My sightseeing “fun facts” were not intended to be disrespectful. As I said above, I stumbled onto the story of Paul’s murder quite accidentally. My thoughts will be with both of you, and all involved in this nightmare, until it is resolved legally.
May 3, 2007 at 4:21 am
we know your comment’s were not meant to harm,it’s just that everytime we hear about bath it’s all so wonderful and great.yes it is a lovely place,and it’s because of what’s happened to us that,has marred our view.we feel that these individuals that are shielding paul’s murderer are letting their town down.they know who did it .everyone know who he is,why i dont understand why they wont turn him in.joy thank you for being a friend to paul,you are the kind of friend he needs,honest and reliable.paul was a lost soul looking for his way home,he came home, home to rest .but he wont rest in peace until justice is done.and then we will go back to bath and celebrate pauls life,and i hope you will join us.
June 27, 2007 at 9:44 am
20/06/2007,two have been charged with the murder of paul kelly,at last .
karl eastwood 20yrs ,one 17yrs male cannot give name for legal raesons.justice begins
June 28, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I am relieved on your behalf. My best wishes to you, Ann.
November 15, 2007 at 9:22 am
he who cannot be named for legal reasons,got bail.call this justice,NO WAY.so he can spend xmas new year and his birthday with his family ,what about the life he took what about the family he ruined what about them when will they get their son back NEVER.because of his actions ,our family are serving a life sentence so why should he be allowedb time to spend with his family .is that punishment NO he has freedom to kill again,now they have given him the ok signal nothing will stop him.justice its a farce.