The Case of Lizzie BordenBy: Emma Dougherty

Lizzie Borden took an axeAnd gave her mother forty whacks.When she saw what she had doneShe gave her father forty-one……

We’re familiar with this childhood poem, but what really happened?

Let’s start with the victims…

The Crime

• Abby Borden (step-mother)• Andrew Borden (father)

• Both mysteriously –and brutally– murdered

So, what Happened?

• Abby and Andrew were found in their house– but you wouldn’t have known who they were

• Abby had about 18 whacks and Andrew 11 whacks – not quite 81

The Investigation: Lizzie’s Arrest

• So, who would have killed the Borden’s? Well, most people thought Lizzie

• Surrounding the murders, she seemed very suspicious:

• Bad relationship with step-mother• Burning smock in fireplace because

of ‘paint’• Claimed she was inside their shed

Suspects

• Most people put the blame on Lizzie • The other options were pretty much anyone else in Fall

River • Mr. Borden wasn’t well liked in the community.

Now, on to the trial….

The Evidence

• The skulls of Abby & Andrew and the axe found in their shed

• The smock was brought up, but only briefly

Defense & Verdict

• Lizzie was found not guilty due to lack of motive and evidence, even though to this day there are people who still believe she was the one who murdered Andrew and Abby

• Lizzie’s sister (Emma) was a witness and told the jury that she had no motive to kill, and that the rumors of her having issues with her stepmom were false

The Aftermath

• After the trial, Lizzie moved to a large house (called Maplecroft) on top of the hill overlooking Fall River, and started going by ‘Lisbeth’

• She was ostracized by the town, and looked down upon by most of the public eye

• She never married, and had many illnesses leading to her death (from pneumonia)

My Verdict

I agree with the verdict from the jury – not guilty. I think she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. There wasn’t any clear evidence, at least none that would point in the direction of it having been done by Lizzie. Also, the fact that Andrew was pretty much despised adds to the fact that it could have been anyone. Yet another case where the evidence is crucial to the outcome.