The Lizzie Borden "Axe Murder" Trail

 

So the book The Lizzie Borden "Axe Murder" Trails  is about a young lady by the name of Lizzie Borden who in 1892 alerted the maid, Bridget, to her father's dead body. He had been attacked and killed while sleeping on the sofa. A search of the home led to the discovery of the body of Abby Borden in an upstairs bedroom. Like her husband, Abby Borden was the victim of a brutal hatchet attack. Upon questioning, Lizzie could not keep her story exact of where she was during the time the crime happened and so she became a suspect for the crimes. Policemen called to the scene suspected Lizzie immediately, although she was not taken into custody at that time. Her sister, Emma, was out of town at the time and was never a suspect.

 During the week between the murders and her arrest, Lizzie burned a dress that she claimed was stained with paint. Questioning of other people soon lead to the finding of Lizzie's hate for her stepmother. She was envious of her stepmother because her dad had bought her a house, leading Lizzie to feel as if her father had chosen her stepmother over his own daughters. Lizzie was suspected of the crimes but hard evidence wasn't found to convict her. However, upon a deeper investigation they had found she had tried to purchase poison a few days before the crime; However, after a family dinner before the crime members of the family complained of feeling ill as if they were poisoned. Further inspection of the house led to the findings of hatchets and axes in the basement and one which was broken.

     With the inconclusive answers to where Lizzie was during the crime, the purchase of poison, and her hate for her stepmother Lizzie was the top suspect for the crimes and was put on trial. Lizzie Borden was indicted on December 2, 1892. Her widely publicized trial began the following June in New Bedford. Borden did not take the stand in her own defense and her inquest testimony was not admitted into evidence. The testimony provided by others proved inconclusive. On June 20, 1893, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders. No one else was ever charged with the crimes. Lizzie and Emma Borden inherited a significant portion of their father's estate, which allowed them to purchase a new home together. The Borden sisters lived together for the following decade. Although free, Lizzie was considered guilty by many of her neighbors, and thusly never enjoyed acceptance in the community following her trial. Her reputation was further tarnished when she was accused of shoplifting in 1897.