Lizzie Borden Case

The trial of Lizzie Borden is a very controversial topic and many believe the case verdict should have been ruled otherwise. The murder of Abby and Andrew Borden by multiple ax whacks to the head caused many to believe that Lizzie Borden, the daughter of Andrew Borden, did it. The case ruled ‘Not Guilty” on June 20, 1893. Based on research and evidence, I believe that Lizzie Borden was guilty because of her claimed whereabouts, the ironic poisoning coincidence, and the burning of a dress, which is the opposite of the actual court ruling in 1893.
Lizzie Borden and the maid, Bridget Sullivan were the only ones home at the time of the murder of Abby Borden. Bridget was outside washing windows and Lizzie claimed to be downstairs. It’s strange that “she heard no alarming noises”. (Source J) In addition to that, there was no sign of forced entry. If an intruder committed the murders, they would have “had to hide in the house for 90 minutes or departed and then returned without being seen” (Source J) because the 2 murders happened over an hour apart. This would be nearly impossible if Lizzie was downstairs at the time of her stepmother’s murder. At the time of her father’s murder, she claimed to be in the loft of the backyard barn, searching for sinkers for a fishing trip for 15-20 minutes. The police said the loft was very hot and the “also found no footprints”(Source J) which contradicts Lizzie’s statement of where she was at the time of the murder of her father.
2 days prior to the murders, on August 2, 1892, “Abby and Andrew Borden awaken, complaining of stomach sickness”. (Source I) Abby believes that she may have been poisoned but Dr. Bowen is skeptical, as many would be. Although this doesn’t seem like much evidence, the next day, Lizzie unsuccessfully attempted to buy poison from a drug store and then proceeded to tell Alice Russell, a family friend, that she “fears poisoning”. (Source I) It is hard to believe that it is a coincidence that she tried to buy poison the day after her parents believe they were poisoned and then told Alice Russell that she fears poisoning. It does not seem plausible and is quite ironic. The series of events doesn’t seem likely and her parents were murdered the very next day after her statement to Alice.
Alice Russell was also a witness of another important piece of evidence. “Russell told grand jurors that she had witnessed Lizzie Borden burning a blue dress in a kitchen fire”. (Source M) Lizzie claimed that the dress was covered with old paint. If this were the case, then why wouldn’t she have thrown it away rather than burning it in a fire? Lizzie Borden was also wearing a blue dress on the day of her parent’s homicide. She would not have been wearing the dress if it were stained with paint nor was she around paint throughout the day. The dress was stained with blood and Lizzie was burning the evidence.
The murder of Abby and Andrew Borden was not by an intruder but was committed by their own daughter. Lizzie Borden is guilty of brutally killing her parents by multiple ax whacks to their skulls. Her claimed whereabouts, the poisoning incident and the burning of the dress is enough for me to prove Lizzie Borden guilty of this crime.