You’ve probably heard about the story of Lizzie Borden, the ax murder. On August 4th 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden, Lizzie’s father and stepmother, were found murdered. At home Emma Borden, Lizzie’s sister we’re not close with their stepmother, Abby. They referred to her as Mrs. Borden. The distance stemmed from the idea that their stepmother’s family wished to get a hold of their father’s money. The bodies of Abby and Andrew Borden were mutilated. Lizzie alerted the maid when she found her father’s body. Abby’s body was in a bedroom, while her father’s was on a couch. Police were suspicious of Lizzie at the scene. Her sister Emma was out of town at the time, so she was not considered a suspect.

On December 2, 1892 Lizzie was indicted. According to a biography “Lizzie burned a dress she claimed was stained with paint. Prosecutors would later allege that the dress was stained with blood, and that Lizzie had burned the dress in order to cover up her crime.” (biography.com) The handling of the case, however, provided no forensic evidence and she was acquitted. The scene was not cordoned off, and there were different people coming in and out. The search of the house, which was also the crime scene, went on for days. This would’ve allowed time to destroy any type of evidence. Clothes that Abby and Andrew were wearing were buried in the backyard the day after.

Police believed Lizzie bought Prussic acid poison. Abby told her doctor she felt that she was poisoned, which was a day before the murders. Lizzie’s inquest testimony was not allowed in court, because she had no attorney present and was not read her rights. No other person was said to be a suspect in this case. Although she was released from charges, she was a prisoner to society, because many believed she had gotten away with murder.