America's 'Innocent Axe-Murderer' Lizzie Borden
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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june fifth, eighteen ninety three. We're in New Bedford, Massachusetts, standing in the corner of a crowded courtroom. We've had to jostle our way in. It's loud in here. Men and women are discussing the case with a kind of electric excitement. There's debate. The man behind us waves his hand enthusiastically in the air, as though trying to hammer home his point. His friend shakes his head in disagreement. The jury, two rows of near identical men in three piece suits, their faces dressed with whiskers and moustaches, and their waists glinting with pocket watches, looked grim. And so they should. For the task is not an easy one. They must decide on the guilt or innocence of a young woman in a case so ghastly the details of it make everyone, from factory workers to magistrates in the industrial town where it happened, blush in horror.
Quite suddenly a hush falls in the room. A door swings loudly open, and through it comes the accused herself. She is small and neat, dressed in black and with an elegant pin fastened high at her throat. In her hand she carries a bouquet of fresh flowers. The petals trembling slightly as she steps up to the dock. and to take her place. Over the next few days, this apparently demure, respectable woman will be fighting for her life. The question is
What is the historical background of the Lizzie Borden case?
Did she take those of her closest family away from them?
This is After Dark. I'm Anthony.
And I'm Maddy.
And today we are delving into one of the most notorious cases, as I said at the outset, in American history. It's a locked room mystery, a story of horrible violence, and then at its heart, a seemingly Glamorous, if that's the right word, but strange young woman. It is, of course, the case of Lizzie Borden. You might remember that in June we had an episode about the murder trial of Polly Badine, aka The Witch of New York. And that's a fascinating case, too. And our guest was Alex Hortis, and he told us about Polly's trial and how sensational it was until it was eclipsed by Lizzie Borden. So this is going to be really interesting and go back and listen to that polybedine case if you haven't already heard it because it really is fascinating and it sets up the context for what's about to unfold in the Lizzie Borden case.
So speaking of context, Maddie, set the scene for us, I believe we are in eighteen ninety two, America in eighteen ninety two.
We are indeed. I got really carried away researching this year. Loads happened, but it's now become a bit of a running joke in my household. I got so excited that I started telling my husband about all the things that happened in eighteen ninety-two. But I led with the fact that the first escalator was installed that year in Coney Island, and he laughed at me so much, and now anything that I say is interesting, he says, Was it as interesting as the escalator situation? situation in eighteen ninety two. So
That is also a terrible story. I am with Matt on this. Escalators do not make for the first leader. That you should have picked something else. I mean, the first fingerprint bureau is in my notes. That comes next. That's way better.
I know. It really is. It really is. So I'm sorry to escalate fans out there, but that was quite a boring opening. Um, yeah, so there's so much that changes. You know, we're early on in the final decade of the 19th century. The world is changing hugely. So we do have the first escalators at Coney Island. We've also got Rudolf Diesel patenting his engine.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–2:30
2
What is the historical background of the Lizzie Borden case?
2:30–14:23
3
How did the Borden family’s wealth and social standing shape the story?
14:23–39:09
4
What tensions existed within the Borden household before the murders?
39:09–55:14
5
How did the double murders on August 4 1892 unfold?
55:14–59:50