Andrew Borden found slumped on the sitting room sofa, struck ~10 times while sleeping. Lizzie alerts Bridget Sullivan: "Come down quick! Father's dead; somebody came in and killed him."
Witness Alibi Verification
Washing exterior parlor windows from 9:30 to 10:30 AM; resting in her 3rd floor attic bedroom when Lizzie called up for help at 11:10 AM.
Lizzie claimed she spent 20 minutes in the barn loft eating pears and seeking lead sinkers for fishing in 100°F heat; police found no footprints in the thick dust.
Found in cellar ash pile with fresh break on handle covered in coal dust; prosecution argued handle was snapped off to conceal bloodstains.
Burned in kitchen stove by Lizzie on August 7 in presence of Alice Russell, claiming it was covered in brown paint stains.
Druggist Eli Bence testified Lizzie attempted to purchase 10¢ of lethal prussic acid on Aug 3 to clean sealskin coat. Excluded as too remote & prejudicial.
Given under influence of morphine without counsel while effectively in custody; excluded under 5th Amendment and Mass. Declaration of Rights.
1893 Trial Theory Weight
District Attorney Hosea Knowlton (Circumstantial Case) vs. Governor George Robinson (Reasonable Doubt).
Current Status: With 2 critical exclusions upheld, Defense carries decisive advantage → Led to June 20, 1893 "NOT GUILTY" verdict.
Accused of murdering father Andrew and stepmother Abby. Acquitted after 1.5 hours of jury deliberation. Inherited Maplecroft estate.
Lead District Attorney who constructed the circumstantial timeline arguing no intruder could have entered past locked screen doors.
Away in Fairhaven during the murders. Stood faithfully by Lizzie through the trial before an unexplained 1905 permanent estrangement.