Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The police had no fucking clue what was going on. They were under immense amounts of pressure to solve the murder of a respected local businessman. And at one point, they had no choice but to zero in on Lizzie, no matter what the evidence was." — Henry Zebrowski
"The papers seldom the old 19th century diagnosis of menstrual hysteria. Apparently, this is true. I got an email from a listener that said that they said it was this idea that you could have many seizures while you were menstruating and that you could black out and that that's also why she robbed the house." — Ben Kissel
"The prosecution had failed to produce any direct evidence against Lizzie Borden, but it's not like the defense was doing a stellar job either for the most part." — Marcus Parks
The episode continues the exploration of the Lizzie Borden case, focusing on the investigation and the subsequent trial. It highlights the difficulties faced by investigators in piecing together the events, including the changing testimonies of Lizzie Borden, potentially influenced by morphine administered by Dr. Seaberry Bowen. The forensic examination of the bodies by Dr. William Dolan is detailed, emphasizing the gruesome procedures and the limited information they provided due to the state of decomposition and the era's understanding of forensics. The transcript points out numerous inconsistencies and questionable practices by the police, including the handling of potential evidence like the hatchet and the burning of a dress by Lizzie Borden, which, while suspicious, was later explained as being stained with green paint.
The trial itself is presented as a significant event, where the prosecution, led by District Attorney Hosea Nolton, struggled to present concrete evidence. Instead, they relied on Lizzie's inconsistent statements, alleged motive of inheritance, and circumstantial evidence. The defense team, assembled by Lizzie's family lawyer, was formidable, featuring prominent legal figures of the time. A key challenge for the prosecution was the lack of direct evidence, leading them to lean on psychological profiles and societal assumptions about women, particularly the discredited notion of "menstrual hysteria," to build their case.
Ultimately, Lizzie Borden was acquitted. The episode stresses that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense successfully exploited the weaknesses in the case. Despite the acquittal, the public fascination and suspicion surrounding Lizzie Borden persisted for the rest of her life. The episode concludes by acknowledging the lingering questions about the true perpetrator and the impact of the case on historical perceptions of crime and justice.