The Lizzie Borden "Axe Murder" Trial (Headline Court Cases)
by Joan Axelrod-Contrada
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Book Summary Information
Author: Joan Axelrod-ContradaEdition: Library Binding
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-08
ISBN: 0766014223
Number of pages: 104
Publisher: Enslow Publishers
Book Reviews of The Lizzie Borden "Axe Murder" Trial (Headline Court Cases)
Book Review: An Introduction to the Borden Mystery
Summary: 4 Stars
The Lizzie Borden "Axe Murder" Trial, by Joan Axelrod-Contrada
Much has been written about Lizzie so different sources can be contradictory. Joan Axelrod-Contrada used a variety of sources to present this good condensed history of the murders and trial (p.6). If you know something about this case you will note errors of omission, justified by the 98 pages of this book. There is a `Chronology', `Chapter Notes', `Glossary', `Further Reading', and `Index'. This book does not recommend David Kent's "Forty Whacks" as the one best book on this case, or mention that Arnold Brown's "Lizzie Borden ... the Final Chapter" provided the best solution to the mystery (once you read the other books).
Chapter 1 tells about the crime. Chapter 2 provides background information about the 1890s (but not that this was the worst depression of the 19th century). Chapter 3 says there was no solid proof that Lizzie was the murderer (p.30). Some said Lizzie was innocent, others guilty (p.32). [None had proof of guilt.] Chapter 4 presents the Case Against Lizzie Borden. Lizzie's inquest testimony was excluded because of the Fifth Amendment (not called the Miranda decision). Were the judges biased (p.60)? Chapter 5 has Lizzie's defense. Defense Attorney George Robinson discredited the witnesses for the prosecution (p.65). Defense witnesses confirmed Lizzie's story (p.72). Lizzie did not have exclusive opportunity (p.78). Judge Dewey spoke to the jury (Chapter 6), it was favorable to Lizzie (p.80). The jury quickly voted `not guilty' (p.81). Later public opinion turned against Lizzie (p.84). [In past years the local newspaper commemorated the August 4 murders by mentioning that Lizzie was found guiltless.] Prosecutor Knowlton became Attorney-General, defense attorney Andrew Jennings became District Attorney. [No comment needed?] The author skimps on the details of Emma's last years (p.92).
Why is there a continuous fascination with this case (Chapter 7)? It seems to appeal to people with a literary bent (Edmund Pearson) and to people in general (true crime, unsolved mysteries on TV). There has never been a Hollywood movie on this case. Lizzie couldn't have done it, but there were no other known suspects. Today they would consider an Unknown Subject, a hidden murderer. Murder of parents by children is extremely rare, unlike the reverse. The social class of the family made violent murder rare. Newspaper reporter Edward Radin read the trial transcript, visited Fall River to talk to people alive then, and found Lizzie innocent (p.95). Mock trials continue to find Lizzie innocent on the basis of the testimony in the trial transcript (p.103). Fall River was an important textile manufacturing city from the Civil War until 1927 when the factories failed due to the Great Depression.
The `Chapter Notes' reference the many books written since Lizzie died in 1927. "The Trial of Lizzie Borden" by Edmond Pearson said guilty. "Lizzie Borden: The Untold Story" by newspaper reporter Edward Radin suggested Bridget could have been guilty (servants murdering masters). "Goodbye Lizzie Borden" by Judge Robert Sullivan said guilty. "Lizzie" by Frank Spiering suggested Emma did it! "Forty Whacks" by Robert Kent provided an unbiased history without any judgement. "Lizzie Borden: The Legend, the Truth, the Final Chapter" by Arnold Brown provided the best solution to the crime (a relative who was kept secret). In the 1950s Agnes DeMille wrote a book about her visit to Fall River. She quoted two daughters of a physician from that time: "there was a secret that was never revealed".
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