Скачать с ютуб Despite her acquittal, Lizzie remained a pariah in Fall River. в хорошем качестве

Despite her acquittal, Lizzie remained a pariah in Fall River.

The Life and Infamy of Lizzie Borden Early Life and Background Lizzie Andrew Borden was born on July 19, 1860, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Sarah Anthony Morse Borden and Andrew Jackson Borden. Her early life was marked by a degree of privilege due to her father's successful business ventures in manufacturing and real estate, despite his frugality. Lizzie had an older sister, Emma, and the Borden family lived comfortably, although not lavishly, in a respectable neighborhood. Lizzie's mother, Sarah, died when she was just a young girl, and Andrew remarried three years later to Abby Durfee Gray. The relationship between Lizzie and her stepmother was strained; Lizzie often referred to Abby as "Mrs. Borden" rather than using a more affectionate term. This tension would later be scrutinized during the murder investigation. The Borden Household Andrew Borden was a prominent figure in the community, known for his wealth and austere lifestyle. He was a shrewd businessman, serving as the president of the Union Savings Bank and a director of the Durfee Safe Deposit and Trust Co. Despite his wealth, Andrew was notoriously frugal, which led to a modest lifestyle for the family. This frugality extended to the household, where even basic amenities like indoor plumbing were lacking in a time when they were becoming more common. The Borden household was also a complex social environment. In addition to the strained relationship between Lizzie and her stepmother, there were ongoing disputes over property and inheritance. Andrew's decision to transfer a property to Abby's family further fueled the animosity between Lizzie and Abby. The household's atmosphere was often described as cold and tense, a detail that would gain significant attention during the subsequent murder trial. The Murders On the morning of August 4, 1892, the Borden household was shattered by a brutal and grisly crime. Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered in their home, both having suffered multiple blows from a sharp instrument, presumed to be an axe. Abby was discovered first, lying face down in the guest bedroom, her skull crushed from the blows. Andrew was found later, slumped on the sofa in the sitting room, similarly mutilated. Lizzie's behavior on the day of the murders raised immediate suspicions. She claimed to have been in the barn at the time of the attacks, searching for fishing sinkers. Her inconsistent statements and calm demeanor in the face of such horror were noted by investigators and the public alike. Additionally, Bridget Sullivan, the family’s maid who was present in the house, reported hearing Lizzie laughing upstairs shortly before discovering her father's body. The absence of an apparent intruder and Lizzie's contradictory accounts of her whereabouts made her the prime suspect. The Arrest and Trial Lizzie was arrested on August 11, 1892, a week after the murders. The trial, held in New Bedford, Massachusetts, began in June 1893 and attracted national attention. It was a sensational affair, with the courtroom packed with spectators and journalists eager to report every detail. The case was largely circumstantial, as there were no eyewitnesses and no physical evidence directly linking Lizzie to the murders. The prosecution presented several key pieces of evidence. A prominent point was Lizzie’s attempt to purchase prussic acid, a deadly poison, on the day before the murders, which she claimed was to clean a sealskin cape. This was seen as an indication of premeditation. Furthermore, the alleged burning of a dress by Lizzie after the murders was argued to be an attempt to destroy bloodstained evidence. The police found a handleless hatchet in the basement, which they believed to be the murder weapon, although it could not be conclusively linked to the crime. Lizzie's defense, led by former Massachusetts governor George D. Robinson, focused on the lack of direct evidence. Robinson emphasized Lizzie's respectable character and the improbability of her committing such a gruesome act. The defense also highlighted the fact that no blood was found on Lizzie or her clothing, a significant point given the nature of the murders. Acquittal and Aftermath On June 20, 1893, after just over an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The acquittal was met with mixed reactions. Some saw it as a just outcome given the lack of conclusive evidence, while others believed Lizzie had escaped justice due to her social standing and gender. Despite her acquittal, Lizzie remained a pariah in Fall River. She and her sister Emma inherited a substantial sum from their father’s estate, allowing them to purchase a large house in the affluent area of The Hill, which Lizzie named "Maplecroft." However, the stigma of the murders followed her for the rest of her life. Lizzie, who later went by the name Lizbeth, was ostracized by the community and lived a relatively reclusive life.