
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast — Series 13
Fall River: The Lizzie Borden Acquittal
September 28, 202214mEpisode 1
Show Notes
Fall River echoed with disbelief after Lizzie Borden's acquittal... Season 13 of Foul Play brings us to Fall River, Massachusetts, heart of the infamous Lizzie Borden trial. Tried for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother in August 1892, Lizzie's eventual acquittal sent shockwaves through the nation. Who was Lizzie before acquiring her notorious fame? A dutiful daughter and Sunday school teacher, she was a respected figure in her community, challenging the vicious image painted during the trial.
The case stands as a landmark in legal history, inviting debate about the impacts of gender and class on judicial outcomes. Lizzie's trial questioned societal biases and the perception of women in the criminal justice system.
The trial was a spectacle, drawing public fascination and media circus, with vital evidence debated fervently—like Lizzie’s changing alibis and missing murder weapon. Despite compelling circumstantial evidence, the jury found her not guilty, leaving a nation enthralled and divided.
The case unfolded at a time of rampant social contrasts, where Victorian values faced the dawn of modern America. Such dynamics often influenced how justice was perceived and delivered, painting a complex portrait of guilt and innocence.
Through courtroom accounts and journalistic recordings, this episode navigates the trial’s enduring mysteries, questioning what justice truly meant during Lizzie Borden’s day.
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Credits
Shane Waters — Founder & Host
Wendy Cee — Co-Host
Produced by Myths & Malice