The True Tale of Lizzie Borden - Part 2: The Trial of the Century

Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

Esther Ludlow

True Crime, Crime, Truecrime, Criminology, History, Criminals

4.6 • 5K Ratings

🗓️ 7 April 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In Part 2 of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden, we step into the courtroom for one of America’s earliest media frenzies—the infamous trial of Lizzie Borden.

After the shocking 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, suspicion turned toward Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie. The brutal nature of the crime and the unexpected suspect captivated the nation. In Part 1, we explored the tense dynamics within the Borden household and followed the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest.

Now, in this episode, we dive into the high-profile trial that gripped the country. Reporters packed the courthouse, headlines blared every development, and the public couldn’t get enough. And at the center of it all stood Lizzie Borden—facing a charge of capital murder and fighting for her life.

Join me as we unpack the courtroom drama, the legal strategies, and the surprising twists in one of the most sensational murder trials in American history.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

Inside the packed courtroom during Lizzie Borden’s murder trial
How the press and public helped shape the case
The prosecution’s case against Lizzie
Key testimony and courtroom drama

Catch Up:

Missed Part 1? Be sure to listen to the previous episode to hear about the Borden family, the murders, and the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest.

Sources:

The Trial of Lizzie Borden, Cara Robertson, Simon & Schuster, 2019

https://www.grunge.com/69553/untold-truth-lizzie-borden/

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2013/08/02/timeline-lives-lizzie-emma-abby/38186480007/

https://famous-trials.com/lizzieborden/1449-bowentestimony

https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/lizzie-borden-trial-1893

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	This podcast details true crime cases. It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.
0:07.4	It is not intended for children. Listener discretion is advised.
0:18.7	Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.
0:22.7	This is part two of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden.
0:26.5	After Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were hacked to death in their home in 1892,
0:32.1	the story of their murder became a media sensation,
0:35.5	especially when Andrew Borden's 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie, was accused of the brutal crime.
0:41.5	In part one, I detailed the Borden family, their place in Fall River Society, and the escalating tension in the home between Lizzie, her stepmother Abby, and her father Andrew.
0:52.7	We heard the details of the crime and the investigation,
0:56.3	culminating in Lizzie's arrest.
0:59.0	Lizzie Borden's double murder trial would become one of the first
1:02.0	trials of the century in the US.
1:05.0	Reporters thronged to gain a seat for each day of the trial,
1:08.2	and updates were splashed across newspaper headlines daily.
1:11.7	Curious spectators fought for a seat in the gallery, hoping to hear that day's proceedings
1:16.1	and catch a glimpse of the accused murderess.
1:19.4	In this episode, I'll take you inside that courtroom for all the drama, as Lizzie Borden
1:24.9	tried for capital murderer, attempts to escape the hangman's noose.
1:29.5	Make sure you're subscribed to Once Upon a Crime on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.
1:35.6	Here is part two of The True Tale of Lizzie Borton.
1:43.6	Music The gruesome acts murders of Andrew and Abby Borden
2:03.8	were so shocking that Fall River citizens began to speculate
	...

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