One of the main questions that has stumped the jury, and one of the main arguments of the prosecution is: if Lizzie did not do it, who else?
On the day and time of the first murder (Abby Borden), August 4th, guest John V. Morse was out on the town visiting family, Andrew Borden was at work at his bank, Emma Borden was out of town at Fair Haven, and Bridget Sullivan was cleaning windows on the outside of the house. This leaves Abby Borden and Lizzie Borden alone in the house together. At this time, Lizzie testified that she had been in the kitchen when Abby Borden was murdered upstairs in the guest bedroom. She did not hear a thud of the body falling, or the sounds of a struggle, or the doors opening or closing. The damage done to Abby Borden was multiple strikes to the back of the head, which caused her to fall forward to the ground.
On the day and time of the first murder (Abby Borden), August 4th, guest John V. Morse was out on the town visiting family, Andrew Borden was at work at his bank, Emma Borden was out of town at Fair Haven, and Bridget Sullivan was cleaning windows on the outside of the house. This leaves Abby Borden and Lizzie Borden alone in the house together. At this time, Lizzie testified that she had been in the kitchen when Abby Borden was murdered upstairs in the guest bedroom. She did not hear a thud of the body falling, or the sounds of a struggle, or the doors opening or closing. The damage done to Abby Borden was multiple strikes to the back of the head, which caused her to fall forward to the ground.
After this murder, if it hadn't been Lizzie, the murderer would have either had to hide for about 90 minutes somewhere in the house, or leave the house, and come back unnoticed.
At about 10:30 AM, Andrew Borden came home and decided to take a nap on the couch in the sitting room. As he lay there sleeping, somebody came from behind and attacked him with an ax-like weapon, destroying his whole left side of his face.
At about 10:30 AM, Andrew Borden came home and decided to take a nap on the couch in the sitting room. As he lay there sleeping, somebody came from behind and attacked him with an ax-like weapon, destroying his whole left side of his face.
There was no sign of forced entry, and according to Lizzie and Bridget, the doors were all locked. So unless the murder is also an expert in the art of hiding, and/or breaking and entering, how could this have been the work of anyone other than Lizzie Borden.