Lizzie Borden

Nobody ever really knew for sure who killed Andrew and Abby Borden. Lizzie was the only person charged with the crime. After her arrest, Lizzie was put in jail.

Why Lizzie? What was the evidence against her?

• She was home at the time. Her sister, Emma, was not. (Follow the link to the Borden's street. Their house is the second one on the left.)


• Bridget ("Maggie") Sullivan, , the maid, was home but working on household chores. The police questioned her but believed she had nothing to do with the crimes.


• Lizzie's testimony at the inquest was more than a little suspicious.


• Andrew had recently given property to Abby's family. Lizzie thought she and Emma should have been given equally valuable property. In other words, a likely motive was greed and money.

Lizzie did not testify at her trial. She did testify, at length, at the inquest. Let's examine Lizzie's own words about events on that murderous summer day.