Post by cruororism on Oct 10, 2003 9:44:22 GMT
Lizzie Borden was the O.J. Simpson of her day.
A woman and a man were murdered in the same place in a very violent manner
There were tense and unpleasant family relationships
There was extensive press coverage from the very beginning
Both defendants had exceptional financial resources
Both had the slickest lawyers that money could buy
Defense lawyers mocked the police investigation and implied corruption was involved
Judicial rulings were much criticized after the trial
OJ's lawyers "played the race card"
Lizzie's lawyers played the "nice-respectable-girl" card
A highly disputed aquittal ensued
Tons of books about the case followed the verdict
All we need here is a slow-speed chase upstreet in Fall River. Unfortunately, Lizzie's wealthy father Andrew, noted for his thrift (or greed, depending on your point of view), had sold the family's horse and carriage for the sake of economy.
In the intervening years, Lizzie's case has not only inspired books and theories galore, but a ballet, an opera, a made-for-TV movie, and even an aid to diagnosis in medicine, Debate about Lizzie's guilt has lasted over a hundred years. Only time will tell whether the same will hold true for OJ Simpson.
It was after seeing the Glimmerglass Opera's performance of "Lizzie Borden" last summer that I got the idea of doing a 3D reconstruction of the Borden house. For the house itself was central to the case against Lizzie. Its lack of hallways, small size, and the Bordens' strong adherence to security measures, make for a classic mystery.
The Borden house still stands in Fall River, and today it is a combination bed and breakfast and museum, where you can spend the night or take a tour and work on your own theories.