Lizzie Borden Audio: Recent Episodes
Kate Lavender
Lizzie Borden Audio is a new episodic series that appeals to lovers of the dark and macabre nature of a historical true crime investigation from the famous 1892 case. Told from multiple witnesses and utilizing the primary source transcripts with short musical interludes, it is the first podcast made entirely from trial testimony with humorous bits of music to accent the absurd and sometimes comical nature of the crime. I've also written my first blog on Substack on how Lizzie was able to commit the murders w/o getting blood on her hair or clothes so quickly by wearing a cape like waterproof gossamer. Check it out.
A continuation of the detailed account of witness statements and police investigations surrounding the Borden murders. Analysis of the interdynamics of the family members of Lizzie Borden and her father and stepmother, John Morse, and maid Bridget Sullivan, and other community members.
Key figures such as Fall River police officer George W. Allen, detail the initial discovery of the bodies, and Lizzie Borden, who provides her conflicting alibi. The podcast also reveals attempts to bribe witnesses and manipulate the press by individuals like McHenry and Trickey, adding a layer of journalistic intrigue and legal maneuvering to the investigation.
Additionally, it chronicles various search efforts at the Borden residence and surrounding areas, the collection of physical evidence, and the questioning of numerous individuals for potential clues, painting a comprehensive picture of the extensive investigation into the infamous double murder of 1892.
Heeyyyy Lovers! The transcripts are now LIVE! I had to correct the spelling of her name from Lizzy to Lizzie and Bordon to Borden by hand over 40 times! YaY! So happy to be the first person to create the trial testimony into a series of podcasts for all of you - SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the INQUEST of MRS. CHURCHILL and a DEEP DIVE on LIZZIE's INQUEST TESTIMONY coming soon.
In this episode, we plunge into the murky waters of the Lizzie Borden murder case, dissecting the chaos and confusion that followed the brutal slayings of Andrew and Abby Borden on that fateful August day in 1892. With original witness statements from the time, we aim to sift through the historical noise and uncover the contradictions that have kept this case alive for over a century.
We scrutinize the accounts of key witnesses, from the first responders, Officer George W. Allen and Dr. Bowen, whose premature conclusions raise serious questions, to Lizzie’s own contradictory statements that leave us guessing. What was she really doing in the barn? And why did she resist a search of her room?
Bridget Sullivan, the maid, provides a crucial timeline that clashes with Lizzie’s narrative, while the mysterious club found under Alice Russell's bed and the suspicious behavior of those involved hint at deeper secrets. We delve into the ethical quagmire of the investigation, exploring allegations of bribery and witness tampering that cast a shadow over the entire legal process.
As we navigate through the testimonies, it becomes clear that the human element—fear, bias, and self-preservation—plays a pivotal role in this tragic saga. Join us as we unravel the threads of this infamous case, still shrouded in mystery and intrigue, leaving us to ponder: what really happened in that house on Second Street?
A new experimental podcast where I try out a new format with no background music or host to educate you as two Lizzie Borden Trial experts analyze Moody's compelling two-hour opening statement in 56 minutes, commercial-free. This was Moody's first murder trial at the age of 40. Mrs. Churchill's Inquest is coming soon. Subscribe so you don't miss it!
TIMECODES:
00:00 INTRO - MOODYS DEMONSTRATES THE TIMELINE of AUGUST 4, 1892
00:56 The Horror of the Crime
01:26 Classic Opening
02:00 The Difficulty of Acquiring the Transcripts Going Back to Author Ed Pearson in the 1920s
02:21 A Roadmap of the Prosecution's theory
03:12 Their First Shot of Persuasion
04:37 Old Common Law Language of the Jury's Duty
05:10 Moody Describes the Crime as Unthinkable
06:45 Moody Tells the Jury to Focus on the Facts & Not Her Character
07:39 Moody Begins to Describe the Family starting with Andrew Borden
09:02 Describes the Layout of the House on a Busy Street in Broad Daylight
10:10 Describes the 3 Exterior Doors of the House
10:40 Moody Describes the Tension & Unkindly Feeling in The House
10:45 He Prepares the Jury for Circumstantial Evidence
11:10 Moody describes the benefaction of property given by Andrew to a relative of Mrs. Borden
11:30 This caused a giant shift in the house between the sisters and Mrs. Borden
17:55 Who Was In The House the Day Before the Murders?
18:30 Sudden violent illness in the house
18:59 Moody connects illness to Lizzie's attempt to buy Poison the Day Before the illness
20:00 Lizzie Visits Best Friend Alice Russell Evening Before the Murders predicting Doom
21:00 The Day of The Murders
22:00 Moody Emphasizes the Locked Doors of the House
22:50 Moody Walks Through the Timeline of the Murders
23:45 Bridget Vomits Breakfast in Back Yard
24:04 Mrs. Borden Tells Bridget to Wash the Windows While She Goes Upstairs and tends to Pillowcases in the Spare Bedroom that Uncle John Morse Had Slept In during the night
26:56 Moody ascertains that Andrew Borden Arrived at 10:40 am in Contrast to Neighbor who swore she saw Andrew attempting to Unlock His Own Front Door with a Key at 10:32 am
28:55 Lizzie Begins Ironing Handkerchiefs according to herself
30:40 The General Alarm of the Murders Came at 11:15 am to the FRPD Station
34:30 Impossible to Believe Lizzie Eating Pears in the Upstairs Loft of the Barn looking for lead- No footprints in Dust - While Andrew Borden Was Being Murdered according to Officer Medley
35:19 Lizzie suddenly insists she heard Mrs. Borden Come In after asserting All Morning She Was Out to See a Sick Friend - then Why Was She Sending Bridget Out on Errands To Look For Her?
36:40 Lizzie Changed Clothes While Upstairs into a Prink Wrapper while alone in her room
37:30 Establishing the Order of Deaths - Abby first -cold & clotted - Andrew warm & dripping blood
38:25 Moody Describes the Stomach Contents of Andrew Borden Indicative of Time of Death
39:00 Abby Borden's Stomach Contents Suggest Prior Death by 60+minutes
40:10 Lizzie disclosed that she turned her clothing over to the police several days after the murders
40:22 Professor Wood descr
Enigmatic Nellie McHenry arrived in Fall River alongside her husband, Detective Edwin McHenry, shortly after the brutal murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Dubbed the "mysterious lady in black" by local newspapers, Nellie would provide important clues about the household by disguising herself as a relative of the late Mrs. Borden and skillfully gained the trust of Bridget Sullivan, the Borden family’s maid to extract confidential details about the household.
Bridget spoke candidly, revealing key insights that she never disclosed during her preliminary or superior court testimony. However, the world remained unaware of Nellie McHenry’s undercover work until 1989, when the grandson of Prosecutor Hosea Knowlton donated his grandfather's legal files to the Fall River Historical Society—documents that were later published in 1994.
Among Bridget’s revelations was the denial of Lizzie’s claim that a messenger boy delivered a note summoning Mrs. Borden to visit a sick friend. For one, the front door was still double-locked, forcing Mr. Borden to be let in by Bridget upon his return. Additionally, Mrs. Borden never left the house without informing Bridget, even for something as simple as a yeast cake.
Bridget had attempted to leave her position three times, but each time, Mrs. Borden persuaded her to stay by increasing her wages. Though reluctant to share specifics, Bridget admitted that living and working in a household devoid of love was too difficult for her.
Nellie McHenry is played by Tanya Montoya.
VoiceOver Narrator: Mike Paine
Interview by Borden Experts created with Google Notebook LLM.
Trial testimony provided by the website of LizzieAndrewBorden.com with permission from Stefani Koorey.
Royalty-free music: Unstoppable and Adrenaline by Jon Wright
Other sources: The Knowlton Papers by FRHS
The Case Against Lizzie Borden by William Spencer.
Directed & Produced by Kate Lavender
Visit Lizzie Borden Audio on my YouTube channel and leave a comment!
https://www.youtube.com/@lizziebordenaudio
This episode contains new information of Lizzie refusing a search and barring the officers from looking inside her room or bureau. Later this information would be disputed as tho it never happened. Read it for yourself in the book "The Jennings Journals, 1892" by the Fall River Historical Society. What was she hiding? Please leave a comment if you know.
Alice said she knew "it was cold blooded murder" implying it was Lizzie by the way that her Uncle, John V. Morse, looked directly into Lizzie's eyes and cried out, "How in the name of God does something like this happen, Lizzie?" when he became emotionally distraught upon hearing that the Bordens had been brutally slain in the few hours since they had all dined together at breakfast.
On further reflection I believe that John Morse was the one person that truly grieved over the loss of Andrew and Abby Borden as he found in Andrew a brotherly, best friend that he could confide in financially and share a sense of belonging as brother-in-laws, his Fall River family for over 42 years when his sister Sarah married Andrew. They were very much alike and shared many secrets which Emma would pry out of him by her letter writing.
The information of John Morse is known to me bc I have recorded the inquest of Charles Sawyer which also goes into more detail about the anguish that John Morse exhibited that day. Unlike Lizzie who was busy swooning.
Included is the expert testimony of Dr. Ed Wood, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard Medical School and his autopsy results of the stomach contents of Andrew and Abby Borden for prussic acid. Unfortunately, he says he would need at least a full two weeks to test for other poisons.
The Flat Iron Theory as a murder weapon is discussed in a letter written to the District Attorney in a letter.
Alice hints that she changed after she found a big ugly stick that scared her under the bed she slept in suggesting that Lizzie may have planted it there. But the FRPD did another thorough search during the funeral and they are the ones that put it back under the bed that made her take notice. I think she changed because of something else she saw or heard regarding Lizzie's behavior - was it because of the dress burning? Was it because she never saw Lizzie cry but only swoon?
Alice Russell played by Shaily Rae Smith
D.A. Hosea Knowlton played by Tim Dennis
HK006 - What Became of the Piece of Lead? by Brenda McGinnis
Irish Cop and Narration by DJ/Radio Star Jack Cone
Lizzie Barrs the Officers: Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden
Tim Dennis as Officer Harrington
Dr. Ed Wood played by David Loftus
John V. Morse & Flat Iron Theory by Jack Dabdoub
Lizzie's Axe by David Loftus
FATAL CHOICE opening music by eBunny
CANDY FACTORY by Roman Cano (Alice's theme)
SPOOKY WALTZ by Elena Naumova (Lizzie's new Axe)
SHIMMERING WATERS by Jon Wright (Flat Iron Theory)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN by Ahoami (Closing theme)
Trial transcripts provided with permission by Stefani Koorey
and the website LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Produced by Kate Lavender
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Dr. Bowen was summoned shortly after Lizzie Borden discovered the body of her father, Andrew Borden, dead in the sitting room with his head smashed open by a hatchet. Shortly after Doc Bowen arrived he encountered several witnesses and gave his timeline of events and sadly, described how Mrs. Borden visited his office early Wednesday morning stating that someone was trying to poison them the day before the murders.
Bowen made acute observations on Lizzie and Bridget's behavior including what they wear wearing, their composure, and whether or not Lizzie was fainting or crying as the papers said she "was having fainting fits."
District Attorney Hosea Knowlton: Tim Dennis
Dr. Seabury W. Bowen: David Loftus
Fainting Lizzie: Rina Sklar
Music: The Gargoyles of Notre Dame by Alex Grey
Voiceover Narration: Don Sharp @Sharpvoiceovers on Fiverr
Trial transcripts provided with permission by Stefani Koorey
and www.LizzieAndrewBorden.com
HK 130 and HK 332 from "The Knowlton Papers" by the Fall River Historical Society
Performed by CrankyPants T.D. Dennis
"Jonsey" on KBOO.fm.com for some of the most interesting people in the world of books, podcasts, radio theater, music & humor. Guaranteed to entertain & enlighten. And thanks for the review, Jonsey!
Courtney Kocak's "PODCAST BESTIE" is a best friend to podcasters trying to grow & monetize their shows with the top marketing professionals in podcasting with a ton of DIY tips and tricks. And thanks for the shoutouts, Bestie!
Mayor of Fall River, Dr. John Coughlin entered the residence of Andrew and Abby Borden, on August 4, 1892, forty minutes after their murders, and began to take meticulous notes and observations about the victims and the perpetrator that are still relevant today.
"The same deliberate hand that inflicted death upon the man guided the weapon that cut off Mrs. Borden's life. I cannot satisfy myself how a person could have done such a deed with so little blood around and leave no mark of his presence left behind."
Dentist M.M. Park played by David Loftus
Special Appearance by Jack Cone
Mayor Dr. John Couglin played by David Loftus
All other voices played by David Loftus
Music in order of appearance:
Gloria in Excelsis by Raffaele De Leonardo
Disturbed Anxiety by eBunny
Cute Puzzle Box by Roman Cano
This episode contains transcripts.
Produced by Kate Lavender
All information contained in this podcast was selected from the scholarly work of the Fall River Historical Society with "The Knowlton Papers" and "The Jennings Journals 1892." You can order these books online.
Outro voiceover by Don Sharp of Sharp VoiceOvers
John Morse was the first person that gave his inquest to District Attorney Hosea Knowlton after the suspicious murders of Andrew & Abby Borden on August 4, 1892, just a few hours after he left the house to pursue his errands after spending the night in the same room that Abby's body was found brutally hacked about the head the same way as her husband with no bloody footprints leaving the crime scene.
D.A. Knowlton grilled him with questions attempting to piece together a plan with Emma or Lizzie to kill their father and stepmother. Many people believe that Uncle John had something to do with the murders but Morse, a lifelong bachelor, showed he had a deep fondness for the extended family he'd known for over 30 years and was invited back for the noonday meal when he came upon the crowds at the house and a guard at the door.
Music provided by:
eBunny for "Enchanted Violin" from AudioJungle/Envato in the Intro
Spring is Coming by Jack White played at the Outro
David Loftus as John Vinnicum Morse and psychopath Philip Gordon Reed from "The Knowlton Papers" published by the Fall River Historical Society.
Dennis Alexander: Announcer
Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden and Tim Dennis as Fall River Police Officer during a room search of Lizzie Borden's bedroom taken from "The Jennings Journals 1892."
Guest appearance by radio star Jack Cone. "Everywhere that I looked not a trace of crimson could be found." Thanks, Jack, you're a class act!
Cameo appearance by Arielle Nissenblatt @arithisandthat as Lizzie Borden at the pharmacy the day b4 the murders. "Ten cents of prussic acid, please." You rule!
Jack White's music can be purchased from Amazon and Apple Music and everywhere music is sold. His royalty-free music is available at MelodyLoops.com
Produced by Kate Lavender
Transcriptions of trial testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and the website of LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Support the show
Emma Borden, the older spinster sister to Lizzie Borden gave her inquest testimony to District Attorney Hosea Knowlton sometime during August 9-11, 1892 less than a week after the murders of her father and stepmother.
The testimony takes on new meaning now that we know Emma was present with Lizzie in Fairhaven while she was asking for chloroform at Hypolyte Martel's Apothecary two weeks before the murders which can be verified with the latest book from the prestigious Fall River Historical Society's "The Jennings Journals 1892."
Includes a short interlude from "one who reads but only a woman" written anonymously to D.A. Knowlton to not forget "the burnt dress" from "The Knowlton Papers" by the Fall River Historical Society.
Emma Borden: Brenda McGinnis
District Attorney Knowlton: Tim Dennis
One Who Reads But Only a Woman: Brenda McGinnis
Last Dance: by eBunny
Spring is Coming: by Jack White
Narrator: Don Sharp
Produced by Kate Lavender
Trial transcripts provided with permission by Stefani Koorey, Ph.D. and the website of LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Listen while reading the transcript. Emma Borden and Alice Russell discuss the burning of the Bedford Cord Dress after the murders.
Brenda McGinnis as Emma Borden, Mrs. Cyrus W. Tripp, Mrs. Jane Gray & Gossipy Church Lady.
Rina Sklar as Alice Russell.
David Loftus as Eli Bence, Dr. Albert E. Chase, Officer Harrington & others.
S.W. Conser as Eli Bence, Officer Medley, Reads the "Love Letter to Lizzie" and lawyer, Andrew Jennings & others.
S.W. Conser as spectral voices in Greek Chorus. Host of "Words & Pictures" @KBOO Radio.
Ken Jones as Officers Doherty & Harrington.
Larry Andrews as Officer Harrington.
Christie Quinn reads 2 passages from Parallel Lives from the Fall River Historical Society.
Rolf Semprebon as Officers Doherty & Harrington. Host of "Sounds Unsound" @KBOO Radio.
James Krzmarzick as D.A. Willaim A.Moody's Opening Statement at the Superior Court Trial.
Jody McCoy as Mrs. Churchill.
Kati Dery as Bridget Sullivan with PSHAW!Ha! Ha! Ha!
Martin Dodge as Outro.
Samantha an ominous child voice.
Scary male voice: Jack Dabdoub.
Lady Blue: Lyrics & Melody by Kate Lavender, Vocals by Christine Rotondo.
Music by AudioJungle and MelodyLoops.com.
Both songs were titled: Mysterious Clocks.
RoyaltyFree Music by MelodyLoops.com
Ominous Orchestra by Elena Naumova
Sadness Inside by Erick McNerney
Sadness Through the Window by Audioblyca
Irish Pub by Alexander Lisenkov
Funny Bassoon by Eitan Epstein Music
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's witness statements provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Defense Lawyer Ex-Governor George Robinson discusses "that one blue dress with the theory there were 2 bloody dresses to burn" and the prosecution's pursuit of "the Bedford Cord dress" played by Dennis Alexander.
Next door neighbor Mrs. Churchill testifies her discovery of Abby Borden's body upstairs in the guest room after Lizzie's urging played by Jody McCoy.
Officer Medley, Assist. Marshall John Fleet, Charles Cook, business manager, and Reverend Jubb was played by David Loftus.
Bridget Sullivan played by Kati Dery
James "Chocolate" Dixon played Constable F.L. Edson and Dr. Albert C. Dedrick notices a bowl of bloody water in the guestroom after he placed his fingers in Abby Borden's wounds.
Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden.
Gwyn LaRee as Mrs. Bowen and Mrs. Perry Gifford, Seamstress.
Assist. Marshall Fleet, Officers Doherty & Harrington played by Tim Dennis.
Dennis Fitzpatrick as Hiram C. Harrington, Andrew Borden's brother-in-law. Music by MelodyLoops.com Theme song: Golden Age of Modern Empires.
Recorded at KBOO Radio in Portland, Oregon
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's witness statements provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
The original witness statements from the case of Lizzie Borden by the Fall River Police Department immediately following the discovery of Andrew and Abby Borden's mutilated heads by their youngest daughter.
Dennis Alexander as announcer
Tim Dennis as the Mayor of Fall River
Kati Dery as Bridget Sullivan & Lucy Collette
David Loftus all other voices
Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden
Jody McCoy as Mrs. Buffington Churchill
All Music licenses purchased from MelodyLoops.com
Spooky Pumpkins by Audiocalm: license #5178
Quirky Clarinet by Eitan Epstein Music license #9167
Produced by Kate Lavender
Recorded at KBOO Radio in Portland, Oregon.
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's witness statements provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Music license# =last 4 digits
The exciting conclusion of the Inquest of Lizzie Borden as D.A. Knowlton queries Lizzie about the inconsistencies in her stories on the day of the murders. Also discussed the eating of pears in the hot loft of the barn while looking out a closed window when she was "too sick to eat breakfast," looking for pieces of lead she "never found" to go fishing, her attempt to buy prussic acid, and purchasing cheap dress material with a pattern in New Bedford. Last, Knowlton asked her eight times if she wore an apron on the day of the murders.
Martin Dodge as Narrator
Retro Comic Music by MelodyLoops
Dennis Alexander as announcer
Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden
Tim Dennis as D.A. Hosea Knowlton
Lady Blue sang by Christine Rotondo
Directed & Produced by Kate Lavender
Recorded at KBOO Radio, Portland, Oregon
Music & Lyrics of Lady Blue by Kate Lavender
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's inquest testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
D.A. Knowlton interrogates the 32 year-old-spinster daughter of the great Andrew J. Borden of Fall River revealing a sophisticated and clever liar. All pleasantries have subsided as Lizzie uses her own brand of Bullshit & Bitchcraft to confuse her nemesis.
Narrator: Martin Dodge
Announcer: Dennis Alexander
Lizzie Borden: Tanya Montoya
D.A. Hosea Knowlton: Tim Dennis
Directed & Produced by Kate Lavender
Recorded at KBOO Radio, Portland, Oregon
Retro Comic Music from MelodyLoops.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's inquest testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
D.A. Knowlton interrogates Lizzie Borden during her inquest until she admits she was alone with Abby Borden between 9:00 and 10:40 am when her father returned to the house. Soon thereafter, her father and then later, her stepmother are found dead and she declares she was up in the barn loft "looking for sinkers" and neither heard nor saw anyone.
Narrator: Martin Dodge
Lizzie Borden: Tanya Montoya
D.A. Hosea Knowlton: Tim Dennis
Directed & Produced by Kate Lavender
Spooky Pumpkin by MelodyLoops.com
Music: Darkness Falls by MelodyLoops
Recorded at KBOO Radio, Portland, Oregon
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's inquest testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
Lizzie Borden was summoned to appear for questioning before Judge Blaisdell and D.A. Hosea Knowlton for the first day of her inquest five days after the suspicious murders of her father and stepmother. She was the last person to see each person alive moments before their deaths even though they occurred two hours apart.
Announcer: Dennis Alexander
Narrator: Martin Dodge
Lizzie Borden: Tanya Montoya
D.A.Hosea Knowlton: Tim Dennis
Directed & Produced: Kate Lavender
Recorded at KBOO Radio, Portland, Oregon.
Music: Powerful Rocket by MelodyLoops.com
Pumpkin Fiction & Spooky Pumpkin by MelodyLoops
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's inquest testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com
100% testimony from the famous criminal trial of Lizzie Borden told from multiple witnesses as neighbors, spinsters, relatives, and police officers give their statements in a capital case that profiles the political history of women and minorities that is still relevant today.
Announcer by Dennis Alexander
Narrated by Larry Andrews
Recorded at KBOO Radio
Music by MelodyLoops.com
Mastered at Auphonic.com
Written & Produced by Kate Lavender
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.com
https://www.lizziebordenaudio.substack.com
Transcriptions of Lizzie's inquest testimony provided with permission by Stefani Koorey and LizzieAndrewBorden.com