Why was the Lizzie Borden trial important?

Answer 1

Of course every trial is important to the parties involved. But the Borden case was significant for several reasons. Life in Victorian-era America was structured and somewhat proper compared to today's relaxed attitudes. Women are viewed differently, no longer refered to as the 'weaker' sex. Women of Lizzie's time period were taught to be ladylike and demure. So to imagine a young woman from a good, Christian family committing double murder, with an axe no less, was almost ridiculous. And I believe it was this very attitude that allowed for Lizzie's aquittal for the murders.

Borden also set the prescident of using personal wealth and influence to buy the best defense available. Loepold and Loeb and OJ Simpson followed suit and saved their necks with expensive and persuasive councel.

But with the Borden case it is important to note, although Lizzie was aquitted, left to spend her father's hard-earned money, she was forever more a social outcast. Her jury was far more tolerant the the people of small town Fall River, MA. Her victory was a hollow one, and an expensive one in terms of human relations. Several years after the murders, Lizzie (or LizBeth as she liked to be called) and older sister Emma had a rift that was to last for the rest of their lives. The sisters died within days of each other in 1927 and were buried beside their parents in the family plot.