Thank you, Nicky and Lisa for having me.
A transcontinental true crime collaboration. And it's a real whodunit. Centuries later, the most notorious murder case in Massachusetts history is explored with our friends across the pond, Nicky and Lisa, hosts of The Red Rabbit Hole podcast.
In part one of two, we unravel the infamous case of the Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts and the main - and only - suspect, the daughter, 32-year-old Lizzie Borden. She was called many things - spinster, old maid, “bachelor girl” and "DTF" were decades away from the parlance of the day. The colloquial speech was slow to change.
Hosts Lisa and Nicky step into the shoes of the prosecution and defense as we reconstruct the courtroom drama surrounding the shocking 1892 murders of Lizzie’s father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby. As your guide and judge in this role play, we look at the evidence, possible motives, and the frenzied attention that made this case an enduring piece of Americana.
Our conversation takes unexpected turns, even drawing parallels to the modern-day Karen Reed trial in Massachusetts, a spirited debate, where British TV series recommendations morph into a lively discussion about historical and contemporary crime cases. From the kindness of "Call The Midwife," the lavish intrigue of "Downton Abbey," and a right turn from fiction to fact, we explore the outlandish Sherry Papini case and its consequences on her community, contrasting it with the chilling real-life horror featured in "American Nightmare." The discussion underscores the dedication of law enforcement in uncovering truth, spotlighting one officer's relentless pursuit of justice.
The intriguing cases of Lizzie Borden and Karen Reed reveal the powerful sway of societal perceptions and the media's narrative in shaping the public's viewpoint on guilt and innocence. And amidst our intense discussions, we even manage to sprinkle in some humor with tales of baking scones.Comedian Lisa Shepherd and author N V Peacock fall, head first, into rabbit holes of true crime cases that inspired popular thrillers. Join them on their journey down the Red Rabbit Hole.
Listen to The Red Rabbit Hole Podcast
About The Borden Case:
Britanica - Lizzie Borden Took An Ax...And gave her mother forty whacks,And when she saw what she had done,She gave her father forty-one.It's fiction. Her stepmother, Abby, was hit 18 times, and Andrew was hit 11. But that doesn't rhyme.
Smithsonian Magazine - How Lizzie Borden Got Away With Murder - Class, nativism and gender stereotypes all played a role in Borden’s acquittal for the 1892 killings of her father and stepmother
Library of Congress - Arrest and Trial of Lizzie Borden: Topics in Chronicling AmericaLizzie Borden was arrested August 11, 1892 in Fall River, Massachusetts. This guide provides access to material related to “Lizzie Borden” in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.