The herald., 1893-06-21
LIZZIE BORDEN SET FREE.
The End of the Celebrated
Murder Trial.
Not Guilty Is the Verdict the
Jury Returned.
1t Took Them Just Twenty Minutes
to Decide the Case.
The District Attorneys Closing Argu-
nent-A Dramatic Scene at the
Conclusion of the
Proceedings.
By the Associated Press.

New BEDFORD, June 20.-At the open
ing of the Borden trial this morning,
District Attorney Knowlton resumed
argument on behalf of the common
wealth. He addressed himself to the
motive for the murder. He pointed out
the enmity of Lizzie toward her step
mother as a sufficient motive for her
murder, and said her killing necessitated
killing her father, stern man who
knew of the enmity and loved his dead
wife. The only way for Lizzie to pos
sibly escape punishment lay in killing
her father. This theory is the only one
which would consistently account for
the double murder taking place in
period with an hour and half between
the acte.
The speaker continued, arguing that
the silk dress produced by the defend
ant was not the dress worn at the time
OF the murder. The two versions of the
burning of the defendants dress were
irreconcilable. He discussed the de-
fendant's conduct since the murder, and
declared the story told by Matron Regan
and afterward denied by her, about
quafIel DetWeoH tno Dolusu eietorsj "ns
true.
I'm all your observations" continued
the district attorney, "have you ever
heard OF an attempt to create an alibi
which was more straining than the cir
cumstances Of this one? That barn alibi
will not stand"
He then commented on the old and
dusty condition of the barn, and the fact
that keen-eyed people found no traces OF
person having been there. How che
could avoid getting blood on her clothes
the Jury could not answer, because thay
were neither women nor murderers. 1t
was singular thing that the dress,
after being kept SO long, was burned
that particular Sunday. Lizzie had
been told Saturday night that she was
accused OF the crime, and the next
morning burned the drsss.
The speaker said Mrs. Reagan never
f.. -. - =. yAss lsSiar r@ua ma away atnry
under 0aTn. The prosecution did not
claim that they introduced the hatchet
with which the murder was committed.
1t showed that the hatchet had been
wet and rubbed in ashes, and that the
blade fitted almost miraculously in the
holes in the skulls.
He closed with an eloquent appeal to
the Jury.
The court then took recess.
LIZZIE GIVEN A CHANCE TO TALK.
On reassembling the defendant was
given an opportunity to speak. She
said: 81 am innocent, but will leave
my case in your hands, and with my
COUNSEL"
THE CHARGE TO THE JURY.
Justice Dewey then charged the jury.
He defined. the different degrees of
murder, and stated that the presump-
ton of innocence is increased by the
defendants character, and that there
must be real and operative motive.
The judge further charged the jury to
weigh the evidence to see whether the
defendants permanent state of mind
showed motive for the crimes. He
said every material allegation in the in
dictment must be proved beyond rea-
eonable doubt; that is as to moral GER
tainty. He compared direct and circum-
stantial evidence, and said the failure to
prove an essential fact would be fatal
but failure to prove helpful circum-
stance not a fact, might not be.
Lizzie's statements about the note
were discussed at length. He said they
must be satisfied that they were false
every fact proved must be reasonably
consistent with guilt. The government
did not show that anybody else had any
opportunity TO commit the crime, but
must prove that the defendant com
mitted it. The jury must reason as to
the effect OF the defendants conduct and
statements. They were not to conclude
by expert testimony, but were to apply
to it reasonable Judgment. They might !
convict if satiefied that the act was done
by another party, but that the defen-
dant was present, aiding and abetting.
The fact that the defendant did not tes-
tify should not influence them against
her.
Judge Dewey continuing said: "The |
claims that teese acts come
under the head OF murder in the fret |
degree. The law claims that in order to
prove this, every claim must be proved
beyond reasonable doubt. It is stated
that the government presents the case
on circumstantisl evidence, tits under
stood by the court that the government
claims that an essential fact ie embraced
in the note matter; that she made
statements which she knew were false
when she was making them; but con-
templates the possibility of there being
an assassin. Might he not come upon
her when the note was at hand and re-
moved it ss one OF the links? In cir
evidence, unless every link
holds good, the chain is worthless"
The jury was asked to bear in mind in
facts there was nothing to
connect the defendont with murder, as
far as outward appearances went.
THE DEFENDANT ACQUITTED.
The justice concluded his charge to
the jury at 3:l0p.m. At the conclusion
Of the charge the attorneys consulted
lew moments and then the jury was al
owed TO retire.
1t was Just 80 O'Clock when the spec
tators who, kept their seats patiently
Turing the retirement of the jury, no.
iced a movement that indicated their
-eturn. A moment later the IL Men