The Lizzie Borden Society archive

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1. "Preliminary Hearing"
Posted by Kat on Jan-27th-02 at 7:42 PM

I have been asked if it is worth it, to get hold of the Preliminary Hearing, or is it "more of the same."
Alluding to the Trial, I'd say it was different and more interesting...
One benefit, at the moment, of having/studying the Prelim. is that not many people have had access to it because the price, hard copy, was nearly $90 w/shipping.
Another is that it was a HEARING, not a trial, so more is allowed in to testimony, than what made it into that rigid trial transcript.  There's none of that "I Object, Brother Attorney"...where the two sides wrangle for a page and so thoroughly, that one forgets the question, or even who is on the stand.....
Lizzie is found "probably guilty" by A Judge, so you can see the rules are relaxed.  Also, not all the evidence had been assessed by the forensic expert (Wood), by the time of the Hearing, and some is actually examined for his determination for the first time On The Stand!  The weapon presented during the Hearing as having done the deed, is nowhere seen by the time the case goes toTrial:  This is an example of Our witnessing the evolution of the Case, and the Prosecutions Theory...
Also, the Preliminary Hearing is important because of the TIMING (August 25th- September 1, 1892), So Close to the actual murders that memories are fresher and less tainted by time and innuendo, and attorneys.  AND BRIDGET SPEAKS for the First Time, even though Lizzie has now Gagged herself...
All in all it is definetly worth the price it's now selling for on C-D, for private use only:  The price of a Hardbound Book from Borders.
This is not a sales pitch, as I have no personal interest in the sale of this item.  I am merely answering publicly a query about the Prelim., now for sale at the web-site, in Lizzie's Second Street Second Hand Shop....Kat

How come I knew you'd have the right answer to this, Kat?  Thanks.  I'll more than likely get the inquest from Stef.  But I wonder how much Lizzie was sedated at the inquest?  I've had morphine more than a few times, and it definately clouded my cognitive processes.   I think it'll be worth reading Bridget's story, nonetheless.

Joe,  I've had Demerol in the emergency room a few times...is it anything like that?  I was all "La-Di-Da" TRUTH SERUM Time!

Demerol vs. morphine? Not even close! Much, much better.