The acquittal is innocence under the law
yet it has not stopped speculation
of Lizzie’s guilt by all
It stands in the shadows of its own merit
due in part by whom did inherit
It is tested against numerous theories
yet tends to hold up under modern mock juries
Maybe it grew from planted notions:
a Victorian woman of status certainly couldn’t,
a dutiful daughter offering a ring absolutely wouldn’t,
and a Christian rallying temperance under the will of God shouldn’t
Maybe it's a reflection of glaring doubts:
circumstantial evidence can’t be proven,
appearances may be an illusion,
and reasonableness can falter against the slightest confusion
So in truth what is the acquittal?
Well it’s what you make it to be,
a righteous judgement
or the fruit from a planted seed
Whatever its nature
or its root cause,
more than a century after the acquittal
two legendary murders still remain unsolved.
