Taken to Jail
From the Chicago Daily Tribune, August 13, 1892:
What I am Reading
From the Chicago Daily Tribune, August 13, 1892:
August 16, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Well, let’s try to imagine ourselves there, and not as speculator spectators from 114 years later–
How firmly must the accusing finger of justice have pointed at Lizzie for the constabulary to arrest this upstanding member of Fall River society? How suspicious must Uncle John’s and Bridget’s actions have been, to have held them as “witnesses”?
The whole problem with convicting any of the conspirators– and I would add Emma to the three above– is brought out in the article. That is, the prosecution couldn’t make a thoroughly convincing case at that time, or at trial.
The motive, means, and opportunity were most abundantly present. However, where was the smoking gun? Or, better yet, the smoking dress?
The prosecution fumbled around for almost a year, while Lizzie built up public sympathy in jail and assembled her razzle-dazzle “dream team” of attorneys.
The “overall point”– Lizzie & Co. looked just as guilty then as now, but the puzzle was already in place.