Bridget's Inquest Testimony

chuckciao · Post by **chuckciao** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:37 pm

One aspect of the case that has bothered me is Bridget's missing inquest testimony. Not sure if this was discussed in the forum earlier but does anyone have any insight into this? Have there been any efforts to locate this testimony? I have always suspected that Bridget knew more than she admitted. I also feel that she must have heard the slaughter that was taking place below.

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:10 am

Try the archives on this website. I am about ready to dive in for another look. I have never seen Bridgets testimony. That is a good question as to where it is.

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:04 am

The only thing I have found so far is the trial testimony of Bridget Sullivan, on this site. It might of interest to you.

Also, if you can get ahold of a copy of the book "Trial of Lizzie Borden" by Edmund Pearson, there is some statements from Bridget in there. Hope that helps.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:07 am

Altho Bridget's Inquest was lost (actually, Lizzie's might have been lost if it had not been printed in a newspaper), apparently it was not much different from the testimony she gave at the Prelim (also available via lizzieandrewborden.com).

The one discrepancy we know about between her Inquest & Prelim is she may have initially stated that Lizzie was crying & later changed that. Bridget is questioned at the Trial as to this difference between her Inquest statement & her answers at Prelim.

There is also the slim possibility a copy of Bridget's Inquest may still exist as part of the elusive Robinson Papers still being held privately under client confidentiallity by the still-existing lawfirm founded by former Gov. Geo. D. Robinson (Head of Lizzie's Trial defense team).

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:53 pm

There were efforts to locate Bridget's inquest testimony before the trial. Pillsbury and Knowlton didn't realize it was missing, I don't think, until Jenning's team wanted it. So it's been missing a long time. Maybe Annie White's estate has a copy?

This is from The Knowlton Papers Glossary:
WHITE, ANNIE M.: an official stenographer for Bristol County, Massachusetts, at the time of the Borden trial. A resident of New Bedford, Massachusetts, she is recorded there from 1887 to circa 1894. Summoned as a witness, she was called to testify regarding the notes which she recorded at the inquest, August 9 through August 11, 1892.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:06 pm

Kat has it right. There is a letter in the Knowlton papers which suggests the prosecution withheld Bridget's Inquest testimony from the defense.

Page 176, letter HK172, from Knowlton to Pillsbury dated May 5, 1893 a month before the opening of the trial:

"New Bedford, Mass., May 5, 1893.

Hon. A. E. Pillsbury: Dear Sir:-

Jennings wants to have his experts see the skulls, and I told him I supposed there would be no objection, and have so written to Dolan.
They also want Bridget Sullivan's testimony at the inquest. We declined to give it to them before the indictment, but I see no objection to giving it to them now. It is almost identical with her story as told before Judge Blaisdell, and will do us no harm. What do you think?
Yours truly
H. M. Knowlton"

Unfortunately there is no responding letter from Pillsbury in the Knowlton papers.

On May 17th Adams writes to Pillsbury requesting a copy and suddenly neither Pillsbury or Knowlton can locate it. However, it must have been found before the trial as Robinson when questioning Bridget cites questions and answers Bridget gave at the Inquest.

It's nice to know that Knowlton himself says that it was "almost identical" to that given at the Preliminary. But still we'd love to read it.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:34 pm

That's good extra info, Har- thanks!
It's like Paul Harvey- "the rest of the story..."