The media and Lizzie Borden

[snokkums]

I was reading thru some old posts. It seems the media of the time was all over the case. It got me to thinking. With the media the way it is now, with 24 hour news (TV), radio and papers, magazines, I wonder how much of it would have been reported repeated and rehased. And how long would have it gone on? What talk show would they be on, and which one of the main people would be saying what to whom. Maybe not during the trial but afterwards.

[Aamartin]

If this happened today-- even with a not guilty verdict-- members of the jury and others close to the case would be getting book deals, etc. The talk shows would explode.

I wonder if Lizzie would be another Casey Anthony? Despised and have to go into hiding, etc?

[irina]

In her time Lizzie's case was considered the trial of the century, so comparison can be made to O.J., yes, Casey Anthoney, Jodi Arias, etc. One thing I think would be somewhat different is that people today have so much news to absorb everyday, much of it horrific and sensational, that almost everything hits like a flash in the pan. Extraordinary things hold attention for a month or so and then cool off. The recent police shooting of unarmed teenage Michael Brown, and subsequent riots in Ferguson, Missouri held attention for several weeks to a month, for example.

Also today a double axe murder of parents in the family home wouldn't be as sensational as it was in 1892. Our homes are not so sanctified as they were in Lizzie's day and we have many examples of parricides like the Menendez brothers and others. Lizzie's case might hold attention only if other news was slow.

In the end it is hard to compare actions between the two times. "Trial of the century" in the 21st Century would have to be a lot bigger than a double axe murder. If the Borden murders were today and reached that status then I would predict initially the crime would hold about 3 weeks attention. The trial would hold atention as long as it went on. Yes there would be talk shows, book deals, etc.

[Curryong]

I agree with you. I think a double axe/hatchet murder in a provincial town with the daughter accused would hold the public's attention in the same way as the Menendez killings and Casey Anthony. There might not be quite the sensation of the OJ case, or the outrage which descended on Casey Anthony's head because elderly adults don't evoke the same feelings as a dead toddler.

Nevertheless, I think the court proceedings would be televised, and there would be endless discussions on Fox News channel and others, and book deals afterwards. One thing which might be a game-changer today is that Lizzie's defence team might go for the 'background of sexual abuse' theme, which also surfaced briefly in the Menendez case. If so, then, forensic evidence aside, all bets would be off as to a guilty verdict.

[snokkums]

Can you imagine reading a book written by one of the main charcters of trial!?!? Oh, that'd be some good reading! Getting different angles of the same situation!!

[Curryong]

That would depend. I don't think you'd get anything out of John Morse that would make a book (unless he went the sensational route and accused Lizzie.) His disclosure of family financial dealings could be interesting. Bridget's might sell because you'd get some knowledge of what the family was like and how they behaved towards each other. Emma wouldn't ever write a book and all you would get out of Lizzie would be how she, an innocent person, felt about being charged and forced to sit through her trial.

[snokkums]

Up, I 'd love to read what Bridget would have to say. That would be some good reading!!