Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I was reading Masterson book again "Lizzie didn't do it" and on page 66 it states, " In February of 1893, Andrew Jennings and Melvin Adams added a third membe to Lizzie's defense team. This was George Robinson, sho had served three consecutive on year terms as governor of Massachuetts. Governor Robinson at age 59 was the senior member of the team; Andrew Jennings was 44 and Melvin Adams 42. Robinson became the workhorse for the defense at the trial. He cross- examined most of the prosecution witnesses, prepared briefs on points of law, and gave the closing argument.

Robinson had very little experience as a trial lawyer, and it showed. His briefs cdntained more bombast than logic and he was much less adept at cross- examintion than Adams.Robinson principal contribution came out of his political background."


Other than his political background, why have him on the defense team? He had little experience and he had little or no experience in trials and such. I mean, he very well could have lost the case for Lizzie.

Can any one shed any light on the decesion to have Robinson on the defense team?

In a nutshell, Robinson had appointed Justin Dewey to the position of Superior Court Judge while Robinson was Governor. Dewey was one of the three judges trying Lizzie's case. Dewey owed Robinson and it showed, given Dewey's infamous charge to the jury. Hiring Robinson was purely a politically motivated maneuver by the defense, but it worked.

You're right, it definately worked for Lizzie. She got off.