Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Hey everyone,

This post elaborates on each aspect of the fantastic four theory. I will reiterate the theory first before getting into the details on Emma's Alibi.

Theory Synopsis:

In retrospection, given the way the case has unfolded, I am inclined to believe it is a well planned out murder than an impromptu act of cruelty. I believe four people were aware of it partially or completely are Lizzie, Emma, Uncle JVM and Bridget. I am leaning towards possibility of the murder being committed by someone hired to do the same. My theory positions Uncle JVM and Emma as the key planners with complete awareness of what was to unfold, whereas Lizzie and Bridget were partially aware of it.

However, all of us lack enough of data to validate any theories we have put forth; thanks to the investigators/cops who did a lousy job of gathering facts. I still believe Lizzie was involved in this conspiracy, along with others. She could not have done it herself as stated above (not because she is a woman!). Whether, all of them were involved or only some of them were involved is something we can keep guessing for the rest of our lives. Whosoever was involved, has taken the truth with them, to their graves.

Emma's Alibi :

Emma decides to make a rare trip to Fairhaven. However, she mentions to Lizzie and Bridget the gravity of actions which might be undertaken. Lizzie and Bridget agree to comply with her plans, however are told that they will learn more about it when the time is right.

I personally have no idea when Emma left for Fairhaven. I also have no idea if she took a train or she went by a horse buggy. I read it someplace that Emma was accompanied by Lizzie on her way to Fairhaven. However, I am not sure about that. Firstly, it was a rare trip. Secondly, Fairhaven is only 6 miles away from South Dartmouth where Uncle Morse supposedly was before coming to Fall River. All of these are breaks in usual behavioral patterns unless you believe in many coincidences. Emma and Uncle Morse corresponded regularly from what I have learnt from other threads. I won't be surprised if she met him before his visit to Fall River. I would have met my uncle if I made a 2-3 week trip to a town next to his if I had a good relationship with him. Also, Emma seems to come across as someone very close to her mother. Maybe Uncle Morse reminds her of her mother. Someone who would talk to Emma about her as Lizzie can't remember what her mother is like and Andrew definitely has moved on and has a second wife.

a. Break in Pattern: Unusual trip to Fairhaven away from her dear sister.
b. Motivation: Creating a strong Alibi and inheritance.
c. Coincidence: South Dartmouth is in between (5-6miles prior to arrival at Fairhaven) Fall River and Fairhaven where Uncle John Morse resides. Uncle John eventually ends up visiting Andrew before the day of murder.
c. Influence on Crime: Prime suspect, Lizzie was two years old when her birth mom died. She definitely had no idea how her birth mom was like, and should have assumed Abby as her real mom. Emma was 11-12 years old then. Emma looked after Lizzie as a mom, and definitely had a lot of influence on her dislike for Abby. Unless one assumes Abby was a cruel lady, Lizzie's dislike cannot be validated.

I am keen to learn about everyone's take on Emma's influence on this murder and her Alibi.

I want to reiterate that I am a big believer in factual analysis than creating a story out of my whims and fancies. However, I strongly believe absence of facts/evidence/proof is not a proof of absence. I have assumed characters like all of us have in trying to make sense of this case based on our perceptions.

Curiousmind2014, you didn't answer my question that I made for your first thread.

We know that Lizzie had gone away accompanying Emma to Fairhaven, and Lizzie spent two days there. If Lizzie was so "dear" (your word) to Emma, Emma and Morse planned the murder, why hadn't they planned in a different manner so that the murder 's date coincided with the two sisters' journey? In other words, why didn't they plan the murder in a day when the two sister were all absent from the Borden house? This should not have been difficult, IMO.

Hi Franz,

Thanks for your inputs. In a way this confirms, that probably Lizzie, Emma and Uncle Morse may have met on their way to Fairhaven. To answer your question, I was under impression that Lizzie was to supposed to stay at Marion on the day of the murder. However, I would like to confirm that. If anyone has input on the same, I would be glad to learn about it.

From what I read, Lizzie was a mercurial character, motivated by materialistic goodies in life. She was adamant, and knew what she wanted, but definitely wasn't far sighted and smart enough to realize what she was getting into. For example, she was a kleptomaniac. Not that I support it, but it can be understandable that she steals when she was not resourceful enough. Maybe it gave her the pleasure of breaking a law, or outsmarting someone. However, after inheriting lots of money, we still hear of her stealing stuff. It is pure stupidity and lack of understanding where it would get her. Also, this can be noticed from testimonies of her and others about what happened that day. She found an answer that saved her butt at that very moment, without realizing that eventually people would figure things out.

I am sure her mercurial personality got her back home late night on August 3, 1892. I am not sure if single women used to stay out late nights back in the day. However, I wanna believe it was unheard of back then. Lizzie had many opportunities to go for the kill, more than anyone else. However, it would be extremely difficult for me to believe that she murdered both of them without even thinking Bridget would notice it.

Lizzie's fishing trip in Marion was to take place some days after the date when the murders occured.

Even IF Lizzie had planned to leave Fall River and to be absent the August 4th, when Morse arrived the 3rd and when he realized suddenly that Lizzie was at home, he didn't contacted at all with Lizzie, neither the evening of the 3rd, not in the morning of the 4th. With the presence of Lizzie at home, Morse decided as well to realize the murder plan. Do you think all this probable?

At the time of the murders Emma had been at Fairhaven staying with her friends the Brownells for about two weeks. Lizzie accompanied Emma for part of the way on her journey to Fairhaven which is approximately 16 miles from Fall River. They left on that journey together on Thursday July 21st. The sisters journeyed together as far as New Bedford.

Lizzie stayed for two days with her friends the Pooles in a boarding house in New Bedford and during that time visited Augusta Tripp, Carrie Poole's married sister. She was alone only when she went on a short shopping expedition to buy material. She then spent only one day after that with friends in Marion before returning to Fall River.

During all this time Emma was staying with her friends at Fairhaven. There is no evidence that John Morse saw Lizzie in Marion or New Bedford or saw Emma while she was in Fairhaven.