Lizzie Borden did not go to jail for the 1892 killings of her father Andrew Borden and her stepmother Abby Borden. She was acquitted by a jury after deliberation and was able to go free.
Abby was killed first with an axe in 19 blows, while her husband Andrew was murdered about 90 minutes later with 10 or 11 strikes.
Reasons for the acquittal
According to Smithsonian Magazine, Lizzie was acquitted for a number of reasons, including her class, her gender and nativism - the latter being the surge of Irish immigrants in Fall River, Massachusetts.
However, she was ostracised by the local community, and Lizzie and her sister Emma thereafter led hermit-like existences.
Netflix series and historical legacy
Netflix has released a trailer for Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, ahead of its release on September 17. The trailer appears to fall into a similar vein to Murphy's 2025 Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, whereby the narrative won't be a straightforward retelling of the murder and the subsequent trial.
Instead, it appears that the show will veer into different time periods including a more contemporary era, with Sarah Paulson turning up right at the end as American serial killer Aileen Wuornos. It will also delve into Lizzie's sexuality following speculation surrounding her close friendship in real-life with actress Nance O'Neil and potentially her housemaid Bridget Sullivan.
Lizzie would go down in history with the case being compared to the O.J. Simpson trial and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, while the harrowing killings inspired a chilling rhyme.
Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story will be released on September 17 on Netflix.
