The Trial


The trial went from 1892-1893. It took place in Fall River, Massachusetts. George Dexter Robinson and Andrew Jackson Jennings were the lawyers for the defending side and Melvin Ohio Adams and Hosea Morrill Knowlton were on the accusing side of the trial. 

George Dexter Robinson

“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.


 Andrew Jackson Jennings 

“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

Melvin Ohio Adams

“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.


Hosea Morrill Knowlton

“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.



The trial had three judges, Albert Mason, Caleb Blodgett, and Justin Dewy. 

CHIEF JUSTICE ALBERT MASON, 1836 – 1905. 


“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

JUSTICE CALEB BLODGETT, 1832 – 1901


“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

JUSTICE JUSTIN DEWEY, 1836 – 1900.


“Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum And Library.” Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.


The verdict was acquittal. That means that she was found not guilty and was sent free. 

The list below is the legal chronology of what happened during the trial and what was going on before the trial information was provided by "Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum & Library".

Legal Chronology

AUG. 4, 1892 Murders of Andrew and Abby Borden

AUG. 6 Graveside Service

AUG. 6 Accusation Made By Mayor- Lizzie “suspect”

AUG. 8 Warrant Issued- not served

AUG. 9-11 INQUEST

AUG. 11 Lizzie Borden Arrested

AUG. 12 Arraigned- “probable cause”- pleaded “not guilty” – sent to Taunton

AUG. 25-SEPT. 1 PRELIMINARY HEARING

NOV. 7-21 GRAND JURY- Taunton (also heard other cases)

DEC. 1 GRAND JURY- reconvened (Alice Russell testimony)

DEC. 2 INDICTED

MAY 8, 1893 Arraigned- Superior Court- New Bedford

JUNE 5-20 TRIAL- acquittal