Did the police ever systematically investigate Lizzie's claims about her father's enemies?
Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 1:55 pm
One of the things I find odd about this case is Abby Borden's fears, expressed to Dr. Bowen the day before the murder, about poisoning. She didn't seem to think someone in particular was trying to kill her, but rather some food she was eating may have been contaminated in production (the baker's bread). That evening Lizzie also talks about fears that family members might be poisoned, but she has a different take on things - she thinks it might be her father's enemies deliberately trying to kill them.
People who think Lizzie is likely the killer explain this as some effort on her part to plant the idea her father had enemies, thus muddying the water to help cover her tracks for her own plans with an ax the next day.
However, if Lizzie is innocent one of the obvious implications is that Andrew Borden must have thought he had enemies who might murder him and his family. It's hard to see how Lizzie could have come up with the idea out of nowhere. She must have heard it from Andrew, or second-hand from Abby. When she was questioned about the specifics of who they might be, she could only think of a man who visited the house recently and had a disagreement with her father about his refusal to rent him a property. That suggests Andrew had specific concerns about an individual, presumably one who had made some sort of threat, but hadn't shared who that was Lizzie.
It's possible someone unbalanced enough to commit a double-ax murder may not even seem like an enemy to Andrew's circle of associates. The murderer's revenge may have been for something that seemed routine to others. Andrew's involvement with banking and property meant he likely had a role in decisions that led to bankruptcies or foreclosures. Andrew's action may have been the final straw for a deeply disturbed individual, and observed in isolation, might hardly seem to merit the suspicion it could incur murder.
Did the police ever systematically investigate Andrew's life and business dealings for any enemies?
People who think Lizzie is likely the killer explain this as some effort on her part to plant the idea her father had enemies, thus muddying the water to help cover her tracks for her own plans with an ax the next day.
However, if Lizzie is innocent one of the obvious implications is that Andrew Borden must have thought he had enemies who might murder him and his family. It's hard to see how Lizzie could have come up with the idea out of nowhere. She must have heard it from Andrew, or second-hand from Abby. When she was questioned about the specifics of who they might be, she could only think of a man who visited the house recently and had a disagreement with her father about his refusal to rent him a property. That suggests Andrew had specific concerns about an individual, presumably one who had made some sort of threat, but hadn't shared who that was Lizzie.
It's possible someone unbalanced enough to commit a double-ax murder may not even seem like an enemy to Andrew's circle of associates. The murderer's revenge may have been for something that seemed routine to others. Andrew's involvement with banking and property meant he likely had a role in decisions that led to bankruptcies or foreclosures. Andrew's action may have been the final straw for a deeply disturbed individual, and observed in isolation, might hardly seem to merit the suspicion it could incur murder.
Did the police ever systematically investigate Andrew's life and business dealings for any enemies?