Lizzie Not Guilty in New Bedford Retrial

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:51 am

The retrial took place yesterday in New Bedford Superior Court.

Standard-Times Article

Lucy Bly is a good local actress, but far too slightly built and old to play Lizzie.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:58 am

Yes - That's what Shelley, LeeAnn and myself thought. She is a bit too old, but is the same height that Lizzie was. The gal that played Emma was the best of them all. She only made one mistake when she said her name was Emma Morse Borden instead of Emma Lenora. She looked like her a bit too.

Dr Dolan was pretty good, but Bridget wasn't that great. She kept making mistakes. She didn't do her homework.LOL

We were all surprised that Lizzie was called to the stand!! I guess this was just for entertainment instead if getting all the facts straight. It was a good
time and enjoyed being in the same courtroom Lizzie was tried in

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:31 am

I wonder if that is the same Lucy Bly that was my english teacher at Dartmouth High?

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:53 am

Yes, Steve. It's the same Lucy Bly. She retired this year after 40 years of teaching. She's been a very active member of Your Theatre in New Bedford for years and is a part-time ranger at the New Bedford Whaling Historical National Park.

Liz Rapoza, who played Emma, graduated from Fairhaven High School with me in 1976. She and I were voted "Most Dramatic" of our class and are pictured together in the yearbook.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:55 am

She was really good as Lizzie, but when Shelley asked her if she was 5'3", and she said yes, I thought, if only! I am 5'3" and was clearly two inches taller than she!

She did a great job. I posted some photos of the event on MondoLizzie and will be adding video today as well.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:02 am

By the way, I would make a horrible juror. I found that out last night. I voted guilty.

While there was no direct evidence to point to Lizzie's guilt, the way the case was presented certainly led me to believe that she was the only one who could have---the only one with access.

Lizzie was lucky not to have me back then determining her fate.

BTW: I don't think she did it, but last night, I was leaning that way.

That is the beauty of this case . . . . unsolved forever!

:rockon:

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:09 am

Off topic but..oh well......I was supposed to be Dartmouth High class of 1976 but I graduated 1 year earlier...class of 1975. Anyways...I just have to say this 1 more time to someone who would understand it Fairhaven guy

FAIRHAVEN EATS CROW! LOL u know I luvs ya fairhaven guy......but that was the big rivalry..Dartmouth VS. Fairhaven. I hope you take this with the fun and reminiscing it was meant to be.

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:41 am

The correct phrase there, Steve, is "DARTMOUTH EATS CROW ON TURKEY DAY!" I was in the high school marching band, so I heard that phrase a LOT every fall.

augusta · Post by **augusta** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:54 am

Wow, Fairhaven Guy! You and she were named "most dramatic"?! That's fantastic!

It was also exciting to hear, Steve S., that the one woman was an old teacher of yours!

I saw a photo of "Emma" on Mondo Lizzie yesterday, and I thought she looked so much like Emma. I just love it when the actor looks like the character.

Can anyone post what Lizzie's testimony was about? I'm so curious.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:01 pm

She testified that she was under the influence of morphine when she gave her inquest testimony.

The prosecution was trying to pin her down and make her look like a liar, and they, instead, made her very sympathetic.

I videotaped the whole thing. I will post it later.

The actress who played Lizzie told us that she was very scared that she wouldn't do Lizzie justice---that her performance would not show innocence but guilt and she would be found guilty. She said it really stressed her!

So the testimony was not much, but it was very cool to hear her tell her story. I will post that part first all by itself if you want.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:02 pm

FairhavenGuy @ Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:53 am wrote:Liz Rapoza, who played Emma, graduated from Fairhaven High School with me in 1976. She and I were voted "Most Dramatic" of our class and are pictured together in the yearbook.

Would you post that picture please? Pretty pretty please?

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:53 pm

Sure thing, Stef. Elizabeth Rapoza was going by the name Betty in high school and is using Liz today. Her dad Joe was the art teacher at Fairhaven High for many years and was one of my favorite teachers. (I majored in Visual Design in college.)

For this "Most Dramatic" photo, Liz brought in the costumes/props. I'm wearing a black construction paper mustache that's taped on.

That year we did M*A*S*H as our Senior Class Play and I played Radar. Liz, I think, played Hotlips although she didn't really fit the Hotlips stereotype.

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:34 pm

That's a great pic, Chris. Is that Along Came Jones I hear playing in the background?

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:08 pm

Chris, you look like Snidely Whiplash roping poor Nell.

Where's Dudley Do-Right to rescue her?

suzy · Post by **suzy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:51 pm

Lucy Bly was a teacher at Dartmouth High, she was my home romm, and German teacher for my 4 years there! As for Bridget...yah, needed to do her homework.

suzy · Post by **suzy** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:55 pm

Liz Rapoza, and family are good friends of ours. Liz is a great talent. Had fun last night...kringed on occassion, but overall, we enjoyed it.

Stefani · Post by **Stefani** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:39 am

I posted Lizzie's testimony on YouTube and MondoLizzie. Please visit my blog to see the fictional testimony of Lizzie Borden!

http://lizzieandrewborden.com/MondoLizzie/

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:54 pm

Just watched the one Stef posted on her blog and part 2 on YouTube.

Despite the fact that Lizzie never testified at the New Bedford courthouse it was great to see it held there.

I liked the woman who played Lizzie even though Lizzie was younger and more fleshy.

They are both worth a look. Check 'em out.

patsy · Post by **patsy** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:42 am

Nice memories here. Love the "most dramatic," and the remarks that follow in fun of course.

And best of all the not guilty.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:04 am

Thank you Christopher! That is a fun picture!

Hey Suzy! Hello! I have just come back here after being away for a while. Have you introduced yourself? And I have a question for you as a local- what did you hear about Lizzie and the murder case in the school-yard?
(People who grew up and went to school around the area have told me interesting play-yard gossip amongst the girls, about Lizzie.)