Cost of a major Murder Trial

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sun May 15, 2005 10:34 am

According to Rebello, the cost of trying Lizzie was $15,758.76. Quite a sum! In 2005 dollars that would be 323,449.89 as per the inflation calculator. Rebello's book states it would be approx. $2.5M in 1996 dollars. (I can not explain the discrepancy-- But firmly believe Mr. Rebello's sources) (pp 274-275)

According to http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... v=9qrxYzhU it cost $4.13M to prosecute Scott Peterson.

As per the inflation calculator, 2.5M in 1996 would be $3,034,560.41 today.

It made me begin to think about the reactions of the taxpayers in Bristol County... Were they angry over the cost of the trial, especially when it ended with no conviction?

The people in Modesto-- and indeed the world may think the $4.13M was well spent!

BTW-- Scott and Laci's home is up for sale...

http://www.news10.net/storyfull1.asp?id=10831

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sun May 15, 2005 11:32 am

Great info Auds. Thank you for bringing it up. It makes me wonder what the people of Fall River/Bristol County think of the money that the LEGEND of that very expensive trial brings in now in tourism, busines, etc. ? I know Fall River is more than just the Borden case and the infamous movie, with having the history of the mills and the shipping business and all, but outside of New England, do most people think of only 'Lizzie' when they think of Fall River ?

Tracy...

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sun May 15, 2005 3:46 pm

Fall River, historically, was very quiet about Lizzie, until at least the centennial of the case, but she's still not much of a deal outside of the B&B, which really hasn't been a B&B too long, and the Fall River Historical Society.

Fall River's biggest draw by far tourism-wise is Battleship Cove, with the USS Massachusetts, which is the state's WWII memorial, the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, the submarine Lionfish, and two PT boats. Besides the WWII interest, I think the Cove is the states's official memorial for other wars as well. This collection of military vessels draws far, far more people to Fall River than Lizzie ever has.

Liz Crouthers · Post by **Liz Crouthers** » Sun May 15, 2005 3:47 pm

i've only thought of her when i hear New England in the past and present

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sun May 15, 2005 4:37 pm

FairhavenGuy @ Sun May 15, 2005 3:46 pm wrote:Fall River, historically, was very quiet about Lizzie, until at least the centennial of the case, but she's still not much of a deal outside of the B&B, which really hasn't been a B&B too long, and the Fall River Historical Society.

Fall River's biggest draw by far tourism-wise is Battleship Cove, with the USS Massachusetts, which is the state's WWII memorial, the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, the submarine Lionfish, and two PT boats. Besides the WWII interest, I think the Cove is the states's official memorial for other wars as well. This collection of military vessels draws far, far more people to Fall River than Lizzie ever has.

Now that is interesting to know! I am planning a summer trip to FR and have some things to add to the list!

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:00 pm

Thank you very much Chris ! I thought Lizzie was a big deal in Fall River...maybe just to those of us who are interested big time in the case huh ? I knew Battleship Cove was big, but I didn't realize HOW big. I missed that, the carousel, FRHS...and that guy from Fairhaven, on both of my first two trips to Fall River....BUT NOT THIS NEXT TIME ! (I want to go in the submarine in Battleship Cove too.)

Tracy...

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:02 pm

I have had quite a few service people come to my home to work on things, like my A/C unit.
They, very many of them, turn out to be from Massachusetts. Also, when I call a service-providing phone number and hear that accent, I ask, and yes their family is from Massachsetts or Rhode Island.

So, of course I ask: "Ever hear of Lizzie Borden?" After relating the rhyme, most do. Then I ask if they have an elderly family members who might know something of the era of the turn of the century. They either do or don't, but most say their relative knew nothing about Lizzie- it was never talked about in their households. Then I ask do they ever get to Fall River? I hear "My wife and her frinds go there." Or "My sister goes there." I ask where do they go?
Answer: "The Outlets!"
The Outlets are the only thing anyone I have informally canvassed here in person, or over the phone, has ever mentioned visiting.

Don't underestimate the power of Shopping!

FairhavenGuy · Post by **FairhavenGuy** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:58 pm

The factory outlet stores in Fall River have been eclipsed lately by the "factory outlet" malls that are now all over the place.

Fall River was one of the original factory outlet centers, back in the day when outlet shopping meant going to a room in the actual factory building and buying greatly discounted goods. Many of the top designer name clothes were once sewn right here in Fall River and New Bedford. One could also buy curtains, sweaters from Fall River Knitting Mills etc.

Then merchants started pulling the outlet stores out of the factories and collecting them in malls. And now, they're all the same whether they're in Fall River or anywhere in the country. Some companies now actually manufacture goods specifically for "factory outlets."

In Fairhaven, though, we do have one real outlet. Brahmin Leather handbags are made right here in Fairhaven, They are among the priciest bags on the market in the country. Brahmin has just two outlet stores. One is here at their factory and the other is in Newport, RI.

Bring credit cards, Audrey!

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:21 pm

Oh Mon Dieu... I do love bags...

I want a Birkin Bag so badly I can taste it...

Here is one for $32,000 on Ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... gory=63852

Needless to say.. I will never have one!

I DO have a Brahmin bag that I got on sale at a department store... It is a nice bag and the leather is as soft as butter!

My brother gives me a Prada gift certificate every year for Christmas and I always get a purse..

I love them.. I can never have enough purses. Or shoes-- Perfume.. Oh how I love being a girl!

Liz Crouthers · Post by **Liz Crouthers** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:26 pm

Good for you

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:32 pm

Battleship Cover, the Carousel, the Marine Museum,and the Railroad Museum, I recommend them all. They are all within walking distance of each other which makes it convenient. I've been to see all of them on both of my visits, but I think I would go back and see them all again

. I especially liked being inside the submarine, I could not imagine being aboard one of those during wartime!! It was so...claustrophic to me....thats the only way I can describe it. They also have A PT boat there, I thought that was so great!

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Sun May 15, 2005 11:15 pm

One of the cheapest prosecutions I've ever heard of took place eight years after the Borden trial. It was a case of murder in the first degree tried in Buffalo, NY before the Supreme Court of Erie County. Trial opened at 10 am. on the 23rd day of September. Testimony continued over the next two successive days. The sentencing hearing commenced the morning of the 26th.

Defendant, aged 28 years, was sentenced to die by electrocution, and that sentence carried out within four weeks.

Approximate cost of trying the case was given at $500,000.

The deceased victim was one William McKinley, President of the United States.

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/exhi ... trial.html

The trial transcript, fascinating reading in itself - not to mention short - may be found at http://www.eriebar.org/pdfs/czolgosz_tr ... cripts.pdf

diana · Post by **diana** » Mon May 16, 2005 1:15 pm

The trial transcript was so interesting. I found the medical testimony particularly absorbing. The trial, e.g. the order of the witnesses, seemed to move ahead so logically in comparison with the Borden trial, didn't it? Of course that was probably because the crime itself was conducted in front of so many witnesses and the defendant's guilt was never in question.

Thanks for the link!

doug65oh · Post by **doug65oh** » Mon May 16, 2005 1:42 pm

You're welcome diana.

There are many parallels it seems between the conduct of two trials. The thing that struck me most about the Buffalo proceeding - if you noticed, there at one point one of the lawyers (Judge Titus maybe) made that remark "not by way of apology" - or whatever the phrase was that he used - but then proceeded in a very careful, veiled manner to apologize for participating as defense counsel!

Somewhere (it may be on that same site, I'm not sure) there are several articles relating to the medical treatment of the president which appeared in professional journals not long after. Those too are quite interesting.

diana · Post by **diana** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:24 pm

Yes, the bit about their reluctance to participate comes right off the top. In fact Titus's colleague, Lewis, tries to interject it before the prisoner even has a chance to respond to the charge as read!

Titus says flat out that he was out of town when the case was assigned and "declined absolutely" but was prevailed upon to do his duty to "his profession, to the public, and to the courts . . ."

These were certainly early indications as to how things were expected to play out.