STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Islander affiliated with the Hub 17 art gallery in Stapleton has written a book on the Lizzie Borden murders of 1892.
The book, titled “Inadmissible: The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Murderous Women,” was published by Kimbra Eberly in December. A video series detailing the book’s subject matter also was posted on Hub 17′s social media.
Eberly -- a Stapleton resident originally from York, Pa. -- handles event planning, content creation and exhibitions maintenance at Hub 17. The video series was funded by an art fund grant through the Greater New York Arts Development of city Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). The book was funded in part by a DCA premier grant through Staten Island Arts.
“My obsession started 25 years ago when I became fascinated with the story of Lizzie Borden,” Eberly said. “I have read books, watched countless documentaries, television shows and movies, listened to lots of ideas and scenarios, and still found myself wanting more.”
Borden was tried and acquitted of the ax murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Mass., on Aug. 4, 1892. It was alleged that Borden tried to buy poison the day before their deaths. The crime’s sensational nature attracted national attention. According to historians, Borden was acquitted at trial because no blood was found on her and she had a “well-bred Christian” persona.
Today, the house where the murders occurred is a bed and breakfast as well as a museum.
“As a psychology major with a concentration in forensic psychology, I have always been interested in unsolved crimes,” Eberly said. “What makes a person want to commit murder? How does a person get to the point that he or she wants to kill?”
Eberly has visited the Borden home and taken part in events held at the residence in order to “understand Lizzie honestly” and to try to crack the case. One of the events was a paranormal investigation with professional investigators Brain Cano and Chris Mancuso.
Eberly recruited a local artist to create the cover of her 420-page book, which is currently on sale. ErinKelli Kilbane designed the cover of “Inadmissible,” which depicts Borden and other women who have been involved in murder cases through the years.
For more information on the book, visit kimbraeberly.net.