The episode explores the infamous Lizzie Borden murder case from 1892, where wealthy Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally killed. It details the family's strained dynamics, including Lizzie and her sister Emma's resentment towards their stepmother and father's frugality. The account then provides a minute-by-minute timeline of the murder day, highlighting inconsistencies in Lizzie's statements and suspicious events such as a burned dress and a "handless hatchet." Finally, the episode presents the prosecution's case, the defense's strategy, the "not guilty" verdict, and various alternative theories regarding the killer's identity, ultimately concluding with the author's belief in Lizzie's guilt.
