The phenomenon of serial killing throughout history has astounded many. The simple idea of taking not one human life, but many more, is something of a strange thought, being that most don’t have the ability. Especially with the void of emotion or remorse, it is even more extraordinary. What starts one on the track of killing? This remains unknown, as well as what goes through the killer’s mind as the act is being committed. Researchers and psychologists alike have tried studying this, but all that results is speculation and theory. One of these puzzling people is Lydia Sherman.
Lydia Sherman, originally Lydia Danbury, was born in Burlington, New Jersey in 1824. Orphaned at the age 9 months old, Sherman went to live with her uncle. At 16 years …show more content…
Newspapers all across America followed the trial with vigor and many people showed to the trials, even nicknamed her “The Derby Poisoner” and “The Poison Fiend” What made it surprising for everyone was the fact that she was very ordinary looking, showing up to the hearings as calm and suave. Her verdict was guilty of second degree murder and was to spend life in Wethersfield prison. It is said that if she “were a man, or been tried in another state, she would have been hanged.” (Wilhelm, par. 17). During the duration of time she was waiting to be sentenced she confessed to most the crimes she committed.
After 5 years in prison, Lydia escaped, with outside help, on the way to Rhode Island. Fortunately, she was caught after giving a proprietor's wife two different names (The CT, par. 7). She was brought back to Wethersfield. A year later, on May 16th, 1878, Lydia Sherman died from cancer. A life filled with murdering and romance, Lydia Sherman took the use of arsenic to create evil and death, finally meeting her end in prison after almost three decades. Her ordinary looks and brilliant timing of distributing the deadly poison made her practically invisible from suspicion for all her years of killing. Her murders and story will live on for the rest of
Lydia Sherman, originally Lydia Danbury, was born in Burlington, New Jersey in 1824. Orphaned at the age 9 months old, Sherman went to live with her uncle. At 16 years …show more content…
Newspapers all across America followed the trial with vigor and many people showed to the trials, even nicknamed her “The Derby Poisoner” and “The Poison Fiend” What made it surprising for everyone was the fact that she was very ordinary looking, showing up to the hearings as calm and suave. Her verdict was guilty of second degree murder and was to spend life in Wethersfield prison. It is said that if she “were a man, or been tried in another state, she would have been hanged.” (Wilhelm, par. 17). During the duration of time she was waiting to be sentenced she confessed to most the crimes she committed.
After 5 years in prison, Lydia escaped, with outside help, on the way to Rhode Island. Fortunately, she was caught after giving a proprietor's wife two different names (The CT, par. 7). She was brought back to Wethersfield. A year later, on May 16th, 1878, Lydia Sherman died from cancer. A life filled with murdering and romance, Lydia Sherman took the use of arsenic to create evil and death, finally meeting her end in prison after almost three decades. Her ordinary looks and brilliant timing of distributing the deadly poison made her practically invisible from suspicion for all her years of killing. Her murders and story will live on for the rest of