The incredible true story of the two trials of Maria Barbella…….. sentenced to death via the electric chair at the turn of the century.
Italian speaking Maria was taken in by a serial seducer with promises of marriage, only to be tossed aside and treated cruelly by her ' true love '. His throat is cut by Maria true, but what of the circumstances involved? Leniency for her ignorance? Mental illness? Epilepsy??
What I loved about the book is that it comes full circle.....I think there were some heavenly strings pulled for this author as she connects her ties to the story with descendants of Maria! ( )

The Lady of Sing Sing by Idanna Pucci is a true crime story about Maria Barbella, an illiterate, twenty-two-year-old Italian immigrant, who was tried for murder for cutting her lover's throat in 1895. She was the first woman to be sentenced to death via the electric chair. Maria's case from the start had all the trappings that would make a fantastic political thriller: a crooked judge, inept lawyers, and corrupt reporters. But this isn't some blockbuster movie. It's real life. The travesties of this trial touch on so many issues still facing our country over a hundred years later. Immigration, capital punishment, prejudice, greed, feminism, and so much more.

Maria was seduced by Domenico Cataldo, who is probably rotting in hell as I type this review. After many promises of marriage, Domenico refused to honor his commitment. Maria cuts his throat. And while that seems like a cut and dry case, there is much much more to the story. Maria has a sham of a trial, but in this she is championed by Cora Slocomb and Ms. Rebecca Foster. Both women make it their mission to make sure Maria gets the justice that she deserves. They plead her case, raise funds, and they confront the injustices that Maria faces.

The Lady of Sing Sing is written by Cora Slocomb's great-granddaughter, Idanna Pucci and narrated by Lisa Flanagan. Lisa did an outstanding job narrating this book. I sat captivated not only by Pucci's' words, but also by Flanagan's ability to bring these words to life. I felt as if I were sitting in the court room with Maria. I had no idea who Maria Barbella was before I started reading this book, but I couldn't help but notice the similarities between her trial and some of today's social issues. We've come so far and yet we still have a ways to go. Our justice system is broken, and it has been for a long time. And poor Maria Barbella was a victim of this crooked system. ( )