In 1895, 22-year-old Italian immigrant seamstress Maria Barbella was accused of murdering the man who seduced and dishonored her. Following a sensational trial filled with inept attorneys, a prejudiced judge, and inflammatory media coverage, Maria Barbella became the first woman to be sentenced to death in the newly invented electric chair.
In The Lady of Sing Sing, author Idanna Pucci the great-granddaughter of Cora Slocomb, chronicles this astounding story, one that remains relevant to key issues of our time, such as immigration, capital punishment, and women empowerment. Also participating in the discussion are Lynda Bruno, the great-granddaughter of Maria Barbella, and Duke University, professor Thomas Ferraro.