Guilty Of Murder (Hawera and Normanby Star, 7 October 1920)

On October 6, 1920, Eugenie Falleni was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of Annie Burkett at Chatswood in 1917. The trial attracted significant public interest, drawing crowds to the court over its two-day duration. Falleni's case was particularly notable due to her unusual life story; she had been living in male attire and had undergone two marriage ceremonies with women. Initially, Falleni, who had married a man named Martello in Italy, emigrated to New Zealand where she lived for several years. After moving to Sydney with her daughter, she adopted male clothing and identity, working as a man in the community. In 1917, she entered into a marriage with widow Annie Burkett. However, months later, Burkett's remains were discovered in the aftermath of a fire in the bush at Chatswood, leading authorities to initially believe that she had accidentally fallen into the blaze. Originally recorded as an accidental death, new evidence eventually surfaced, prompting police to charge Falleni with murder. The trial, characterized by its public fascination with Falleni's gender identity and the circumstances surrounding Burkett's death, reached a dramatic conclusion with the verdict of guilty. Falleni, who had previously appeared in court dressed as a man, reverted to wearing women's clothing for her final court appearance before her sentencing. This case not only highlighted issues of gender identity during a time of less acceptance but also captivated public attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the complexities of Falleni's life story.

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eugene falleni, harry crawford