On Christmas night, 1843, the bodies of Emeline Houseman and her baby, Ann Eliza, were found burned and bludgeoned to death inside their scorched Staten Island home. Suspicion soon fell upon Emeline's sister-in-law, the scandalous Polly Bodine, and the story of "the Christmas murders" would give birth to tabloid justice.

Constitutional lawyer and author Alex Hortis details the life and trials of the infamous Polly Bodine, as detailed in his book, The Witch of New York.

Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno

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