The Crime of the Century

Jessica Bauer
Washington School, Peoria

On May 21, 1924, a horrible murder took place in a suburb of Chicago. It was so sly and deviously planned, it could only be traced back to two intelligent boys. Their purpose: to elude investigators and shock the nation. Due to the stunning background of the killers, the triumphant trial, and the everlasting effect it held for future law, the Loeb and Leopold trial remains the "crime of the century."

The shocking crime committed on May 21, 1924, involved two intellectual and wealthy killers and one unsuspecting victim. Nathan Leopold and Robert Loeb had been planning their attack for months. While carrying out their plan, they kidnapped and killed wealthy Bobby Franks. Later, in a suburb of Chicago, they hid the body in a railroad culvert. Although their motive was unclear, their goal was to succeed in getting away with their devious scheme. But their ingenious plan collapsed when incriminating evidence against Leopold was found with the body. Since the two young men told contradictory stories and authorities unearthed evidence against them, they were found guilty of the murder. Because the crime was heinous, the punishment they would most likely receive was the death penalty. Therefore, the best they could hope for was a miracle to save them from their death sentence.

Growing up wealthy, intelligent, and easily influenced, the motive for Loeb and Leopold's crime was unleashed through their past. Both boys excelled intellectually from a young age. Leopold, the smarter and older of the two boys, had an I.Q. of 220, which was far above the genius level. Loeb, equally as talented, had an I.Q. of 160. Leopold graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago at the age of eighteen. Loeb graduated from the University of Michigan when he was only seventeen. Striving towards perfection, they both became excellent students at the top of their classes. On the other hand, being as smart as they were became a problem when it came to influences. In college Leopold stressed Friedrich Nietzsche's "superman" philosophy. He wanted to find a person who was above all the laws of society. Another influence to commit crimes came from Loeb's impressionable mind. When younger he read criminal stories and was fascinated with committing the "perfect crime." Leopold saw the "superman" in Loeb and was willing to be his partner in crime. Thus, the devious duo, who felt that they were above the law, started their hunt to commit the ultimate crime.

After they were arrested, the Loeb and Leopold families hired a criminal lawyer to defend their boys. Clarence Darrow, the famous criminal defense lawyer of his time, was chosen to represent the two boys. Since Darrow had saved more than a hundred criminals from the death penalty, both families had high hopes of Darrow saving their sons. But after so many years of fighting for justice, Darrow had grown worn and tired. Yet, despite his stress and age, he managed to accept their case. For Darrow, the money and the fame did not affect his decision to take the case. He accepted the case because he strongly opposed the death penalty and wanted to better humanity. As a result of his strong beliefs, Darrow summoned all of his strength and knowledge to help Loeb and Leopold through their trial.

Darrow took a new approach to Loeb and

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Leopold's murder case. First, he told both to plead guilty to the murder of Bobby Franks. In fact, he was the first lawyer to use the "plea of not guilty by reason of insanity." Primarily, the first point that Darrow wanted to prove was that both boys had mental illnesses. He argued their insanity because they exhibited no sensible motive for the murder and did not think that their crime was wrong. He hoped to establish that Loeb and Leopold were not responsible for the crime. His second point was that capital punishment was not often used in Illinois. For instance, Illinois never had a case where someone under twenty-three was given the death penalty. Therefore, he argued that giving young men the death sentence was wrong. Finally, Darrow's last goal was to convince the judge that execution was not a logical solution for their punishment, and it would only breed more hatred. On September 10, 1924, Leopold and Loeb were sentenced to life in prison. Although they were still found guilty of murder, Darrow reached his goal. His impressive arguments saved Loeb and Leopold from the death sentence and forever changed the face of law in Illinois.

The famous Leopold and Loeb trial affected the public and future of law in Illinois. The trial most influenced the use of capital punishment in Illinois. Since Loeb and Leopold's famous lawsuit, fewer death penalties have been declared. It is not frequently used today in Illinois. Next, the trial's plea affected outcomes of future criminal cases in Illinois. The "plea of not guilty by reason of insanity" introduced a new defense for guilty criminals. For years to come after their trial, Harrow's plea saved more people from the death sentence in Illinois. Finally, it also had an effect on society. The murder changed the public's view of wealthy people. Now, society learned that wealthy and intelligent people are not always good. Due to the overwhelming impact of the Loeb and Leopold trial, it became one of the most important influences on Illinois law.-[From Leigh B. Bienen and Gilbert Geis, Crimes of the Century; Andrew David, Famous Criminal Trials; Robert Grant and Joseph Katz, The Great Trials of the Twenties; Douglas Linder, Famous American Trials: Illinois vs. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, <http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/leoploebe/le>; Michael J. Vana, "Clarence Darrow," Illinois History Magazine.]

This parole board gathered in Springfield to discuss the parole of Nathan Leopold, one of the murderers of Bobby Franks. The board granted Leopold parole in 1958.

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