Leopold and Loeb Trial - The Clarence Darrow Collection

not set in yet. Both appeared to thoroughly enjoy the attention they received on their first
day in their new role as notorious murderers:
They smiled and talked and were quite cheerful. They seemed almost
proud of what they had done, and fairly basked in the close attention their
every word received. They gazed about, quite unabashed, at the curiosity
of seekers who pressed them close, as they stood on the bridge in Jackson
Park. 29
During the all day expedition, they gladly “pointed out in turn every article of clothing,
every shred of evidence, which the State was later to weave into a rope intended for their
necks.” 30
At one point during the corroboration trip, Leopold showed his utter disregard for the
victim. He seemed proud of the crime and the notoriety it brought him. As to kidnapping
and killing Bobby Franks, Leopold told some reporters that “[i]t was just an experiment.
It is as easy for us to justify as an entomologist in impaling a beetle on a pin.” 31 He
would later try to blame the reporters for taking his comments out of context. He must
have realized that such a comment would not sit well with a jury.
The prosecution would take Leopold and Loeb out to various locations on both Saturday
and Sunday. In addition to corroborating all important parts of Leopold and Loeb’s
confessions, Crowe had another very important reason to keep them on the move over
these two days. Their movement would keep Leopold and Loeb away from any defense
attorneys. Crowe knew without a doubt that a defense attorney would have told them to
stop talking, emphasizing the real possibility that they could very well end up with a rope
around their necks.
Crowe has Airtight Case
At the conclusion of the evidence gathering and corroboration trip, Robert Crowe was
extremely pleased and confident. He and his men had solved one of the most sensational
murder cases in Chicago history in just about a week and half. He had a rock solid case.
Leopold and Loeb had confessed in writing and corroborated nearly every detail of the
crime. They had both gone a long way towards placing themselves at the foot of the
gallows. That evening Crowe stated, “I have no hesitation in saying I would be ready to
go to trial tomorrow.” 32
Darrow for the Defense
When the Leopold and Loeb families heard about the confessions they were at first in
denial. But soon it became apparent that their children were murderers and both families
29
AMAZING CRIME AND TRIAL OF LEOPOLD AND LOEB, supra note 1, at 52.
30
Id. at 53.
31
Id. at 126.
32
CRIME OF THE CENTURY, supra note 2, at 122.
28