The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

The Loeb-Leopold Case
peradventure of a doubt, that these four episodes,
that these four crimes were known to Leopold, and
he blackmailed Loeb, he threatened Loeb with ex-
posure if he did not submit to him, and Loeb had to
go along with Leopold. And Leopold was willing to
go along with Loeb because he could use his body
for vile and unnatural practices. And I will prove
that, and I will prove that by the testimony of the
defense beyond a reasonable doubt.
" On their way back from Ann Arbor " (on page
98) " the plan of kidnaping a boy coupled with the
idea of ransom was first broached by the patient."
That is the first time that Loeb talked to Leopold
about kidnaping for ransom. Not a thrill, but
ransom. And I will demonstrate that money was
the motive here. I will demonstrate that they gam-
bled and they played for such high stakes that even
their millionaire companions could not play with
them. I win demonstrate that they had money that
they cannot account for unless it was the proceeds
of A, B, C or D.
" The patient had a definite boy in mind at that
time. The patient did not like this boy or his
family." So says this report.
A crime by mad boys without a purpose, without
any thought of revenge, without any thought of
money? Let's see. The first boy they contemplated
killing was a boy he did not like. Hatred, revenge,
was the motive in his mind at that time, but a desire
for money overcame that.
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