The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

The Loeb-Leopold Case
I think I have demonstrated beyond doubt that
the controlling motive in this case was money,
$10,000 and as much more as they could get after-
wards.
Now, how about their health? Leopold has a cal-
cified pineal gland. Dr. Woodyatt said that did not
mean anything. Nobody knows, and nobody has
testified on behalf of the defense that it did mean
anything. Glands, they tell us, do not generally
calcify until you are about thirty years of age.
Now, some people develop earlier in life than others.
I believe, in Africa, women are matured at nine
years of age and bear children at nine or ten years
of age. Leopold has developed a little earlier than
the average man. He has developed sexually and
mentally and if it means anything at all it means
that he has the intellect and brain and mind of a
man thirty years of age and that is all.
Doctors Hulbert and Bowman said there was not
anything pathological about Loeb except the minus
17 on his basal metabolism. And every doctor who
took the stand said that that was within the range
of normality.
Why, your Honor can look at them. You
have looked at them. You have observed them.
There is nothing the matter with them physically.
There is nothing the matter with them mentally. The
only fault is the trouble with their moral sense, and
that is not a defense in a criminal case.
Your Honor, Conners, 22 years of age, a Cairo
306