The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

The Loeb-Leopold Case
the conduct of their attorneys and their families —
with one honorable exception, and that is the old
man who sits in sackcloth and ashes, and who is
entitled to the sympathy of everybody, old Mr.
Leopold — with that one honorable exception,
everybody connected with the case has laughed and
sneered and jeered; and if the defendant Leopold
did not say that he would plead guilty before a
friendly judge, his actions demonstrate that he
thinks he has got one.
You have, your Honor, listened with a great deal
of patience and kindness and consideration to the
State and the defense. I am not going to trespass
unduly upon your Honor's time, and I am going to
close for the State. I believe that the facts and cir-
cumstances proved in this case demonstrate that a
crime has been committed by these two defendants,
and that no other punishment than the extreme
penalty of the law will fit it; and I leave the case
with you on behalf of the State of Illinois, and I
ask your Honor in the language of Holy Writ to
" Execute justice and righteousness in the land."
Judge Caverly took exception to the remarks of Mr.
Crowe relative to the " friendly judge " suggestion, " as
being a cowardly and dastardly assault upon the integrity
of this court."
Mr. Crowe: It was not so intended, your Honor
The Court: And it could not have been used for any other
purpose except to incite the mob and to try and intimidate
this court. It will be stricken from the record.
Mr. Crowe: If your Honor please, the State's Attorney had
no such intention
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