The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

The Loeb-Leopold Case
Darrow walks in before the court, and makes a
virtue out of a necessity. He pleads both defend-
ants guilty before your Honor to murder, and to kid-
naping for ransom. There was no escape.
He asks your Honor for mercy, and he tells your
Honor that they are both youths, boys. What
mercy did they give that little tot?
Of course, your Honor, we all feel sorry for the
families of these defendants, highly respected citi-
zens in this community. Your Honor feels sorry
for them, and so do I; and you feel sorry for every
family, because they are the ones who always
suffer; and you feel sorry for the Franks family, and
you feel sorry for the mother who still believes that
her little boy will yet return.
Mr. Darrow: Where is the evidence on that, Mr.
Savage?
Mr. Savage: It is a fair inference.
Mr. Darrow: Oh!
Mr. Savage: That is fair to infer, your Honor;
that that mother who cherished the boy is still wait-
ing for his return from school; and then they ask
your Honor for mercy!
Why, your Honor, the law is made for all people,
rich and poor, Jew or Gentile, black or white.
And these two murderers sitting before your
Honor are not immune to that law. Justice sits by,
and the world looks on, and this community, the
community, your Honor, where every mother and
father should get down on their knees and give to