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| Darrow Elated at
Caverly's Decision
Defense Attorney Says He Will Fight Capital Punishment in Illinois. Source: The Chicago Daily News, 10 September 1924. Clarence Darrow sighed with relief, turned around with a quizzical smile and shrugged his shoulders expressively. "I have always hated capital punishment," he said. "This decision at once caps my career as a criminal lawyer and starts my path in another direction. "This verdict so encourages me that I shall begin now to plan a definite campaign against capital punishment in Illinois. Perhaps I may be able to take up the matter with the legislature immediately." Explains Legal Implications. He was asked to explain legal implications of the verdict. "The apparent purpose of the ninety-nine year sentence in addition to life," Mr. Darrow went on, "is to block any attempt to parole these prisoners at the end of fifteen or twenty years. "On the ninety-nine year sentence the boys will be ineligible for parole, I believe, until after the expiration of thirty-seven years and some months. Perhaps this sentence is worse than a death penalty for the two boys, but not for their families." Crowe Makes Statement. State's Attorney Crowe immediately after the verdict made this statement. "When the state's attorney arrested the defendants, solved what was then a mystery and by the thoroughness of his preparation compelled the defendants to plead guilty, presented a mountain of evidence to the court and made his argument, his duty was fully performed. "He is in no measure reponsible for the decision of the court. The responsibility for that decision rests with the judge alone. Like all other law abiding citizens, when the court pronounces his decision. I must be content with it, because his decision in the case is final. "While I do not intend and have no desire to criticise the decision of the court, I still believe that the death penalty is the only penalty feared by the murderers. "Fathers and mothers in Cook county may rest assured as long as I remain state's attorney I will always do everything within my power to enforce the law honestly, fearlessly and vigorously without regard to the status of the criminal." Then, as an afterthought, he added: "Leopold won his bet." "No Victory," Says Bachrach. Attorney Benjamin Bachrach, associated with Mr. Darrow in the defense, protested that this verdict was not a "victory" for the defense. "There will be no appeal," he said. "We are through. "There is no occasion for any congratulations," he went on. "This is no victory for the defense. All we could look for was life imprisonment under the plea of guilty and that we have received. I do not see where it can be a victory for any one." Loeb's Uncle in Statement. Jacob M. Loeb, philanthropist uncle of Richard Loeb, was spokesman for the boys' families. In their name he issued the following statement: "On behalf of the Leopold and Loeb families there is but little to say. We have been spared the extreme penalty. What hae these families to look forward to? "Nathan F. Leopold, Sr., is 64 years old. He has lived in Chicago practically his entire life, coming here from Michigan as a boy. He has been an exemplary citizen. His youngest son was his special pride. He justly believed that this boy was a genius, a most brilliant student and a loving son. He honored him with his own name. He hoped that this boy of 19 would make his mark in the world, be a comfort and solace in his old age and accomplish tasks for the benefit of humanity. Now Mr. Leopold is crushed in spirit in his declining years. Richard Was Father's Pride. "Albert Loeb, my brother, has spent his entire life of fifty-six years in the city of Chicago. He came from the ranks: he worked his way through college. He became a lawyer of repute, then a great business man. He was always interested in every forward movement for communal welfare. His one hobby has always been his wife and children. He considered Dickie, the third boy, particularly talented. This son entered the University of Michigan at 14, and he was the youngest graduate of that college. He was always a most affectionate and loving son: never known in his home life to be disobedient, but was thoughtful and considerate of his parents and the members of the family until this terrible tragedy overtook them. It is pitiful that on account of illness, at a time like this, the father and mother are unable to be at the side of thier son. "Again I say, what have these two families, whose names ahve stood for everything that was good and reputable in the community, to look foward to? Their unfortunate boys, 19 years of age, must spend the rest of their lives in the penitentiary. What is there in the future but grief and sorrow, darkness and despair?" Nathan F. Leopold, Sr., father of "Babe," sat with bowed head, quaking, as Judge Caverly droned through the verdict. He looked up only at the word imprisonment and appeared to quiver. Later he said that he would never attempt to obtain the release of his son from the penitentiary. "You're sure that's your opinion?" he was asked. "Surely!" he replied emphatically. "Surely!" Franks Not in Court. Jacob Franks, father of the slain boy, was not in court at the time the verdict was read. Allen Loeb, who sat during the reading of the verdict with his head strained forward to hear, immediately left the courtroom to telephone his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Loeb, at Charlevoix [Michigan], "the good news." "And it is good news," he said, "if any news at all can be good news." . . . . . |
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Page authored: 23
January 1998 -
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