A Deadly Pact
In 1924, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy and highly intelligent University of Chicago students, set out to commit the “perfect crime.” They shared a fascination with criminal mastermind theories and believed they were intellectually superior, leading them to plot the murder of a random victim.
The Chilling Act
On May 21, 1924, they lured 14-year-old Bobby Franks into a car under the pretense of giving him a ride. Once inside, Loeb struck Franks on the head with a chisel while Leopold drove. They then suffocated him to ensure his death. The duo disposed of Franks’s body in a culvert near Wolf Lake in Indiana, pouring hydrochloric acid on his face to hinder identification.
A Critical Mistake
Despite their meticulous planning, a pair of eyeglasses found near Franks’s body led investigators to Leopold. The unique hinges on the glasses were traced back to him, and after a lengthy interrogation, both men confessed to the crime.
The Trial and Sentence
During their trial, famed attorney Clarence Darrow argued against the death penalty, citing the defendants’ psychological state. On September 10, 1924, Leopold and Loeb were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and an additional 99 years for kidnapping.
The Perfect Crime That Wasn’t 🔪
A Deadly Pact
In 1924, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy and highly intelligent University of Chicago students, set out to commit the “perfect crime.” They shared a fascination with criminal mastermind theories and believed they were… pic.twitter.com/J8zMevW1xy— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 8, 2024