The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-09-11
BOY MURDERERS GO
TO PRISON FOR LIFE
LOEB AND LEOPOLD WHO
KILLED COMPANION IN COLD
BLOOD, SENTENCED
DEFENSE IS SATISFIED
YOUTHS WILL START THEIR
SERVICE AT JOLIET TODAY,
THURSDAY

lineage, Ill, OePI. W.
Sentence of life imprisonment fol-
the murder of 14-year-old Robert
Franks, and of 80 years inprison-
ment for kidnapping the boy, We're
1neted out today to Nathan f. Leo
pold, Jr., and Richard Loeb, by
Judge John R. Caverly. The youth
of the defendants, 18 and 10 years
was all that saved them from the
moose.
at would have been the path Of
least resistance to impose the ex'
treme penalty of the law" said the
gray-haired judge, in his decision
SIN choosing Imprisonment instead
of death, the court is moved chiefly
by the age of the defendants, boys
1S and 10 years. e..
cit is not for the court to say
that he will not in any case enforce
capital punishment, but he believes
it is Within his province to decline to
impose the sentence of death on per-
sons who are not of full age.
d
'This determination appears to be
in accordance with the progress OF
criminal law all over the world and to
the dictates of enlightened humanity
More than that, it seems to be in &C
cordance with the precedents in this
state.
"The records of Illinois show only
two cases of minors who were put to
death by legal process, to which the
number the court does not feel in
clined to make an addition"
Judge Caverly added that while
life Impeachment may not strike
the public imagination as forcibly
as would hanging" yet "to the Of
Tenders, particularly of the type they
are, the prolonged suffering of years
of confinement may we'll be the Sc.
Nerer form of retribution and. expia-
ton"
He pointed out that under the state
law it is within the discretion of the
department of public welfare never
to admit these defendants to parole
and that eff this course is preserved
in, the punishment will satisfy the
ends of justice and safeguard the in
terests of society,""
Robert E.. Grove, states attorney
in a formal statement issued immed-
lately after the session, said:
81 still believe that the death pen
atty is the only penalty feared by
murderers.
He said the responsibility for the
decision rests with the court alone
and that he had no desire to criticize
1T, but that he would continue to do
steverything within my power to en-
force the law honestly and vigorous
ay, without regard to the status of
the criminal"
f'It was all we could have asked
for said Clarence S. barrow, chief
counsel for defense. ''There will be
no appeal"
81 don't regard it as victory ex-
cept victory for justice" said Ben
jamin Bachrach of the defense coun-
sci, as he shook off those who offered
congratulations on the youths escape
from the moose. "Do not congratu-
late me personally .".19,
Nathan F. Leopold, ST., sat, silent
ly weeping. He offered no comment
and merely nodded his head when
friends grouped about him and whis-
pered in his ear. A
Foreman Leopold, Nathan's older
brother, relaxed visibly as the judge
reached the words in his statement
which meant life for the youths.
Nathan Leopold, ,Jr., and Rich
ard Loeb will begin their terms in
Joliet penitentiary Thursday morn
ing, officials of the criminal court
announced Wednesday evening.
The voluminouS details of prepar-