Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-07

Chicago, June 6.-Their millions will
not be used to save Nathan Leopold
Jr. and. Richard Loeb, confessed slay-
ers OF Robert Franks. from the gal
lows. a joint statement issued tonight
by the fathers Of the accused youths,
both Chicago millionaires. said.
only such defence as that to which
every human being is entitled will be
provided for their sons" the statement
said. Assuming that the facts in this
then the only proceeding they favor is
simple solemn investigation under
the law, touching the mental RESPONSE
bility Of their accused sons"
There will be no legal counsel out
side the attorneys now representing
the accused, with one possible excep-
ton. the statement said, and no large
sums will be spent for either legal or
medical talent and lin no event will
the families of the accused boys use
money in any attempt to defeat JUS
tiCe."
The statement, signed by Nathan F.
Leopold Sr.. wealthy box manufacture
er, and Albert II. Loeb, vice president
of Sears. Roebuck & Co.. was issued
Il few hours after their youthful sons,
brilliant university students. had been
indicted for murder and kidnapping for
ransom, each crime punishable by
death, in connection with the Staying
of 13-year-old Robert Franks, son of
another Chicago millionaire.
I'm view of the many statements that
large sums of money will be used in
the defence of Nathan =. Leopold Jr.
and Richard A. Loeb" the statement
said, "the families of the accused boys
desire to say that they have lived in
Chicago for more than so years and
the public can judge whether they have
conducted themselves in their relations
with this community in such n way
as to earn a standing as truthful. de-
cent. upright. law-abiding citizens. con-
scious of their duties and responsible
ties to the community in which they
live.
They have not the slightest incli-
nation or intention to use their means
to stage an unsightly legal battle with
an elaborate array Of counsel and an
array of high-priced alienists in an
attempt to defeat justice. Only such
defence as that to which every human
being is entitled will be provided for
their sons Assuming that the facts
in this case are substantially as pub
lished, then the only proceeding they
favor is n simple, solemn invcstfea-
ton under the law, touching the men,
tai responsibility of their accused sons.
They emphatically state that no
counsel for the accused boys VIII be
retained other than those lawyers now
representing them, with the possible,
hut not probable, retention Of one ad-
ditional local lawyer. There will be
no large sums of money spent, either
for legal or medical talent. The fees
to he paid to medical experts Will be
only such fees as are ordinary and
usual for similar testimony.
The lawyers representing the accus-
cd boys have agreed that the amount OF
their fees shall be determined by n
committee composed of the officers OF
the Chicago Bar Association.
"If the accused boys are found by
fury to be not mentally Responsible
their families. in accordance with their
conscious duty towards the community,
agree that the public must be fully
protected from any further menace by
these boys"