Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-26
TESTIMONY THROWS
LIGHT ON MENTALITY
LOEB and LEOPOLD

Chicago, July 25.-(By A. Ply
Nathan Leopold. Jr., after his con-
fession to a part in the kidnapping
and murder of 14-year-old Robert
Franks, held life dear because he
believed he had important work to
do for the world"
Richard Loeb. co-partner in the
crime, believed whoever committed
that crime should be strung up
The mental reactions of both
youths to the consequences OF their
conspiracy were detailed today in
court.
Leopold, whose life, with that of
Loeb, is at stake, in the hearing be-
fore Chief Justice John r. Caverly
of the criminal court. expressed his
sentiment and revealed other proc
esses of his mind to the police Off
GERS who guarded him after the first
joint confessions to the crime.
Loeb gave his idea of a fit pun
ishment for the act in a conversation
with a newspaper reporter before
his arrest. He also gave reporters
tips" on how to trace some of the
activities of the kidnappers. ascrib-
ing his circumspection to the read
ing of detective stories.
James J. Cortland, city detec-
tive sergeant, testified concerning
Leopold's reactions at the conclu-
sion of the third days session of the
proceedings this afternoon. In rapid
fire sentences Cortland detailed the
conversations he had with Leopold
in an attempt to learn the motive
for the crime.
Leopold told me-" said Cortland.
, that he would not reveal the mo-
tive for the crime. When l asked
him this he said:
"'You must think I'm a fool. Do
you think / am going to tell all p?
Don't YOU think l have right to
! reserve something for my defense? q
Il asked him what defense he
would offer and Leopold said that
would plead not guilty. and go be-
fore jury which would surely hang
him. He said:
If l plead guilty before a friend
ly judge, l will get off with life i'm
prisonment'
He then told me that he believed
he had important work OF do for the
world. He said he had carried along
his bird studies to an advanced
stage and thought he might be able
to contribute something through
writings and research"
Cortland also testified that Leo
pold had told him of going to Sun
day school regularly as child and
of being advanced to the confrma-
! ton class. The witness added that
Leopold explained that his extreme
youth kept him from being con-
! firmed at that time in the Jewish
faith.
II was taught conscience until I
was eight years Old Leopold told
me-" said Cortland. "'but after that
time l drilled conscience out OF my
SELF
Leopold also said: Murder Is not
a crime in my code. The crime in
my code is in being caught"
The detective sergeant related that
Leopold had no sorrow for young
Franks or the latter's family.
Il don't give damn if they croalz
this minute" the defendant was
quoted by the witness as having
said
| Gortland's testimony climaXed the
days proceedings which took the
case into the realm of mental reac-
lions and motive, centering on Leo
pold. 1t revealed that Leopold had
inquired of instructors in criminal
law at the University of Chicago
what would be the consequences of
Il crime like the abduction and kill
ing of young Franks.
1t showed. too. that he had
planned suicide by means of poi
soned headache medicine as a way
out of the dilemma which he fore
saw would be his portion If he ever
reached the shadow of the gallows.
This was revealed in one of his con-
versations with Cortland, the latter
testified.