The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-02
LEOPOLD JOKES AS HE REVISITS SCENE OF CRIME Rich Youth Blames Com paniOn For Actual
 Staying POLICE ARE LED
 TO NEW EVIDENCE Loeb Denounced For His Weakness In Making
 Confession

CHICAGO, June 1.-Reeovery of a metal belt buckle worn by Rob- ert Franks, co-heir to $4,000,000 estate, who was kidnapped, accord ing to their confession, and killed by Nahtan E.. Leopold, IT,, and Richard A. Loeb, likewise sons of millionaires, was found today as the pair made their second trip of the day over the route taken on the day of Franks disappearance and death. Shoes worn by the youth were re- covered yesterday near Hammond, Ind, where they had been buried.
 Attorneys temporarily retained by the Loeb family were prepared to go into court tomorrow morning to-get permission to talk with their client, following the refusal of States Attorney Grove to permit them to do so. The attorneys al- legged the youth was being examined in the states attorneys office by alienists, and this is objected to un- less an attorney is present, they ex- plained.
 Blames Loeb
 During the second trip this afternoon a reporter seated himself in the same automobile with Leopold and obtained statements from him relative to the crime. Leopold denounced Loeb, say ing the latter planned the Kidnapping and staying, but admitted that he was equally guilty, and that he wrote the $10,000 ransom letter sent to the Franks home.
 Tt was Loeb said Leopold, ''whO enticed Franks into the car, and it was he who struck the boy the next instant. Weapons are so repugnant to me that it would have been impo. sible for me to strike the blow that killed Franks.
 T was driving. while Loeb was sit. ting in the back seat. The side cur. tains were on. and Loeb leaned over the front seat, opened the door and called:
 "'Come here. Robert we will ride you home.' No replied the boy, its only two blocks, I'll walk
 "'Come here anyway, said Dick. I want to tell you about a new tennis racquet Franks came across the street and hopped upon the running board. Get in,' said Loeb,' want you to meet Nathan Leopold
 Over In a Minute"
 Franks got in and the next moment Dick struck him on the head and drew a bandage around his neck, strangling him. It was all over in a minute. sat there, sick, while the kid kicked and struggled beside me.
 II rented the car myself, and of course was driving, so that 1 could not have struck Franks, to say nothing of my repugnance to violence. It makes no difference, however, which of us did the actual killing. My only regret is that Loeb is so weak as to accuse me, but he thinks that by proving me the actual slayer, he will go free. 1 know the law, and we are both principals in the first degree"
 Leopold bitterly denounced Loeb for what he termed the latters weakness and became so vehement that he nearly collapsed, asking for a glass of water containing q few drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia. Then he revived and asked that a message be sent to Loeb saying:
 Tell him I am very much surprised that he fears death; that he was so weak as to confess and later to faint under the strain. Just a weakling, after all"
 Laughs and Jokes
 Aside from this Outburst against his confessed aid in the Kidnapping and slay ing, Leopold laughed and joked, even making jests at Chief of Detectives Hughes.
 Once, for example, he asked the chief if he knew that Caesar was married to an Irish woman.
 You don't tell me" said the chief.
 Yep" said Leopold. Tn the nine teenth chapter, fourth paragraph, you can read that he married woman of the name of Bridget, and that is a good old Irish name, isn't it!"
 That it is," said the chief.
 Both youths had spent the night in police station, and while neither slept in their cells, Leopold had appeared calm when the officers called for the prisoners in the morning. He also ex- changed pleasantries with a waitress, but Loeb was much disturbed. His face was drawn and he ate little or nothing.
 The waitress finally learned the iden- tity of the lads and all but collapsed.
 Directs Car
 Two cars bearing Leopold and Loeb and several officers started for Jackson park where search was being made for the typewriter on which Leopold said he wrote the extOrtion letter. Leopold sat in a rear seat with Chief Hughes and directed the driving When thav