The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-21

UNEXPECTEDLY
ADMIT GUILT
Plans to Stand Trial Are
Abandoned by Boys and
Their Several Attorneys
ENTER FORMAL PLEAS
Hearing to be Held for the
Degree of Punishment for
The Boys Is Given
CELLS GUARDED


Chicago, July 2l.-Late this
afternoon Sheriff Hoffman an
nOunced that extra guards had
been assigned to the cells of
Nathan Leopold and Richard
! Loeb to preclude an attempt at
suicide.
Extra guards will be station
ed at their cells night and day."
he said.
Chicago, July 21.-(By the
A. P)-The fate of Nathan
Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb,
indicted for the murder of a.
year-old Robert Franks, was
rested today "in the mercy of
the court"
The net result from a plea
of guilty" made today in
court by Clarence F. Darrow,'
chief counsel for the boys, and
affirmed by them, latter they
had been duly warned" by the
court of the consequences of
this plea"
In entering the plea Of guilty,
Attorney Darrow said that the de-
fense admitted the correctness Of
the facts, Substantially as printed
in the newspapers" '.
He asked permission of the
court, however, Ito offer evidence
as to the mental condition of the
young men and their degree of re-
sponsibility."
The defense was willing to sub
NIT the question of mentality to
joint conference of alienists en-
ployed by the state and defense
but Robert Grove, states attorney.
objected to this, saying:
"The state is in position to show
that these boys are not only guilty
of the facts which they here admit,
but beyond any reasonable doubt
they are sane and fully appreciate
the consequence Of their act"
To Have Hearing
The degree of punishment, which
may vary from indeterminate
prison sentence, life sentence in
the penitentiary, incarceration in
an asylum or death, will he deter
mined after hearing which is to
start Wednesday morning at 10
o'clock.
Judge TO Hear Facts
Judge John R. Caverly agreed
with the attorneys to hear such
evidence both as to facts and men,
tai responsibility, as the two sides
might wish to present him for his
information.
Judge Caverly, realizing the
grave responsibility which the sud-
den turn in the notorious case
placed upon him, told the attorneys
he would let nothing interfere with
as speedy conclusion of the hear
ing as possible.
The youthful defendants, only
slightly wan from their incarcer-
alton in Jail, greeted their attor-
neys with smiles as they entered
court and calmly affirmed the plea
entered in their behalf by Mr.. Dar-
row.
Both Answer
Leopold was called first to the
bar Of the court and was asked
this question:
knowing that the court may
sentence you to death, to imprison-
ment for life or term of years,
do you still desire to plead guilty?"
Eyes, sir" was the response.
The same question was asked Of
Loeb and the answer Twas identical.
Both boys were neatly clad,
freshly shaven and and wore cor
rectly fashioned bow ties.
Aside from their first greeting
to the counsel and their initial
glances about the crowded space
before the bench. they, gave little
evidence cf curiosity in the pro-
ceedings.
Both sat quietly in front Of
guards who brought them into
court.
Other Murders Hinted
Leopold and Loeb are charged
with kidnapping and Staying Robert
Franks, the little school boy whose
nude body was found in a railroad
culvert nearly two months ago.
They have confessed they killed the
boy-killed him for the experience
cf killing" and with the hope of
getting $4,000 ransom from Jacob
Franks, the millionaire father, on
the side. They failed to get the
ransom.
Ever since Leopold and Loeb con-
fessed to killing the Franks Boy
there have been rumors that other
crimes might be traced to them.
They intimated as much in their
confessions.
There are a couple Of mysteries
/ might be able to clear up," Leo
pold told States Attorney Grove
during his confession. Il
One Of the limited crimes va the
Staying Of Freeman Z. Tracy. Ira