Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-24
MOOSE IS DEMANDED
AS GROVE ATTACKS
LEOPOLD AND LOEB
Defense Charges Attempts to
Stir Hatred - Elder
Franks on Stand

CHICAGO, July 2S.-(By the AS
sociated Press. Calmly, but with
eyes mostened by tears, Jacob
Franks, wealthy father Of the Ia
yearold victim of Nathan Leopold,
Jr., and Richard Loeb, recited on
the witness stand today the story Of
his boys disappearance.
! Called by the state as it's second
witness in the hearing which will
settle the fate of Leopold and Loeb,
after States Attorney Robert e.
Grove, in his opening statement, had
demanded again the death penalty
for the two brilliant 19-year-old col
lege youths, Franks answered in a
firm voice the queries of the prose
cutors and identified the small rem
nants of clothing and other personal
possessions found on or about the
body.
His testimony was unfinished when
the court recessed for luncheon.
The morning session was occupied
principally by the opening state
ment of States Attorney Grove
whose denunciation Of the kidnapers
and murderers of young Franks
drew sharp objections from Clarence
S. Darrow, chief counsel for the de-
/ Tense.
Mother Takes Stand
''It was the most cruel, coWardly,
| dastardly murder ever committed in
the history of American jurispru-
dence," exclaimed Mr. Grove.
"That is ridiculous exaggera-
ton" rejoined Mr.. barrow
The defendants sat apparently I'M
moved through the states attorneys
GRAFTON and left the room almost
jauntily when court adjourned for
luncheon. They laughed audibly as
they started back to their cells.
Mrs. Franks, mother of young
Robert, took the witness stand at
the Afternoon session.
Clad in modish attire of black, with
simple white trimmings, white
gloves and small black turban hat,
the grieved mother told in broken
voice, of her sons last day at home,
the circumstances of his disappear
ance, and Of the feverish, almost
distracted, efforts o fherself and hus
band to regain the custody Of their
boy.
She sobbed. Hervoice quivvered,
and her eyes filled with tearms as
hse was handed pieces of the lads
clothing for identification.
Fingerin gthe articles with tremu-
1ous hands, and apparently choking
back her grief, the mother nodded
her affirmation of the identity of the
articles.
The kidnapping was a strictly
commercial proposition" the abduc-
tors wrote in their first letter to the
father of their victim.
The letter was read today in the
opening of the hearing.
States Attorney Robert e. Grove,
in a formal opening statement, re
cited the story of the boys plan
ming for the little fellows MUIR
der from what he said was the in
ception of the plot in the minds of
the youths last fall, and demanded
inflic+ion of the death penalty.
Every detail of the planning and
preparation by tie young conspira-
tors was reviewed by the prose
curoF.
Leopold frequently sat virtually
motiOnleSs for periods of ten or fiji
teen minutes during the recital.
Elder Franks Chews Gum
Loeb, however, frequently adjust
ed his stylish bow tie, moistened his
lips with his tongue, and picked at
specks on his sleeves. Jacob Franks,
father of the slain boy, sat quietly
beside his attorney-cheWing gum
with apparent determination, but
wholly without outward show of
feeling.
Nathan Leopold, Sir, sat within a
teW feet of his son, and next to an
other son. His brow was creased
and deep lines OF grief bore evidence
of parents bowed spirit and heavy
heart
'Of course we are going to insist
on the death penalty at every ap-
propriate opportunity" Mr.. Grove
told newspaper men during a brief
recess.
Coming to a dramatic recital of
the first show of weakness by Loeb
during his first questioning by
States Attorney Grove the prosecu-
tor raised his voice and paced
nervously before the bench.
He told of Loebs excited cry for
a glass of water after he N&s told
that his companion had revealed
their secret.
Has Secret Evidence
my God" the youth cried. He
then offered to tell the whole story.
The same strategy applied later
to Leopold. Mr.. Grove said FRO
duced a like reaction.
Each accused the other of being
the actual murderer. and sought to
save his own neck the prosecutor
shouted.
At one point the states attorney
alluded to evidence he would ask to
present to the court in private"
THE nature of the evidence in
question: he said, "as will be seen,
and doubtless appreciated by the
court. is such that it would be i'm
proper to reveal it in open court"
He made no alIusion to the sub
ject matter of such evidence.
Cold. Calculating Murderers"
He told of the perfection of the
details for their plot on May 21,
this year. and of a careful DELHI
GRAFTON afterward on the question
of who should be their victim
The sons of numerous wealthy
families were considered before
young Franks was agreed upon.
The defendants We're styled cold,
! calculating murderers."
Listening to the state recital Of
the details Of the boys death with
apparent equanimity of spirit, the
two defendants sat calmly in their
chairs behind their counsel
Frequently enc would whisper to
the other as various details of their
crime We're heralded to the court.
In the name of the people of the
state of Illinois and of the parent
hood and childhood of the state. we
demand the death penalty for both
OF these cold-blooded. and vicious
murderers." said Mr.. Grove in con.
Guiding his statement.
barrow Gets Into Action
Clarence Darrow. 67-year-old veter-
an OF the Chicago bar. the chief de-
tense counsel. Immediately attacked