New Britain herald., 1924-07-25
Chicago Newspapernen Tell of Tips" For Scoops That Both Boys Gave Them On Murder Mystery.
Prosecution Traces Every Step in CircumstantiaI Evidence Which Resulted in Complete Confessions.
By Tho Associated Press.

| By Tho Associated Press. Chicago. July 25.-The weaving of flimsy threads of eircumstantial eu- dence into the finely meshed web which holds Nathan Leopold, Jr., and Richard Loeb guilty of the kidnap- ping and murder Of Robert Franks was recounted today by witnesses who helped bring the wealthy young col- lege students to the mercy of the court"
 Weave Web Of Suspicion.
 Police officers, newspaper reporters, and friend of one of the boys were fore Judge John R. Caverly to tell of the first hint of suspicion directed against the pair and of the develop ment of chain of accusatiye evidence which led eventually to the confession and guilty pleas.
 Tipped on Reporter.
 Howard Mayer, a Chicago reporter and student at the University of Chi- cago with the two defendants, told of Loeb's effort two days after the murder to give his scoop by sug- gesting the probable course of the kidnappers in collecting the ransom money from Jacob Franks, father of the slain boy.
 Don't use my name in the story" Loeb exclaimed to another reporter, to whom he had given a 'hot tip."
 Loeb's cut to him on May 2S, Mayer testified. suggested that he go to the drugstore to which the ransom letter written to the elder Franks directed the parents to call for "Mr. John son." who would give him instructions for depositng of the ransom money.
 Advocated Hanging.
 Whoever committed that crime should be strung up," Loeb told AL win Goldstein, reporter for the Chicago Daily News, on the day young Franks body was found, the latter testified.
 Two friends of Leopold earlier de- scribed birding expeditions" in the vicinity of the culvert with Leopold and other students of ornithology. which was Leopold's hobby.
 Hugh Byrne, police officer, told of the finding on May 22 in the vicinity of the culvert, which yielded young Franks body, of q tan woolen sock Identified Monday by the lads par snts as that of their son.
 Another officer told of the defend ants leading a searching squad to Hesseville, Ind, where shoes, belt, buckle and class pin all previously identified by the parents as the be- ongings of Robert, were found.
 Fourteen state witnesses were ex- lmined at the morning session bring ng the total to 61 the total called ir wo days and half of court proceed Ire.
 They moved so rapidly through the witness stand that luncheon recess anne half an hour ahead of scheduled ime, to permit the state to prepare additional witnesses for the after loon session.
 Loeb and Leopold fingered in court or 8 few minutes exchanging assur- ,nces with relatives.
 Talks to His Father.
 Leopold spoke briefly with his aged ather.
 Leopold, his arm across his bro hers shoulder, while the latter clasp he defendants waist, whispered for everal minutes, then nodded and pat ed his brother on the back as he urned to submit himself again to the ustody of his jail escort.
 Today's Procedure
 No abatement of interest was mani est when the third days hearing gainst Nathan Leopold, Jr., and richard Loeb, who have pleaded uilty to kidnapping and murdering ,obert Franks. opened before Judge averly There was the same knot f dyed-in-the-woo court fans about 1e entrance to the building, the same ager watching by early spectators ho gained admittance to the court pom and the same preliminary ,urrying of court attaches.
 The big steel cabinet full of state yhibits was bumped noisily into the pom from the 'bull pen" where it kept overnight
 A return of bright sunshine out COTS was a signal for a doffing of pats. Judge Caverly, who started the caring in the formal robes of his ffice. discarded them after the first ay and let it be known that shirt eeves would not be considered UT on court dignity.
 Families Take Seats
 Jacob and Allan Loeb. uncle and rother of Richard and Nathan Leo old. Sr., and Foreman Leopold. fath- and brother of Nathan, who have