The Bismarck tribune., 1924-07-23

Chicago, July 23.-Calmly, but
with eyes moistened by tears. ia
cob Franks, wealthy father of the
14-year -old victim of Nathan Leo
pold 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, after States Attorney Rob-
ert E. Grove, in his opening state
ment had demanded again the
death penalty for the two brilliant,
19-year-old college stud nts,
Franks answered in firm voice
the queries of the prosecutor and
identified the small remnants of
clothing and other personal pos
sessions found on or near the body.
His testimony was unfinished when
the court recessed for luncheon.
The morning session was occu-
pied principally by the opening
statement of States Attorney Rob-
eft Grove, whose denunciation Of
the murderers. drew sharp objec-
tion from Clarence Darrow, attor-
ney for the defense.
1T was the most cruel, cowardiy,
dastardly murder ever committed
in the history of American juris-
prudence!" exclaimed Mr.. Grove.
"That is a ridiculous exagger-
ation," rejoined Mr.. Darrow.
The defendants sat apparently
unmoved throughout the States
Attorneys oration and e f t t h e
room almost jauntily as the court
recessed. They laughed audibly as
they started back to their cells.
Chicago, July 23.-The kidnapping
of 14-year-old Robert Franks by
Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard
Loeb was a strictly commercial
prosecution, the abductors wrote
in their first letter to the father
of their victim.
The letter, read today in the
opening of the hearing before Chief
Justice John R. Caverly to- deter
mine the penalty the two college
youths shall pay for the death Of
young Franks, to which for the
second time they affirmed their
lawyers plea of guilty. rcs-@
States Attorney Robert r.
Grove, in a formal opening state
ment, recited the boys planning
for the "little fellows murder"
from what he said was the incep-
ton of a plot in the minds of the
two brilliant sons of prominent
families here last fall.
Every detail of the planning.
preparation, unforeseen by the
young conspiratcrs, was reviewed
by the prosecutor.
Tells of Crime
He told of perfection of details
for the plot on May 81 of this year
and of careful deliberation after
wards on the question of who
should be their victims. The sons
of numerous wealthy families were
considered before young Franks
was agreed upon.
The defendants were styled
"cold, calculating murderers."
Listening to the states 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 one would whisper to
the other as various details of their
crime was heralded to the court.
Leopold frequently sat virtually
| motionless for periods of 10 to Is
minutes during the recital.
Leopold Motionless,
Loeb, however, frequently ad-
justed his stylish bow tie, moisten-
ed his lips with his tongue and
picked at specs on his sleeve.
Jacob Franks, father of the slain
boy, sat quietly beside his attorney
chewing gum with apparent de-
termination but wholly without
show of feeling.
Nathan Leopold Sr., father Of
one of the 19-year-old intellectuals
whose fate is at stake, sat within
q few feet Of his son and smother
son. His brow was creased with
deep lines for evidence Of a par
ent's bowed spirit and heavy heart.
Spain has no radio broadcasting
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