Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-06-04
CHICAGO BOY SLAYERS DID NOT
SIGN CONFESSIONS; STATE MUST
RELY on WITNESSES TESTIMONY
Indictments Expected by To-
morrow Night-0ther
Crimes Charged

CHICAGO. June 4.-Nathan Leo
pold, Jr., and Richard Loeb, mil
iionaires' sons, admitted kidnappers
and slayers of Robert Franks, school
boy son of wealthy Jacob Franks,
have signed no confessions of guilt,
It became known today, and the
state. which has asked the grand
Jury for murder indictments, must
rely on testimony of witnesses who
heard their statements.
Double guards have been placed to
watch the county Jail cells of the
pair day and night until they are
tried. Fearful that either may at
tempt to carry out previously ex-
pressed suicide plans, all food taken
othem is rigidly inspected and jail
employees have been cautioned to
prevent smuggling to them of any
means for self-destruction. The
precautions were taken after confer
ence of Jail officials with states
attorneys when the grand jury com
pleted its first days inquiry yester-
lay. Robert E. Grove, states attor-
ney. said he would not hurry the in
dictments against Loeb and Leopold
and that every available witness
found would be called to testify be-
fore the grand jury. Eleven VIII
nesses went before the jury yester-
day, and more than a score remain
to be heard.
That the defense will be MADE py
the most brilliant attorneys IN the
country is considered certain py
nrosecutors because of the reputeo
s1k,O0O.0O0 represented by the par
ents of the youths
nAl, the money in the world won
e.va these boys, however, declared
Michael Hughes. chief of detectives.
ssIt's the most nearly complete case
aver gotten together. Upon the IN
formation given solely by Leopold
and Loeb we have unearthed too
much corroborative evidence invoiv-
inc them to permit them to escape.
am certain they will receive the
death penalty"
Samuel A. Ettelson, former cor
noration counsel and friend or the
father of the slain boy, declared
sthere"ll be millions to fignt MIL
lions" .,. y,
"a confession means nothing"
Prosecutor Grove said. 1T might
easily be ruled out by trial judge.
1t Is in the witnesses to the incrlm-
mating statements the state places
most Gel1dnce.f diii CohhANSAs
in that manner we will be able to
get the two youths statements to the
trial Jury in the event they repudiate
their confessions and plead not
guilty to the crime"
Invstigation of possible connection
Of Leopold and Loeb in the shoot-
ing laSt fall of Freeman Louis
Tracy, university student, whose
body with bullet through the head,
was found near the school campus
has developed. that the bullet Kill
ing him fits a pistol belonging TO
Leopold. Friends of Tracy nave
said he knew both youths.
n Although Charles Ream, taxicap
driver. victim last fall of a mutila-
tion attack. has identified Leopold
and Loeb as his assailants. authorl-
ties are skeptica1 until an investiga-
fion. under way, has been completed
Jjnofficial inquiry also Is being made
into the death several months ago
Of Melvin Wolfe. pronounced a
suicide by the police after his pody
was found in Lake Michigan. wore
lived in the same neighborhood as
Franks, Leopold and Loeb.
The slain boys father was the
flrst witness to appear before the
grand jury After his testimony ne
expressed sorrow for the parents OF
the two youths. but said he would
be willing to spring the trap II the
boys were sentenced to be executed.