The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-07-23
FATHER OF MURDERED ON STAND
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Continued
Leopold and Loeb ''practiced throw
ing a bundle from moving Michi-
gan Central train. planning to have
Robert Franks father board the
same train and throw off a bundle
Of $4,000 cash-their reason for
kidnapping of young Franks.
Registered at Hotel
Grove announced the State would
prove Loeb and Leopold registered at
a downtown hotel, and under as
sumed names-a plan intended to
hide their identity and aid their es-
cape. He said the prosecution would
show how the young murderers rent
ed an automobile from <the Rent-a-
Car Company-the automobile in
which Robert Franks was kidnapped
and slain.
Grove spoke easily and deliberate
ly. folding his arms and occasionally
striking the palm of his right hand
with his fist for emphasis. The court
room. filled to every nook and cor
ner, was silent.
Leopold, sitting at the. attorneys
table, looked off into space, occasion
ally glancing toward Grove. Young
Loeb seemed more interested cross.
&ing his legs and gazing steadfastly
at the States attorney.
Grove told ROW the young slayers
went to Peoria, ILL.,, registered at a
hotel and attempted to establish
themselves as prosperous business
men.
At this point Benjamin Bachrach
turned and whispered in Loeb's ear.
Loeb nodded and passed some word
along to Leopold, who also nodded,
smiled a bit wistfully, then turned
away.
Ransom Letter Shown.
Grove then called for the original
copy of the 10 900 ransom letter sent
to Jacob Franks, the slain boys
father shortly after the murder.
: Leopold, for the first time, ap-
peared interested.
This letter, couched in fawless
English and perfectly punctuated,
was one of his prides.
The letter warned Franks that his
son might be injured or killed I'M
less he delivered the $4,000 accord
ing to instructions. The letter was
signed George Johnson"
Grove said the letter had been
written long before the murderers
decided upon their victim. Not I'M
I'll after young Franks was killed
cid they address the letter to Franks.
They had TO consult a telephone
directory to find the Franks adj
dress.
This. Grove argued, showed the
cold blooded nature Of the crime
They longed to kill-they cared not
who their victim was. the States
attorney said. 1t was only by chance
Grove said. that they fell upon the
Franks boy.
THE evidence will show that the
boys went TO the Leopold home.
where they obtained a can of ether
which Leopold used in ether1zing
birds, =. Grove said, "They secured
tape and. gags and set out in the
rented automobile. stopped at a drug
store and bought acid. which they
intended to use in burning away the
features of their little victim.
"Only because John Levinson.
another small millionaires son,
hurried nome through an alley in
stead of following the sidewalk was
this boy saved from the fate that be-
fell Robert Franks" Grove de-
clared.
Leopold and Loeb. according to
Grove, drove their automobile to the
Harvard private school. stopping a
few hundred feet from the play
ground, in order to avoid suspicion.
Watched Ball Game
They watched a score of boys
playing ball and argued between
themselves as to which ones they
should kidnap and murder. They
decided upon young Levinson, but
when they missed him they decided
the Franks boy would be their vic
tim. They took notice of the fact
that Roberts father was a million
aire, Grove said, and therefore
would be willing to pay the ransom.
Seeing Robert Franks swinging
gaily along a sunlit street these two
defendants drove along side of him
and invited the little youngster to
get in for a ride" Grove said.
"While one Of the boys drove, the
other leaned over from the rear seal
and struck that innocent child over
the head with tape-bound chisel
The boy was pulled back into the
back seat and covered with blankets.
Then Leopold and Loeb drove
through the south side of the city
and prepared to do away with their
"They prepared the hydroch1oric
acid and it was Leopold who tossed
the burning acid on his face. The
ether was not needed for the little
boy-just an hour earlier a happy
school boy-was dead"
Grove then described how Leopold
and Loeb carried the boys body to
the culvert near the city limits,
stripped it, hid it carefully from the
nearby road and then drove back
to the Leopold home, where they
burned the boys clothes.
He told Of Leopold throwing the
chisel from the automobile, where it
was later found. He related the ex-
perience of the two boys when they
took their victims shoes and belt
and such articles as would not burn
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