The Washington times., 1936-02-01
HELD
LOEB DEATH
PL07TER

Nathan Leopold, Jr., OF the actual
murder Of little Bobbie Franks,
and nurtured by jealousy Of Loeb's
popularity with his fellow-convicts
was advanced today as q possible
solution to the razor-Slaying Of
Loeb by q fellow.convict last Tues
day.
Reiterating his conviction that
Loeb was put on the spot, !"
States Attorney william r. Nc
Cabe. while not specifically accus-
ing Leopold of having a hand in
the.murder plot, declared today he
had information that the sullen
Leopold headed q faction which
thoroughly hated the handsome
and popular Loeb.
Loeb staggered from q prison
bathroom last Tuesday, blood
streaming from Sc gashes inflicted
on his nude body by James Day,
q fellow convict.
Days Story Disbelieved
Stating his utter disbelief" Of
the self-defense story advanced
by Day, Prosecutor McCabe de-
clared. today:
Loeb was popular, well liked
because he was liberal and DEM
Ocratic, Leopold, on the other
hand, was probably the only
other prisoner who was L6eb's
mental equal. but he was snOb-
bish and exclusive and unpOp-
ular. Leopold, I am specifically
Informed, was extremely jealous
Of his friends popularity, and
amarted under the situation.
1T Is certainly mot beyond
the realm Of possibility that
Leopold wanted Loeb out of the
way and encouraged Day In his
actions"
This startling development re-
called the testimony Of alieniStS
at the time Of the trial Of the two
wealthy youths for the murder Of
Bobbie Franks. They testified
Loeb was the leader, with Leo.
pold the faithful, adoring fol-
lower, forever heaping Goals Of
praise on Loeb's blazing ego.
Enmity Recalled
It recalled the enmity Of the
pair. who had shared the thrill
Of wanton murder when in his
confession Loeb accused Leopold
Of raining the fatal chisel blows
ON the skull Of Bobbie Franks.
And it recalled rumors that
Seeped out Of the high, bleak peni-
tentiary walls that that enmity
had continued through the years,
famed by jealousy.
McCabe'S startling statement
followed closely on the heels Of
his earlier declaration that he had
first obtained information Loeb
was put on the spot" from the
Rev. ElegiuS Weir, Catholic chap.
lain Of the prison.
The dying Loeb, McCabe said
he had learned from Fath n
Weir, gave the priest information
indicating his murder was plotted
by prison gang"
A. L. Bowen, State superin.
tendent Of public welfare, de.
clared early today on his arrival
from Springfield that he also
does not believe Days story and
concurS with McCabe's conviction
Loeb was the victim Of a care.
fully and long-planned murder
plot.
To Question Leopold
Bowen said he would question
Leopold today. He also planned
to question other inmates of cell
house &C." where Loeb, Leopold
and Day were quartered.
In a statement to the prison
pSychiatrist Day declared Loeb
had made prison life miserable
for him because he answered
Eoeb's Objectionable advances
with rebuffS; that Loeb hac
threatened him: and that Loek
attacked him with the razor last
Tuesday. He wrested the razor
from Loeb, he said, and slashec
at Loeb in a blind, raging terror
Since making that statement
Day has refused to answer al
questions. Yesterday when Nc
Cabe attempted to question tht
2S-year-old youth, Day blurted:
'4'I'm going to stand on my
constitutional rights. I've told
an I can tell. I'll tell 1t all
In court"
Confronted with enlarged pho
toeraphs Of Loeb's nude body
1acerated by the So razor slashe'
be had inflicted, Day covered
his eyes with his hands, wept
Historically, but refused to an
Swer the prosecutors questions
Warden Denies Charges
Meanwhile, as probe of thu
Staying continued, bald and ugly
charges Of prison maladministra
tion were made, allegations vehe
mently denied by Warden JOSEPH
Ragen.
Stories of the prison dominance
Of Loeb and Leopold who alleged!
used their wealth to make them
selves virtual dictators within tn
penitentiary walls circulated, anC
Investigator revealed they hat
learned Loeb and Leopold werI
allowed to have large amount
Of money on deposit in the prison
office; had keys to the. prisol
library and many offices ant
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