Leopold and Loeb confessed to a heinous murder. Clarence Darrow argued for mercy.

Eight of Robert"Bobby" Franks' friends from the Harvard private school he attended acted as pallbearers at the 14-year-old's funeral on May 25, 1924. Franks, the youngest son of millionaire Jacob Franks, was killed by Richard Loeb, 18, and Nathan Leopold Jr., 19, on May 21, 1924. The funeral service was held at the Franks home at 5052 Ellis Ave. and then Bobby's casket, guarded by six motorcycle police, was taken to Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

Jacob Franks, center, is the father of Robert “Bobby” Franks, who was murdered by Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb in 1924. Nathan Leopold Jr., second from left, and Richard Loeb, center right, during their trial for the murder of Bobby Franks in 1924. A rare picture of the cameramen who occupied the jury box at the Leopold and Loeb trail.

Clarence Darrow, standing center, Nathan Leopold Sr., father, second from right standing, and Atty. Benjamin Bachrach pose for a photo with Jacob Loeb, sitting from left, Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, in 1924. Chief defense attorney and noted Chicago lawyer, Clarence Darrow, seated, makes his case before Judge John R. Caverly in the murder case against Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold Jr., in the summer of 1924.

Instead, the typed letter provided another key piece of evidence for law enforcement, whose case quickly came together with murder charges against Loeb and Leopold. The horrific crime that captivated Chicago and beyond was quickly followed by legal proceedings that proved equally gripping, culminating in an eloquent closing argument for the defense that remains a touchstone for courtroom oratory.

“He does not believe in the laws that rule us, and the police are but obstructions which might stand in the way of living the life he has built,” Darrow said. Overcoming his initial hesitation, Jacob Loeb had gone to Darrow’s home in the Midway Apartments. Told Darrow was sleeping, Loeb barged his way in to see the lawyer and got down on his knees.Despite their wealth and connections, public opinion was solidly against Loeb and Leopold, giving them the underdog role Darrow relished. He was also motivated at least in part by cash-flow problems. “I knew I’d get a fair fee,” said Darrow, a high earner and free spender.

And Darrow knew the mountain of evidence against Loeb and Leopold was overwhelming. Elizabeth Slattter, Mrs. Leopold’s second maid, testified to seeing a typewriter in the Leopold home with a typeface that matched what could be seen on the ransom letter. Fellow students testified to using the typewriter in a cram session with Leopold.

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