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After Loeb and Leopold were indicted
for the killing, Loeb’s father hired Clarence
Darrow to defend them. In a stunning
move, Darrow pleaded the men guilty
and called psychiatrists to testify in an
attempt to convince the judge that he
should not impose the death sentence. The
defense psychiatrist testified that Loeb was
unemotional when describing the crime’s
gruesome details and noted that the men
even stopped to eat with Bobby Franks’
dead body in the car. The psychiatrist
said that Loeb showed no remorse, no
regret, no compassion and had no normal
human emotional responses. Loeb even
told the psychiatrist that he had considered
murdering his younger brother instead of
Franks. The defense psychiatrist testified
that Loeb had a disordered personal-
ity which caused a pathological discord
between his intellectual and emotional life.
The public was outraged by the testimony
and by the opinion.
The prosecution psychiatrist testified
that Loeb did not have a mental disease,
his thinking was clear and his answers
always responsive. He found no evidence
of any mental defect, disorder, or any lack
of development.
On September 10, 1924, Judge John
Caverly, Chief Justice of the Criminal
Court, sentenced each man to life plus 99
years. The judge’s sentence was broadcast
live on WGN radio.
Albert Loeb, Richard’s father, died of a
heart attack two months after Richard was
sentenced.
In January 1936, Richard Loeb was
murdered by another prisoner while serv-
ing his sentence.
My uncle, James Mulroy, and his
reporter partner, Alvin Goldstein, were
awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for “…
their service toward the solution of the
murder of Robert Franks.”
This awful, senseless murder of a
wealthy boy by two wealthy teenagers
for no understandable reason horrified
Chicago and worsened its reputation for
violent crime. It also began a lively debate
about the connection between mental
illness and crime which has continued to
this day.
#FBF #CBAHistory
The Chicago Bar Association
Myra Colby Bradwell was one of our nation’s leading advocates
for women’s rights and played an important role in breaking
through the barriers that restricted women from practicing law.
As founder and owner of the Chicago Legal News she wrote
many editorials about equality for women, and
about the need for an association of lawyers in Chicago.
Her December 1873 editorial was instrumental in
The Chicago Bar Association’s formation in March 1874.
Signature Series–Desmond Clark’s Six Principals of Winning
Pro Football legend will speak on his remarkable journey through life and the
National Football League
CBA President Thomas Mulroy is pleased to present a new, free speaker series for CBA members–the
Signature Series. On October 12, Pro football legend Desmond (Dez) Clark will introduce his “6 Principals
of Winning”–a moving compilation of narratives from his early childhood throughout his 13-year career
in the NFL, and the leadership that took him to the 2006 Super Bowl. Desmond will take the audience on a
gripping journey through his stories of heart-wrenching personal challenges, overcoming obstacles, and
ultimately becoming one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, despite not being the most naturally
talented team member at any step along the way.
The program will take place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at The Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court,
Chicago, IL 60604. To register, call 312/554-2056 or email
seminars@chicagobar.org(include your name,
address, email and phone). Members will receive 1 IL MCLE Credit.
About the Speaker
Whether on the field, in the classroom, the boardroom, or beyond, Clark will inspire and enlighten you
with heartfelt conversation on the power of diversity and the importance of having a personal standard of
excellence. Clark strives to help audiences see that both obstacles and opportunities shape character and
determine success, and delivers an incredible tale of personal achievement at the highest level.
CBA RECORD
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