Psychiatric Examinations
On this day the defense psychiatrists interviewed Anna, Allan and Jacob Loeb for information about their family history and Richard Loeb’s background.
Newspapers reported that the defense was planning to declare Leopold the mastermind of the crime and the insane one, and in doing so would try to “save” Loeb by saying he had been dominated by Leopold and was still capable of redemption.
William Krohn, an alienist working for the State, declared that rather than being insane “they are just little smart alecks,” and he didn’t believe that was sufficient to keep a murderer from the gallows.
Reporter Conversations
A reporter asked Leopold: “Do you ever have any trouble with money? Do any of the prisoners steal from each other?”
Young Leopold was emphatic in his answer. “That’s the one thing about prisoners here: they won’t double-cross a buddy in any way. To steal from him or to turn state’s evidence against him are the two unpardonable crimes. Since I have been here I have learned that there is honor among thieves.”
Leopold remarked that when he saw a new reporter who hadn’t seen him before trying to glimpse him through the steel lattice of the bullpen, “that reminded me of an incident in my life. I heard that a sea lion was being exhibited. To view it was a great desire. I presume this newspaper reporter’s curiosity was similar to mine. A newspaperman who hasn’t seen me is just as interesting to me as that sea lion was.”
Blame Game
Two psychiatrists gave their opinion on the causes for the Leopold-Loeb crime today, turning the blame away from their schooling and towards their upbringing. Dr. Kennedy stated that “Leopold and Loeb are intellectual dubs and moral paupers…Whenever either of them wanted anything he had merely to push a button and servants danced attendance upon him. Thus, they became jaded, satiated, and began to look around for new thrills. They found the thrill in killing. Nero and Caligula…was porotypes of Leopold and Loeb.”
Both doctors declared Leopold and Loeb knew right from wrong, but weren’t in full control of their actions, recommending they be placed in a mental institution rather than prison or putting them to death.
Sources
- Chicago Daily Journal, June 15, 1924
- Chicago Tribune, June 16, 1924
- Detroit Times, June 15, 1924
- Northwestern University, Harold Hulbert Papers
The Lives and Legends of Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold 