'The Crime of the Century,' a Century Later

In 1924, the Leopold and Loeb murder case captivated the public, sparking debates on understanding the minds of cold-blooded killers. The case, known as the "crime of the century," set a precedent for how criminal cases influenced the legal system and the use of psychiatry in trials throughout the 20th century. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy teenagers from Chicago, attempted to commit the "perfect crime" by kidnapping and murdering 14-year-old Bobby Franks. Despite their confession, they were spared from capital punishment with the help of renowned attorney Clarence Darrow. True-crime historian Kate Winkler Dawson highlights how the case solidified public interest in true crime and discusses the prosecution's use of emerging tools. The Leopold and Loeb case remains a significant historical event that continues to intrigue and raise questions about crime, psychology, and societal perceptions of violence.