CHICAGO MURDERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 7 June 1924, Page 9

CHICAGO MURDERS.

DEFENCE OF THE YOUTHS.

UNPRECEDENTED EFFORTS

FORECASTED

g y f'nLlp /Dr&s* Ap-confaMon—noT» ,r rl(fhV Received 9.5 p.m., June 6. NEW YORK, June 5.

The Chicago Grand Jury voted the indictments of Leopold and Loeb, on three charges of conspiracy to murder, kidnapping for ransom, and murder.

Mr Crowe asked that July 15 be fixed as the date of the trial. Leopold during an attempt to establish identification by a witness, attacked the guard, but was quickly subdued.

A woman to-day lodged 100,000 dollars suit against the youths charging them with having kidnapped and attacked her three months ago.

Unprecedented efforts will be made to save the ' youths from hanging, with which each charge in the indictment is punishable. The defence will attempt to prove the youths’ insanity. The parents have enlisted the aid of a number of noted lawyers. It is understood that Mr William Travers Jerome, who, while District Attorney, prosecuted Thaw, will be retained by the defence, which has already obtained the services of a group ot noted alienists.

One alienist epitomised the defences on a scientific basis, namely that over education and too much mental effort on the part of an im j mature brain, often leads to a form of psychosis, that may be evidenced in a desire to murder, or a perversion to kleptomania or drunkenness.. An attempt will also be made to destroy the value of the confessions, as evidence, on the ground that they were obtained under duress. The case will probably resolve itself into a legal battle between three of the wealthiest families. The American Press continues its campaign, favouring the infliction of the death penalty, as the best for all concerned.

MILLION TO DEFEND YOUTHS

By Cable—Pr*«* Association —Copyright NEW YORK, June 5. It is reported from Chicago that a million dollars have been placed at the disposal of Mr Clarence Darrow, chief defence attorney for Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the university students and sons of Chicago millionaires, indicted for the murdei and kidnapping for ransom of Robert Franks, the schoolboy son of another wealthy Chicagoan. The youths have confessed that the deed was done in order to secure excitement, and a 10,000 dollars ransom for a trip to Europe.