Leopold and Loeb

Who were these two young men charged with such heinous crimes? Why did they kidnap a young boy for $10,000?

It wasn't because Leopold and Loeb were destitute. It wasn't because they had no chance in life. Both came from wealthy, educated families in Hyde Park. So did Bobby Franks, their victim.

Loeb's father, Albert, was vice president of Sears, Roebuck. The Loebs lived in this house. Leopold's dad, Nathan Sr., a millionaire manufacturer, endlessly indulged his son's every desire since Nathan's mother died. The Leopolds lived here. Bobby's dad, Jacob Franks, was a retired pawnbroker. He and his wife Flora adored their son and lived across the street from the Loebs in a fantastic mansion.

Why had these privileged, wealthy teenagers murdered a young boy who lived across the street from Loeb? Why did they brutally kill a child who had played in "Dickie" Loeb's yard? Why should the court spare their lives when they had not spared Bobby's? And why were the Chicago newspapers and public so fascinated with this story?