Infamous 1924 Chicago murder case of two wealthy teenagers, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who kidnapped and killed a 14-year-old boy named Bobby Franks. The case was particularly shocking due to the perpetrators’ privileged backgrounds and intellectual prowess.
The motive behind the crime remains unclear. Some theories suggest inspiration from Friedrich Nietzsche’s writings, a philosopher who explored concepts of “supermen” unbound by law, while others point to simple thrill-seeking.
Leopold and Loeb were apprehended and convicted, sentenced to death, but later received life imprisonment. While Loeb was murdered by a fellow inmate in 1936, Leopold was eventually paroled in 1958. The case continues to be a notorious part of American history.
A crucial piece of evidence in their capture was Leopold’s distinctive glasses. The specific prescription, frame type, and hinge design narrowed down the possibilities to an exceptionally small number, ultimately linking Leopold to the crime scene where the glasses were found.
