Down the Rabbit Hole

Abstract of the Preliminary Neuro-Psychiatric Examination of Nathan Leopold

Abstract of the Preliminary Neuro-Psychiatric Examination of Richard Loeb

Some time ago I read a few things about how Leopold reacted to Loeb‘s death. And can’t seem to find them or what source they‘re from again

The things being 1) that Leopold said he felt like half of him was dead 2) that he cried when he was alone in his cell and 3) that he described it as one of if not the worst year of his life

I thought they were in life+ but when I read through the part where he goes over Loeb‘s death I didn’t find them

Do you perhaps know more about it?

Thank you!

Sure thing!

The first two are in the article series Murder on His Conscience by James Bartlow Martin, published in the Saturday Evening Post, specifically part 3 for the first (Martin quotes Leopold: "I felt like half of me was dead," as he sat by Loeb's body in the hospital. The crying bit is in part 4 of that series: "Leopold believes that no one in prison ever has seen him weep. He has wept at the death of his father, his aunt, his eldest brother and Richard Loeb."

Loeb: I was studying history.

Crowe: Post graduate course?

Loeb: Yes, sir.

Leopold: I didn’t know Mr. Loeb was registered at school.

"Leopold was self-possessed, laughed and on one occasion he mimicked the laughter of someone who had been speaking to him, and laughed at the time.

“I have read with interest the paper by Mr. Leopold. We are obviously dealing with a clear an independent mentality…I believe Mr. Leopold should be encouraged to thorough study; after deeper scientific training he may produce something of permanent value.”

-There are still people who believe that Leopold and Loeb were innocent, their theories usually revolving around corrupt police or Clarence Darrow.

-Darrow continued to write to Leopold and Loeb while they were in jail, as did his wife, Ruby. Darrow said it was for the best when Loeb was killed.

-When Leopold lived in Puerto Rico he was very fond of his dogs, often taking them into his classroom while he taught. One was named Brownie.

-Loeb wore reading glasses for many more years and more often than Leopold did (who had stopped wearing them months before the murder).

-Leopold wrote a will before they were sentenced, which focused almost exclusively on his bird collection.

-The boys often fell asleep when the focus turned off them, both in court and during tests by the doctors and alienists.

Yeah like the guy playing Loeb wasn’t gay but the Leopold was and apparently that made things awkward? Yikes.