CBA Record September 2017

After Loeb and Leopold were indicted for the killing, Loeb’s father hired Clarence Darrow to defend them. In a stunning move, Darrow pleaded the men guilty and called psychiatrists to testify in an attempt to convince the judge that he should not impose the death sentence. The defense psychiatrist testified that Loeb was unemotional when describing the crime’s gruesome details and noted that the men even stopped to eat with Bobby Franks’ dead body in the car. The psychiatrist said that Loeb showed no remorse, no regret, no compassion and had no normal human emotional responses. Loeb even told the psychiatrist that he had considered murdering his younger brother instead of Franks. The defense psychiatrist testified that Loeb had a disordered personal- ity which caused a pathological discord between his intellectual and emotional life. The public was outraged by the testimony and by the opinion. The prosecution psychiatrist testified that Loeb did not have a mental disease, his thinking was clear and his answers always responsive. He found no evidence of any mental defect, disorder, or any lack of development. On September 10, 1924, Judge John Caverly, Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, sentenced each man to life plus 99 years. The judge’s sentence was broadcast live on WGN radio. Albert Loeb, Richard’s father, died of a heart attack two months after Richard was sentenced. In January 1936, Richard Loeb was murdered by another prisoner while serv- ing his sentence. My uncle, James Mulroy, and his reporter partner, Alvin Goldstein, were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for “… their service toward the solution of the murder of Robert Franks.” This awful, senseless murder of a wealthy boy by two wealthy teenagers for no understandable reason horrified Chicago and worsened its reputation for violent crime. It also began a lively debate about the connection between mental illness and crime which has continued to this day.

Signature Series–Desmond Clark’s Six Principals of Winning Pro Football legend will speak on his remarkable journey through life and the

National Football League

CBA President Thomas Mulroy is pleased to present a new, free speaker series for CBA members–the

Signature Series. On October 12, Pro football legend Desmond (Dez) Clark will introduce his “6 Principals

of Winning”–a moving compilation of narratives from his early childhood throughout his 13-year career

in the NFL, and the leadership that took him to the 2006 Super Bowl. Desmond will take the audience on a

gripping journey through his stories of heart-wrenching personal challenges, overcoming obstacles, and

ultimately becoming one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, despite not being the most naturally

talented team member at any step along the way.

The program will take place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at The Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court,

Chicago, IL 60604. To register, call 312/554-2056 or email seminars@chicagobar.org (include your name,

address, email and phone). Members will receive 1 IL MCLE Credit.

About the Speaker

Whether on the field, in the classroom, the boardroom, or beyond, Clark will inspire and enlighten you

with heartfelt conversation on the power of diversity and the importance of having a personal standard of

excellence. Clark strives to help audiences see that both obstacles and opportunities shape character and

determine success, and delivers an incredible tale of personal achievement at the highest level.

#FBF #CBAHistory

The Chicago Bar Association

Myra Colby Bradwell was one of our nation’s leading advocates for women’s rights and played an important role in breaking through the barriers that restricted women from practicing law. As founder and owner of the Chicago Legal News she wrote many editorials about equality for women, and about the need for an association of lawyers in Chicago. Her December 1873 editorial was instrumental in The Chicago Bar Association’s formation in March 1874.

CBA RECORD 9