811

NATHAN LEOPOLD

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
NATHAN LEOPOLD
(1904 - 1971) American criminal who, with Richard Loeb, was convicted in the thrill-killing of a 14 year old. Saved from the chair by Clarence Darrow's brilliant defense. T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Stateville, Ill., Feb. 8, 1958, to Carl Haverlin of Broadcast Music in New York. Writing from prison, Leopold relates: "...Ralph and Elmer have told me in detail of your attempt to make arrangements for using me in the armed services in the event of my release. I am very sorry that it was felt that my being on parole would present insuperable difficulties. That would have been a truly wonderful opportunity. I am a little surprised, too. For I know that, during the war at least, the Army took a good many men on parole from here. Thanks ever so much from trying. No doubt you know of the momentous events of last Wednesday, when I had my hearing before the Parole Board. Elmer outdid himself in conducting the hearing and Ralph and Carl Sandburg both made wonderful talks. I would imagine that the New York papers carried an account of the hearing. What I think you may not know is that today's Chicago Tribune carried a very strong statement by Lieutenant Governor John W. Chapman advocating my release...I'm eagerly awaiting an advance copy of 'Life plus Ninety-Nine Years,' due any day now...". In early 1958, he was released on parole with the help of testimonies by poet Carl Sandburg and Meyer Levin, the author of "Compulsion" based on the case. Leopold moved to Puerto Rico to avoid harassment by the press and lived out the remainder of his life in relative peace and quiet. Fine.