MURDERED: Bobby Franks (Part 2 of 2) | Chicago, IL 1924
Obscura: A True Crime Podcast
Justin Drown
4.6 • 2.9K Ratings
🗓️ 13 November 2024
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Chicago, 1924. Bobby Franks' murder shattered innocence. The second act unveils deeper darkness featuring real court recordings.
The case of Bobby Franks, a 14-year-old boy, sent shockwaves through Chicago when he was found murdered by two affluent young men. Known for his curiosity and intellect, Bobby was an innocent child drawn into an unimaginable plot. The city and the nation watched in horror as the details of the so-called 'Perfect Crime' emerged.
In May 1924, the brutal act unfolded in Chicago, leaving Bobby’s family devastated. His body was discovered after a harrowing hunt that spanned days, revealing the chilling ingenuity and cruelty of his murderers, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. They had meticulously planned the abduction and murder, driven by a twisted desire for notoriety and dominance.
The investigation unearthed vital pieces of evidence, including Leopold’s distinctive glasses found near the body. This crucial error led to their arrest and confession, sparked by their belief in their intellectual superiority.
The trial that followed was unprecedented, drawing the attention of the world. Clarence Darrow’s defense of the boys, focusing on psychology and society’s role, set a new legal precedent. The murderers were spared the death penalty, sentenced instead to life plus 99 years. Despite their incarceration, their story lingered as a dark chapter in legal history.
This episode features original court recordings, capturing the tense atmosphere of the trial. Listener discretion advised.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Listener, Obscura is supported by listeners like you. If you want more bonus content, including |
| 0:07.7 | black label, for those with a taste for the dark stuff, head over to patreon.com slash obscure |
| 0:14.1 | crime podcast. That's patreon.com slash obscure a crime podcast. Welcome i'm glad you're here take a seat next to the fire welcome to |
| 0:32.4 | obscure where we shine a light on the dark. Part 1. The Missing Sun. |
| 1:02.3 | The Missing Sun. |
| 1:02.4 | Jacob and Flora Franks are deeply concerned. |
| 1:16.5 | By 6.30 p.m. that day, the two had become worried. |
| 1:21.5 | Bobby had always taken the time to let them know if he was going to go somewhere with his friends. |
| 1:28.9 | This wasn't like him. |
| 1:36.2 | Now, late into the night, they paced the house. Earlier they checked with Bobby's friends, |
| 1:43.6 | his school, and even the Loeb tennis court. He was nowhere to be found. At nine in the evening, |
| 2:03.5 | their friend, Samuel A. Edelson arrived to provide moral support and advice. Samuel is an attorney and had given advice to Jacob in the past. He arrived at the Frank's home with a strange idea that gave the family hope. What if Bobby was locked in the school? |
| 2:10.9 | So Jacob called the headmaster again with this new idea. The headmaster lived far away from the school, so he gave some numbers of individuals with keys. After calling around, they finally reached the school athletic director. |
| 2:19.9 | When the group arrived at the school, they found their way in through a basement window. |
| 2:25.4 | The key wasn't needed. This excited Jacob, but the athletic director broke the mood. |
| 2:32.0 | If it was this easy for them, wouldn't Bobby have been capable of |
| 2:36.0 | leaving on his own? There was a pause in the group. Still, they pushed forward. Inside the |
| 2:42.9 | building, they shouted Bobby's name. Most of the group remained calm, but Jacob ran through |
| 2:48.5 | the halls, the sound of his shoes thunderously stomping down |
| 2:52.5 | the empty halls. His son's name bellowed from his mouth. It became obvious to the group that |
| 2:58.4 | Bobby wasn't there. Towards the end of the shouting, Jacob's voice took on an angered tone. After |
| 3:04.8 | he gave up, he stood bent over, taking in oxygen. Jacob is comforted by the |
... |
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