On this day in 1924, University of Chicago students Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold Jr murdered 14 year old Bobby Franks. The pair killed the boy as a ‘thrill killing’ in their attempt to perform the perfect crime. However, the two were caught and put on trial. They used their wealth and influence to hire famous defence lawyer Clarence Darrow who argued the pair could not be held morally accountable because they had been raised thinking they were superior and thus are not to blame for their actions. He was successful, and the men avoided the death penalty, instead getting life imprisonment.
S2O- a love story - You know the end is near when they convert the formal living room into a bedroom. We were all home from school for Thanksgiving. Mom told me that Grandma was not well and no longer had the strength to climb the spiral staircase to the second floor and her bedroom. So, the house keepers had moved the furniture around and placed a bed in the middle of the football field sized living room. There Grandma was propped up in her bed overlooking the Steinway.
“Hi Gram” I said. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.” “It’s not serious. Really, I’m fine” she said. How’s your playing going? You have to find time to practice if you’re going to make it to Carnegie Hall.” It’s going ok I lied. But, it’s hard to find a piano to practice on at school.” I sat down at the Steinway and attempted to play Greensleeves which I knew was one of Grandma’s favorites.
“I’m a bit rusty” I explained. Really I hadn’t played the piano in over a year. But, I didn’t want to let Grandma know that drugs and alcohol had started taking away from my life. That would break her heart. I stumbled though the piece and Grandma applauded. “Playing the piano is just like riding a bike she said. Once you know the basics, they can never take it away from you. You’ll get it back. You must practice Culver - Practice, practice, practice! Remember who you are.”
