Crime of the Century: Leopold & Loeb - Trials and Tribulations
Genre: Crime
Director: Bennett Miller
Writer: Lon Charles
Cast: Alex Wolff, Nick Robinson, Joseph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Drew Carey, David Schwimmer, Blake Jenner, Eddie Jemison and Robert John Burke
Plot: 1958. Older Nathan Leopold (Joseph Fiennes) gets off a plane in sunny Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. The colors and sunshine are a shocking contrast the dreary tones of Stateville Penitentiary and of the cold and the wind of Chicago. For the first time since in a long time, Leopold manages a smile. When he arrives at the Castañer General Hospital, run by the Church of the Brethren, he is led to the x-ray examination area where he will be working. Leopold introduces himself to his new co-workers as Nate.
1924. Clarence Darrow (John Lithgow) sits across from Nathan Leopold (Alex Wolff) and Richard Loeb (Nick Robinson). Darrow informs the two young murderers that the state will do everything in their power to have them executed for the crimes they've been charged with. Leopold and Loeb are surprised by this. Darrow adds that since they both confessed to the murder, they aren't left with a whole lot of viable defenses. He explains to them that a victory in the trial will simply be the avoidance of hanging or the electric chair. Life in prison is the best case scenario, but a jury will definitely want to see them executed as well. Leopold asks if the plan is an insanity defense, but Darrow says no. Their best bet is to plead guilty. This makes Loeb angry, but Darrow asks if Loeb wants to die. Loeb sits down and shakes his head no. Darrow tells the two young men that if they let him do his job they won't be killed.
The night before the trial is set to begin, Albert Loeb (David Schwimmer) has a heart attack. His wife Anna Loeb (Jorja Fox) quickly contacts an ambulance and has him rushed to the hospital. While laying in a hospital bed with his family all around visiting him, Albert asks to speak to his brother Jacob Loeb (Eddie Jemison) and son Allan Loeb (Blake Jenner) alone. Albert confides in them that he is going to need them to keep an eye on Richard and keep him posted on the trial while he's stuck in the hospital or at home since the doctors don't want him to deal with the stress of a trial. Jacob and Allan agree to Albert's request.
The trial begins and is presided over by Judge Caverly (Robert John Burke). When the judge asks Darrow how the defendants plea, Darrow announces that they have elected to enter a plea of guilty. The entire courtroom is shocked, even state attorney Robert Crowe (Drew Carey). Darrow asks that in return for the plea of guilty that the state considers the sentence of life imprisonment for his clients. Crowe seems particularly offended by this notion. He argues that the defendants committed a horrifically brutal crime. The murder rate in Chicago is higher than ever, yet Darrow wants to do away with punishment. Crowe argues that criminals are fully responsibly for their actions and should be treated as such. He informs Darrow and Judge Caverly that despite the guilty plea, that he and his office will still be seeking capital punishment in the case. As court adjourns for the day, Crowe leaves the courtroom still furious about the guilty plea since it will keep a jury out of the trial. As Darrow is gathering his things, Leopold asks him when he and Loeb will get to go on the stand. Darrow says that is the worst thing they could possibly do. He needs Leopold and Loeb to sit next to him quietly without hurting the case.
As the trial wages on, Darrow argues that crime is a medical problem. Crowe and Judge Caverly are both confused by this statement. Darrow continues on that any one who would commit such a murder, which his clients have already admitted responsibility for, would have any number of mental illnesses. He asserts that the courts should be determining a proper course of medical treatment for such criminals rather than simply putting them down via execution. Darrow calls up several psychiatrists to the stand to help prove his point, but then Crowe calls up his own psychiatrists to the stand who contradict Darrow's experts and leave Judge Caverly scratching his head in confusion, along with everyone in the audience including Jacob and Allan Loeb. Allan asks his uncle who he thinks is winning in the trial, and Jacob says that he isn't sure if either of the sides are winning - they're just confusing everyone at this point.
For his closing argument, Clarence Darrow gives an impassioned plea against capital punishment. He talks about how inhuman the methods used are. He adds that he sees no point in the destruction of the two young boys on trial. Sure, they murdered a child, but they are barely more than children themselves. Between their privileged upbringing and their constant scholarly pursuits they've never been given the chance to grow into men. He tells Judge Caverly that he admittedly isn't sure how much can be salvaged of Leopold and Loeb, but that the purpose of the courts is to see to the welfare of the community. He argues that the community would not benefit said community and implores the courts to temper justice with mercy and to overcome hate with love. Crowe takes a look at his watch. Darrow finishes his plea and apologizes for going on so long.
1924. Clarence Darrow (John Lithgow) sits across from Nathan Leopold (Alex Wolff) and Richard Loeb (Nick Robinson). Darrow informs the two young murderers that the state will do everything in their power to have them executed for the crimes they've been charged with. Leopold and Loeb are surprised by this. Darrow adds that since they both confessed to the murder, they aren't left with a whole lot of viable defenses. He explains to them that a victory in the trial will simply be the avoidance of hanging or the electric chair. Life in prison is the best case scenario, but a jury will definitely want to see them executed as well. Leopold asks if the plan is an insanity defense, but Darrow says no. Their best bet is to plead guilty. This makes Loeb angry, but Darrow asks if Loeb wants to die. Loeb sits down and shakes his head no. Darrow tells the two young men that if they let him do his job they won't be killed.
The night before the trial is set to begin, Albert Loeb (David Schwimmer) has a heart attack. His wife Anna Loeb (Jorja Fox) quickly contacts an ambulance and has him rushed to the hospital. While laying in a hospital bed with his family all around visiting him, Albert asks to speak to his brother Jacob Loeb (Eddie Jemison) and son Allan Loeb (Blake Jenner) alone. Albert confides in them that he is going to need them to keep an eye on Richard and keep him posted on the trial while he's stuck in the hospital or at home since the doctors don't want him to deal with the stress of a trial. Jacob and Allan agree to Albert's request.
The trial begins and is presided over by Judge Caverly (Robert John Burke). When the judge asks Darrow how the defendants plea, Darrow announces that they have elected to enter a plea of guilty. The entire courtroom is shocked, even state attorney Robert Crowe (Drew Carey). Darrow asks that in return for the plea of guilty that the state considers the sentence of life imprisonment for his clients. Crowe seems particularly offended by this notion. He argues that the defendants committed a horrifically brutal crime. The murder rate in Chicago is higher than ever, yet Darrow wants to do away with punishment. Crowe argues that criminals are fully responsibly for their actions and should be treated as such. He informs Darrow and Judge Caverly that despite the guilty plea, that he and his office will still be seeking capital punishment in the case. As court adjourns for the day, Crowe leaves the courtroom still furious about the guilty plea since it will keep a jury out of the trial. As Darrow is gathering his things, Leopold asks him when he and Loeb will get to go on the stand. Darrow says that is the worst thing they could possibly do. He needs Leopold and Loeb to sit next to him quietly without hurting the case.
As the trial wages on, Darrow argues that crime is a medical problem. Crowe and Judge Caverly are both confused by this statement. Darrow continues on that any one who would commit such a murder, which his clients have already admitted responsibility for, would have any number of mental illnesses. He asserts that the courts should be determining a proper course of medical treatment for such criminals rather than simply putting them down via execution. Darrow calls up several psychiatrists to the stand to help prove his point, but then Crowe calls up his own psychiatrists to the stand who contradict Darrow's experts and leave Judge Caverly scratching his head in confusion, along with everyone in the audience including Jacob and Allan Loeb. Allan asks his uncle who he thinks is winning in the trial, and Jacob says that he isn't sure if either of the sides are winning - they're just confusing everyone at this point.
For his closing argument, Clarence Darrow gives an impassioned plea against capital punishment. He talks about how inhuman the methods used are. He adds that he sees no point in the destruction of the two young boys on trial. Sure, they murdered a child, but they are barely more than children themselves. Between their privileged upbringing and their constant scholarly pursuits they've never been given the chance to grow into men. He tells Judge Caverly that he admittedly isn't sure how much can be salvaged of Leopold and Loeb, but that the purpose of the courts is to see to the welfare of the community. He argues that the community would not benefit said community and implores the courts to temper justice with mercy and to overcome hate with love. Crowe takes a look at his watch. Darrow finishes his plea and apologizes for going on so long.
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