#13: Darrow Pleads Them Guilty
Rather than face a jury that might eagerly impose death sentences, Darrow entered guilty pleas for both defendants. That placed sentencing in the hands of Judge John Caverly. It was a calculated legal gamble. The defense could now present psychological testimony, personal history, and arguments about youth without needing to convince jurors that Leopold and Loeb had not committed the crime. Darrow had transformed an unwinnable murder trial into a debate about whether execution was necessary.
