The Perfect Crime

On the morning of May 22, 1924, the body of 14-year-old Bobby Franks was found in a culvert outside of Chicago. A pair of glasses found at the crime scene would lead police to an unlikely suspect. "The Perfect Crime" premieres February 9 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

In May 1924, police only had a few clues to point them towards the murderer of 14-year-old Bobby Franks. A pair of glasses found at the scene led them to 19-year-old Nathan Leopold. An intelligent young man from an influential family, Leopold was not a likely suspect -- at first. "The Perfect Crime" premieres Feb. 9 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

Although Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb came from similar backgrounds, they were very different young men. Loeb was sociable and handsome, while Leopold was quiet and brooding. Despite these differences, the two became fast friends and were soon plotting small crimes which would lead to something much larger. "The Perfect Crime" premieres February 9 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

After Leopold and Loeb confessed to the murder of Bobby Franks, their families hired famed defense attorney, Clarence Darrow to try to save the boys from the hangman's noose. Darrow was no fan of capital punishment and accepted the case, believing it would provide him with a national platform in his crusade against the death penalty. "The Perfect Crime" premieres February 9 at 9/8c on PBS.