Ep 5. The Perfect Crime

The American Experience is a documentary series that premiered in 1988 and has been a staple of PBS ever since. It has covered a broad range of topics throughout American history, from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement, and beyond. Season 28 episode 5, entitled The Perfect Crime, is a true-crime story about a murder that took place in 1924.

The episode tells the story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy Chicago teenagers who decided to commit the "perfect crime." They believed that they could kill someone and get away with it, using their intelligence and superior knowledge of the law to avoid being caught. The victim they chose was 14-year-old Bobby Franks, a boy who they had never met before.

Leopold and Loeb spent months planning their crime, studying forensic science and devising an elaborate alibi. They believed that they were too smart to be caught and that their plan was foolproof. However, when they kidnapped and murdered Bobby Franks, they made a crucial mistake that would lead to their downfall.

The episode explores the investigation that followed the murder, as detectives worked tirelessly to uncover the truth about who was responsible. It also delves into the psychological motivations behind Leopold and Loeb's actions, examining their privileged upbringing and their twisted desire for attention and notoriety.

As the investigation unfolded, Leopold and Loeb's alibi began to fall apart. They were eventually caught and put on trial for murder, facing the death penalty if convicted. The trial was a sensation, with reporters and spectators flocking to the courthouse to witness the proceedings. It was a landmark case, showcasing the power of forensic evidence and the lengths that law enforcement would go to in pursuit of justice.

The episode explores the aftermath of the trial, as Leopold and Loeb are sentenced to life in prison for their crime. It also examines the impact that the murder had on the Franks family, who were left to grieve the loss of their son, and the city of Chicago, which was shaken by the brutality and senselessness of the crime.

Ultimately, The Perfect Crime is a gripping and tragic tale of two young men who believed they could get away with anything, and the devastating consequences of their actions. It is a powerful reminder that even the most brilliant and privileged among us are not immune to the consequences of their choices, and that justice will always find a way to prevail.