In one of the most famous arguments in American legal history, Clarence Darrow called upon the judge, John R. Caverly, to show mercy. A passionate lawyer who could hold juries spellbound, Darrow spoke for twelve hours. He pleaded for life, even though he acknowledged his clients had committed heinous deeds. He had used psychiatrists (called "alienists" at the time) during the short trial (really an evidentiary hearing) to convince the judge the boys were worth saving.

Darrow argued that Nathan and Richard were "too young to hang." He reminded Judge Caverly that "if these boys are to hang, you must do it." He pleaded with the court that if the sentence was death, it would not "help the children" who heard about the punishment. He acknowledged, though, that his clients were "not fit to be at large."

As a large crowd gathered outside the court house, Darrow gave an argument that caused tears to stream down nearly every face - including the judge's. And it was that passionate, pleading, pathos-filled argument that convinced Judge Caverly to show mercy. He gave both Leopold and Loeb life sentences.

Darrow had won an unwinnable battle. He gave his young clients a chance at rehabilitation. Here, at the time of the sentencing, (with Nathan Leopold, Sr. and a Loeb family member), Darrow was able to gain in court what he believed in conscience. His clients would live.

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