TLS, one page, 7.25 x 10.5, June 24, 1935. Letter to Philip Leibsohn. In part: "Some time ago I wrote to you, but have not received a reply—about the L—Messner case, about which you know, through Mrs. Messner, I understand. I have a letter from her now wondering what she had better do,—after having talked with you, she tells, and learned that you feel that it may not work out well to associate myself with Ex-Senator Clark in this matter on account of the unfriendly feeling between him and the one newspaper owner in your city…I know perfectly well that you can do the case more good than anyone that is liable to help…I likewise know that the lawyer that you suggest is the one that we should get; it would be of the greatest value to have some support from the paper, or,—at least to be able to prevent it from fighting it…I am not going to take any money from the Messners, I had hoped that some competent lawyer out there would act in their behalf without charging; but, perhaps no one will." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope and Leibsohn's retained carbon copy of his response, telling Darrow that he also feels "the boy has paid for his crime to society and now should be given the opportunity to rehabilitate himself," and advising not to involve the ex-senator in the matter.
In 1927, the fourteen-year-old Lyle Messner was convicted of first degree murder after he confessed to killing a six-year-old girl, receiving a sentence of life in prison. The boy's mother later asked Darrow if he would help in appealing the punishment. Darrow's involvement drew widespread public attention to the case, and although he successfully convinced the parole board to review the sentence, the appeal failed. It was not until 1958 that the governor of Iowa commuted Messner's sentence to a ninety-year term, making him eligible for parole. Messner, by then age forty-five, won his parole hearing the following year.
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