The Lindberg kidnapping

[GracieMae]

Ok, so this is a strange topic. Lisa was discussing this with me this morning and I figured it was debate worthy.

Do you believe Bruno Hauptman was guilty?

No I do not. He was convicted solely on circumstantial evidence. This country was demanding justice and they police were desperate to come up with a suspect.

I'll say who I believe killed that poor baby later in the debate.

[Mabel]

Do we have any links to the story? I only know the very basics.

[GracieMae]

http://www.wtps.org/wths/imc/Teacher_Assignment/social_studies/larosa/larosa_trials_lind.htm

There ya go Mabs. I'll look for a few more :)

[April]

I think the pressure was on to find someone, anyone, to blame.
That kind of stuff still happens in America.

[Lushie]

Respectfully, what is wrong with circumstantial evidence?
The ladder came from his attic and the ransom money was found in his home.
Seems fairly damning to me.

[Michele]

Respectfully, what is wrong with circumstantial evidence?
The ladder came from his attic and the ransom money was found in his home.
Seems fairly damning to me.

Welcome to TCC Lushie! :)

Circumstantial evidence CAN be very damning. Look at the Scott Peterson trial. He was convicted and sentenced to death on circumstancial evidence!

[Opus]

since i didnt see a link at that page detailing the reasons he might be guilty, I am assuming the site wants to push the idea that he was innocent

I would have to be in the jury box then, to see all the evidence before deciding his guilt or innocence

Cremating the body so soon after discovery would seem to point to something nefarious but without all the evidence, no one knows for sure now.

[Dandi]

I think we also have to keep in mind that we didn't have all the fancy methods to gather evidence and forensic knowledge back then that we have available today.

I do believe he was involved in the kidnapping/death, but I'm not sure he was the only person.

[kokopelli]

TBH I don't know enough about the case to make a decision. I just learned a couple seconds ago that Norman Schwartzkopf was involved in the investigation.