The Leopold and Loeb Case of 1924 is nationally recognized as the first of its kind. It was a crime committed by two wealthy teenagers, Richard Leopold and Nathan Loeb, who committed murder for no reason. This case was a catalyst for social interpretation as journalists played an important role in uncovering the details of the crime. Often mixing fact and fiction, this case has been talked about well beyond the years following his burial. Over the years there has been much speculation as to why Leopold and Loeb did what they did and many topics have been discussed; from modern childhood to homosexuality. This case delved into every aspect of the boy's life and revealed new truths over time. The Leopold and Loeb case was never about the crime committed, but rather how journalists portrayed the boys on social media. Over time the case was interpreted as a sensationalistic journey through an atypical crime that turned into a pop culture phenomenon that influenced the way crime and the law are interpreted. When the story of a kidnapped boy broke on May 23, 1924, the mass media immediately began to develop a story about the crime. Journalists contributed significantly to solving the crime. Two journalists, James Mulroy and Alvin Goldstein, won Pulitzer Prizes for their contributions. Journalists were the basis of public knowledge of the case and therefore had much power to influence public opinion. However, because of this, journalists often cross the line between fact and fiction. They used blanket coverage of this case, something they had never done before, and created a case with social spin and sensationalism. Whatever information they could get, t... middle of paper... concept. During the trial the women were locked out of the court while the sexual relationship between the boys was discussed. Today, a person's sexuality does not normally influence the public's perception of a case. Leopold and Loeb were just two boys trying to create the perfect crime out of boredom and curiosity. They never believed the case would be this big. The case raised issues that influenced popular culture, as well as law and crime. The focus on the crime was more on the moral controversies than on the crime itself, which led to an exploitation of the crime and the lives of Leopold and Loeb. Works Cited Fass, Paula S. “Making and Remaking an Event: The Leopold and Loeb Case in American Culture.” The Journal of American History 80.3 (1993): 919-51. Network. March 15. 2014. .