The Kidnapping of the Lindbergh Baby Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Kidnapping of the Lindbergh Baby - Essay ExampleIt led to the arrest of Bruno Richard Hauptmann who was drive outd and convicted of murder in the famous case. He was sentenced to death and was executed at 844 p.m. on April 3, 1936 (The Kidnappimg). The trial had ended, but the controversy continues today. While some critics claim that Hauptmann was framed to save face for the government, others are convinced that Hauptmann was the perpetrator. A close look at the methods of the time, the exhaustive investigation, and the evidence surrounding the case leaves little doubt that Bruno Hauptmann was instrumental in the abhorrence.The case was controversial from the very offset printing moments after the disappearance was discovered. It involved the son of the famous aviator, a beloved national hero. Immediately after the nurse, Betty Gow, discovered the open window and missing child, Lindbergh got a gun and went outside the house. He discovered a ladder near the open window and wen t to investigate. He trampled the footprints that remained and destroyed crucial evidence. In the flurry of confusion, the crime scene was contaminated. Local, state, and national law enforcement agencies all vowed to commit whatever resources were necessary to the investigation. However, the first errors in the case came when Charles Lindbergh insisted on being placed in charge of the investigation. Though the best professionals available had been assigned to the case, Lindbergh ... personally took charge, often ignoring the advice and overriding the decisions of the professionals (Levy 34). These initial mistakes by Lindbergh would leave the case open to future criticism.A ill written ransom note was anchor at the scene, though authorities were unable to find any fingerprints on it. The remains of the ladder, broken during use, were the only somatogenetic evidence. Lindbergh approved a plan to attempt to contact the kidnappers and arrange for the ransom to be paid after a secon d note was received on March 6, 1932 demanding $70,000. (Famous Cases). Within 10 days, a man named Dr. John F. Condon, Bronx, New York City, a retired school principal, contacted the Lindberghs attorney and said he could mediate the arctic return of the child. A series of meetings took place in a graveyard where Condon, code named Jasfie, and an elusive figure known as Graveyard John discussed ransom and the childs safety. During one of these meetings, Graveyard John offered trial impression of the child. According to the FBI, A babys sleeping character, as a token of identity, and a seventh ransom note were received by Dr. Condon on March 16. The suit was delivered to Colonel Lindbergh and later identified (Famous Cases). Arrangements were made to pay the ransom and secure the release of young Charlie.On April 2, ransom money was delivered to Graveyard John piece Charles Lindbergh waited close by in an automobile. Graveyard John gave Condon a note which had instructions on the location of the child. The note said that the child could be found in Marthas Vineyard in a boat named Nellie, between Horseneck beach and Gay Head near Elizabeth Island (The Kidnapping). However, Lindbergh had been double-crossed as no boat could be located with that name and no baby was found (The Kidnapping