10 Most Notable Criminal Cases of the 20th Century
From wealthy teenagers to cult leaders, these trials captured global attention and shaped modern criminal justice
Leopold and Loeb Trial (1924)
Wealthy teenagers Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb murdered a 14-year-old boy with a chisel in what shocked the nation as a thrill killing. Defended by legendary attorney Clarence Darrow, both were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Richard Loeb was killed by an inmate in 1936, while Leopold eventually secured parole in 1958—a rare second chance that would have been unthinkable in modern times.
Lizzie Borden Trial (1893)
One of America's earliest sensational trials, Lizzie Borden stood accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in Fall River, Massachusetts. Despite circumstances that aroused deep suspicion, she was acquitted—a verdict that has spawned debate and speculation for over a century.
Sacco-Vanzetti Case (1920-1927)
Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were convicted of following a in South Braintree, Massachusetts on April 15, 1920. Their seven-year legal battle became a landmark case of 20th-century injustice. Both men were executed, leaving behind a legacy of controversy about whether justice was truly served.
