Lindbergh Kidnapping Case Study

The kidnapping of Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr., 20 month-old son of the legendary pilot, is a controversial case that involved all aspects of the U.S. criminal justice system. The first component of the criminal justice system that was encountered were the police. On the night of March 1, 1932, immediately after being notified of the kidnapping, the police began to conduct interviews with the family and house staff. The police performed an official investigation of the house and the surrounding property finding little more than the ransom note demanding $50,000 which was placed on the nursery window sill, and a “clump of yellow soil-clay on a leather children’s beneath the window sill on the floor” (What Happened to the Lindbergh Baby, n.d.). They also found small pieces of wood on the outside of the window sill thought to be from a ladder used to gain access to the child’s second story window. Because of the Lindbergh’s fame and prestige, the New Jersey State Police, the New York City Police, and the F.B.I. all became involved in this investigation, however, they were often at odds with each other, with most battles being over jurisdictions. The police interviewed many people in connection to this case and after over two years of false leads, hoaxes and con-jobs, a real suspect was arrested.
The suspect was a 35 year old …show more content…
They police never entertained the possibility of Hauptmann nor did the courts or general public until well after his execution. Hauptmann’s widow sent the rest of her life calming he was set up and most of the general public also think that there was more to the story. If this case happened today we would have the use of DNA and advanced forensics to add in the efforts to find the truth. Sadly though, just like with this case the media have the power to sway public opinion. And we all have a tendency to let our emotions and preconceived notions bias the best, or worse