Trial of the Century: The Baby Lindbergh Kidnapping
INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC
The Lindbergh baby kidnapping is commonly referred to as the "Trial of the Century." I know that at the time of the kidnapping of his 20-month-old son, Charles Lindbergh was regarded as an American hero for his successful completion of the first transatlantic flight. I know that Lindbergh enlisted the help of mobster Al Capone in the search for his son. I am also aware that the man convicted of the baby's murder maintained his innocence until his death in the electric chair, accusing another man of the crime.
In my research, I hope to uncover whether or not Bruno Richard Hauptmann received a fair trial. Did Charles Lindbergh's status in America lead to a guilty verdict despite the evidence? What role did the media play in influencing public opinion? Did public sentiment towards foreigners at the time lead to the wrongful conviction of a German immigrant, or was he really guilty?
My intended audience is history buffs, readers of crime journals and those in media and law professions. The general public needs to know how well our judicial system works and the truth behind headline events in history. Media professionals should have an understanding of their influence over society and law professionals need to grasp the ramifications of their decisions in major trials.

 

KEYWORDS

UNC Library Catalog
Lindbergh AND Kidnapping
Lindbergh NOT Flight
Hauptmann n4 Trial

Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis
(Lindbergh or Hauptmann) AND Trial
Hauptmann AND Trial AND New Jersey
Lindbergh n4 Kidnapping

Search Engine on the Web <http://www.google.com/>
Lindbergh AND Kidnapping
Bruno Richard Hauptmann AND Trial
(Lindbergh or Hauptmann) AND Trial of the Century

 

PRINT SOURCES FROM UNC LIBRARIES (TURABIAN STYLE)
Fisher, Jim. The Lindbergh Case. New Brunsick: Rutgers University Press, 1987. HV6603.L5 1987
Kennedy, Ludovic Henry Coverley. The Airman and the Carpenter: the Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Framing of Richard Hauptmann. New York: Viking, 1985. HV6603.L5 K46 1985
Scaduto, Anthony. Scapegoat: The lonesome Death of Richard Bruno Hauptmann. New York: Putnam, 1976. HV6603.L5 S3
ONE NON-PAPER SOURCE FROM UNC LIBRARIES
Heus, John and Jim Zarchin. The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping. 60 min. New York: Coutroom Television Network, 1999. Videocassette. KF224.L5 L56 1999

 

ELECTRONIC INDEX AND DATABASE SOURCES (ELECTRONIC STYLE)
Blackman, Sam. (1992, February 9). 60 years later, doubt clings to Lindbergh baby kidnapping case; crime: The trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann gripped America in the 30's. His widow still insists that he was framed. Los Angeles Times [Online], 2422 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic [2002, September 9].
Lindbergh, Reeve. (1998, September 13). Little boy lost. The Oberver [Online], 3193 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic [2002, September 11].
Looper, Don. (2001, June5). Slain baby gave focus to nation. The Tampa Tribune [Online], 649 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic [2002, September 11].
Negri, Gloria. (1993, March17). New Hampshire writers say Lindbergh responsible in kidnapping. The Boston Globe [Online], 975 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic [2002, September 9].

Ruiz, Mario. (1985, November 4). Anna Hauptmann; Lindbergh Kidnapping's Final Victim. U.S. News and World Report [Online], 739 words. Available: LexisNexis Academic [2002, September 12].
Sullivan, Joseph F. (1981, October 7). Byrne to release Lindbergh files, 49 years after the kidnapping. The New York Times [Online], 768 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic [2002, September 9].

 

WEB SOURCES

Title of Web Page: The Lindbergh Case

Web Address: http://www.lindberghtrial.com/


Complete Hunterdon County archives of the Lindbergh case, including original photos and newspaper clippings. This site contains coverage of the crime, trial and all parties involved. The page also has links to the syndicated comic strip of the trial and a collector's corner for memorabilia. The site describes the intrigue surrounding the trial and keeps visitors aware of upcoming events. It is very useful for verifying information about the case.

Source of Web site: Hunterdon County Democrat

Title of Web Page: The Lindbergh Kidnapping: The Theft of the Eaglet

Web Address: http://www.crimelibrary.com/lindbergh/lindmain.htm

In addition to details of the crime and trial, this site contains information on parallel threads and alternate theories about the event. The page includes descriptions of the investigation and the people who tried to take credit for solving the case. Events following the conviction are also briefly described.

Source of Web Site: Russell Aiuto

Title of Web Page: The Bruno Hauptmann (Lindbergh Kidnapping) Trial

Web Address: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Hauptmann/Hauptmann.htm

This site includes photographs and other forms of physical evidence from both the crime and the trial. It contains excerpts from trial transcripts, along with a detailed account of the Hauptmann trial. Text from all of the ransom notes and images of newspaper headlines from the time are also available. This page is helpful for gaining strictly facts from the event.

Source of Web Site: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law

Title of Web Page: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax

Web Address: http://www.lindberghkidnappinghoax.com/

This site is dedicated to proving that an innocent man was convicted of the crime. The page contains alternate theories and opposing evidence in an attempt to show that the trial was a scam. It makes a plea for reopening the case and using DNA technology to clear Hauptmann's name. The site is helpful for understanding differing opinions about the case.

Source of Web Site: Ronelle Delmont

Title of Web Page: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Site - The Real Story!

Web Address: http://members.aol.com/lindytruth/

This site presents pictures, documents and sound clippings about the Lindbergh kidnapping and subsequent trial in an effort to prove that Richard Hauptmann was guilty of the crime. The site answers questions about the fairness of the trial and calls attention to holes in existing alternate theories. The supporting data is helpful for proving that the right man was convicted of the crime.

Source of Web Site: Allen Koenigsberg