Touhy Interview at Stateville 2/20/58 - Negative Trims

Transcript (Download)

Do you have something like 15 or 16 months still waiting for you? Yes.

On the three year old, the second, we're in the state, yes.

Do you think you could do that now standing on your head or what? Are you hopeful of getting that cut down? No, I'm hopeful.

I'm hopeful that you can get that cut down.

Are you glad that Nate is getting out now? I am, yes.

I'm hoping that he will be.

Are you happy about this poll, Roger? Well, it's a step towards freedom.

It's another step towards freedom.

No, it's kind of a cut to gradually down.

There's no end to it.

Well, the gate was absolutely closed before you got that word, is that right? That's what I saw, yes.

And now the gate is open to me, is that right? Roger, can you sit in front of me? On March the 18th.

Do you think you have to serve after 17 months? No, well, the court will decide that.

You're trying to have that sentence set aside, is that right? That's right, yes.

What's the procedure before the federal court now, Roger? What are you going to do? Well, there's a habeas corpus pending in the early for the final decision on March the 18th.

On March the 18th? Yes.

To try and set aside this three year sentence? Not only this three year sentence, but the original sentence that I'm bound with.

That's why my third work institution is out there.

No, I mean, if you were to go to the federal court, it would exonerate me on the original sentence.

You want to be exonerated on the fact that kidnapping, for which you said you were well -loved.

The opinion of Judge Bynes was taken by the Attorney General of Illinois and State's Attorney Adam Moskey before the board.

I said that the records in that case were taken into State's Attorney's office in 42.

And otherwise, you depose me before the board.

Another step, like I said, to freedom.

How did you feel when the warden gave you the full view and the way forward that you had been through all? What would you feel? What did you think of? Well, I sort of expected it to be myself.

I like that you and me, we all said to each other, when the warden blasted you in the room, you must have looked at each other and said something.

Did you expect something? Well, I told him that I was going to be here, but he was too old.

And what did he say to you, Mr.

Kuwait? Well, congratulations, I'll say that.

Did you both feel like we...

I mean, I got a couple of boys, and none of them joined in, but we don't need the State of Illinois.

I'm just really there.

What state are you going to, sir? Well, I'm going down to the South, some place, and go to play up there, and learn to self -manufacture and sport again.

Something of my own, something of my own idea.

Your family has been consistently loyal to you, hasn't it? Oh, yes.

What's the word about Dan? Well, uh...

I imagine he's working there.

I don't think there was any particular reason why he did that.

Roger, do you get any feelings? Go ahead, Warden.

How's it feel after you got to parole, Roger? Well, uh...

It's another step for liberty, Warden.

Am I too far from Roger, or is it alright? No, it's alright.

Just a couple more of you, I'll set them.

Warden, one more, if you don't mind, I'm going to ask you all this soon, if you're here to answer me back.

Everybody ready? You're going to ask what? Well, don't answer if you don't want to.

I think you will.

I'll set a lot of business for the price of my life.

Call the calls for a few minutes.

What happened when you took the good news to Leopold? Well, the word came to me at approximately a quarter to twelve, and at the time I was in the parole office of the institution, and Tui and Leopold were waiting in the assistant warden's office.

I had sent for them, and after I received the call from the board, I announced to them that they had both been given a parole.

Was there any emotional reaction from Leopold? I would say so.

He lighted up and stood up and thanked me for the information.

Did he have any comment? What did he say? Well, I really didn't stay long enough because I had a lot of newspaper people and television people and radio people waiting for me.

Would you read us his statement, please? Nathan Leopold will be walking out these gates to freedom after processing, which normally takes three to four weeks, refused to be photographed or interviewed this morning after you had heard the good news.

Leopold sent this statement out through warden Reagan.

I have only two things to say, that I am grateful and that I am determined.

I am grateful first of all to God, for men can do only what God permits them to do.

I am grateful to the parole board for giving me this opportunity.

I am grateful to my many, many friends who have given me their help, their good wishes and their prayers.

And I am grateful to the press and the other mass media of communication for their fair and charitable coverage of my case.

And I am determined to do my utmost to justify the faiths shown in me.

I am acutely conscious that more than my own future hangs in the balance.

Thousands of prisoners, especially long -term prisoners, look to me to vindicate the rehabilitation theory of imprisonment.

I will do my best not to fail in that trust.

Signed, Nathan F.

Warden Reagan said that Leopold lit up like a Christmas tree when he heard the good news.

And his comment was, thank the Lord, it's wonderful.

Now back to John Daly in New York.

Warden Reagan said that Leopold lit up like a Christmas tree when he heard the good news and said, thank the Lord, it's wonderful.

Now back to John Daly in New York.

Warden Reagan said that Leopold lit up like a Christmas tree when he heard the good news and said, thank the Lord, it's wonderful.

Now back to John Daly in New York.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1030

Date Of Production

1958

Abstract

Roger Touhy was an Irish-American mob boss from Chicago who was imprisoned at Stateville Prison until he was granted parole in 1958. Black and white footage features reporters interviewing him as he is released from prison. The warden of Statesville is also interviewed and discusses the release of Touhy and Nathan Leopold (who was granted parole at the same time). A man outside the prison reads a statement from Nathan Leopold.

Run Time

0:10:51

Format

16mm

Extent

390 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Negatives

Genre

Crime

Form

Outtakes
Newsreels

Subject

Crimes
Gangs
Prisons

Related Collections

SUBSERIES V: Crime & Law Enforcement

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Touhy, Roger (is participant)

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