Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby?

On March 1, 1932, Depression-era America was shocked by the kidnapping of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh's baby son from the family's rural home in East Amwell, NJ (the abductors used a ladder to gain entry to a second story window). The discovery of the murdered boy's body two weeks later was termed the "crime of the century," setting in motion a chain of events that is still relevant today, raising familiar concerns about justice, media responsibility, and the expanding role of the federal government to conduct crime investigations in cases that cross state lines. Filmmaker Larry Klein's PBS-aired NOVA documentary examines old evidence while raising new theories, asking whether the right man was convicted and if he was part of a larger conspiracy plot. After a lengthy dragnet, an illegal German immigrant and petty criminal named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested. Some of the ransom money was traced to Hauptmann, and wooden slats used to construct the kidnap ladder matched wood found in the attic of Hauptmann's home in the Bronx, NY. The manhunt and trial were bizarre by today's standards, including a self promoting go-between who delivered ransom money to a shadowy figure dubbed "Cemetery John." The stubborn Lindbergh didn't trust the police, often ignoring advice or interfering with the investigation, and the trial was a media circus, resembling an inquisition more than a search for justice. Hauptmann stoutly maintained his innocence, but was eventually convicted and executed. Experts interviewed here agree on Hauptmann's guilt, but believe that others were involved, although at this point the full story will probably never be known. Exploring one of American history's most fascinating cases, this well-researched documentary will be appreciated by true crime buffs. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)