Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-19
GRAND JURY
SPLIT BY
| LATEST
MOVE
Public Opinion Forces Considera-
ton of Move to Indict ConIey
for Phagan Staying.

Solicitor Dorsey is fighting
vigorously the movement in the
Grand Jury to indict Jim Con-
ley Monday for the murder of
Mary Phagan, despite the bonn
bardment of letters from many
citizens and by the sentiment Of
some Of its own members.
1t is for the consideration of these
letters and petitions. asking the re-
opening OF the Phagan matter. that
the meeting has been called. That IL
will result in the indictment Of the
negro is thought certain.
It was in the face of Solicitor Dor
sey's bitterest opposition that the
meeting was called at all. Foreman
Beattie issued his def after a pre-
vlous Grand Jury had been defeated
in its efforts to reopen the case vita
a view of indicting Jim ConIey and
after Dorsey explicitly had expressed
his strongest disapproval of such a
move.
Crucial Battle Coming.
With the first skirmish won oy
those in favor Of the Indictment of
Conley, the hottest battle is yet to be
waged behind the closed doors of the
jury room. The question first will be
on whether the grand jurors consider
it proper at this time to reopen ths
whose first chapter re-
suited in the indictment of Leo M.
Frank on the charge Of Staying Mary
Solicitor Dorsey will lay be-
fore the body for the first time all OF
his reasons for desiring a postpone
ment of all further investigation until
after the trial of Frank.
Should the solicitor be driven back
from this position by the Grand Jury
again, disregarding his wishes and
taking up the investigation, he wifi
be forced to take refuge in the last
ditch and make his fight against ths
Indictment of Conley.
With all the weight of evidence
which has piled up against the negro,
1t is regarded as beyond the realm
Of possibilities that he could persuade
the jurors to return a mo bill" against
Conley on the charge of murder. Dor
sey's one remaining hope at this time
would be, it is said, to induce the
Grand Jury to waive definite action
until after the trial OF Frank. when
1t will be in a position 10 say whether
an indictment shall be drawn against
Conley as an accessory after the fact.
to which he has confessed, or as the
actual murderer.
Dorsey Refuses to Comply.
The Solicitors attitude in the mat
ter plainly was shown by his state
ment when Foreman Beattie went to
him Friday seeking to have him cali
the meeting. Dorsey fatty refused
and said:
THE meetings only purpose will De
to exploit the evidence and embar-
rass the State, and I hope the Grand
Jury when it meets viii decide to
leave the matter alone.
THE indictment of Conley at this
time will be a useless procedure that
will not stop the trial Of Frank II
will only have a mild but undesirable
effect on the States case.
"Conley is in jail and is going 10
stay there for some time. He is
where the authorities can put their
hands on him, and he can be indicted
much more properly after the Frank
case has been disposed of than be-
fore, and by the delay there is no
danger of a miscarriage of justice"
Position Called Unfair.
The Solicitors position is attacked
as palpably unfair by those who have
been working to bring about the in