Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22
Noted Lawyer, in Statement to
Sunday American, Tells Why He
Has Decided to Take Up the
Defense of the Accused Man,
Negro ConIey, in New Interview,
Asserts He Is Eager to Face Leo
N. Frank in Court and Repeat
Story of Alleged Part in Crime.

Positive confirmation Of the report
that he would be one Of counsel for
the defense in the trial OF Leo NJ.
Frank, for the alleged strangling Of
Mary Phagan. was made Saturday
night by Reuben R, Arnold, in a state
ment unqualihedly declaring that
there could be no room for the be-
lief that Frank was guilty OF the
murder.
Mr.. Arnold expressed his conviction
that no white man committed the
crime, and said that If he had not
thoroughly convinced himself OF
Franks absolute innocence he would
not have undertaken to assist in the
defense.
The brilliant attorney, in forcible
language, made known his surprise
that the detectives could continue to
place the responsibility on Frank in
the face Of what he described as the
positively discriminating affidavits Of
the negro sweeper Jim Conley.
Makes Formal Statement.
The news of his connection with
the Phagan case. which was antici-
pated by The American Of three weeks
ago. was contained in the following
formal statement which was given to
the newspapers:
II is true that have accepted
employment to assist in the de-
Tense Of Mr.. Leo M. Frank, but
wish to state that before agreed
to take the case made II a con-
dften that ! should have time to
study critically all the evidence
delivered at the Coronsr's inquest
and all tho affidavts that havs
reached the public through the
newspapers, so could form an
opinion for myself as to Franks
innocence or guilt. would not
defend any man if guilty of such
a murder as the one in this case.
After studying the evidence az
critically as can, ! am satisfied
that ! hazard not a thing in say
ing that there is no room to be-
lieVe Mr.. Frank guilty of this hor.
rible murder. do not believe that
any white man committed the
crime.
Indeed, Il is surprising to me
that the detectives should con-
tinue to try to put this crime on
Frank with the positively inerim-
mating affidavits of conley be-
fore them. People of common
sense, unless under great excite
ment, ought not to give a mo-
ment's credence to either the
Formsby or the conIey statement
in so far as they attempt to in
eliminate Mr.. Frank.
! see the detectives are gradual
ly giving it out that Mrs. Forms
by will not be called as a witness,
although her affidavit has been
paraded before the public bearing
the unqualified Endorsement Of
the detective department. as heino
perfectly reliable and true. Worse
than this, an intimation was pub
lished in the newspapers tbst
Franks friends had persuaded her
to leave town. In this and in
many other ways our client has
been done very great injustice.
The effort seems to have been NOT
to find the criminal, but to try by
all means to put the crime on
Frank.
However, think we will be able
to clarity the situation in due
time.
The Arnold statement constitutes
one of the strongest documents of the
whole Phagan mystery. 1t is known
that the attorney has been interested
in the case for weeks. During this
time he carefully has gone over every
scrap Of evidence accessible. with the
idea in view Of satisfying himself be-
yond the possibility of doubt Of the
innocence Of Frank. He has not con-
fined himself to the afidavits Of the
defense.
His main consideration has been Of
the affidavits and statements produced
by the detectives in the case they
have been developing against the ac-
cused man. His statement indicates
that he believes them worthless SO far
as they seek to involve Frank in tina
crime.
It became rumored some time ago
that he was making an investigation
of the Phagan mystery on Us own
Continued on Page 4, Column s.