Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-19
DORSEYSUR
Of No BILL
On CONLEY
Attorneys for Defense Want
Venire Drawn From Grand
Jury Box,

Solicitor Dorsey expressed assur-
ance Saturday afternoon that the
Grand Jury never would indict jim
Conley before the trial of Leo NJ.
Frank
At the same time it became known
that attorneys for the defense had
made the usual move of asking that
the Jurors to pass on the guilt or in
nocence of Frank be drawn from the
Grand Jury box instead of the petit
jury box.
There is no more chance that Jim
Conley will be indicted" said the So
licitor, than that the judge will ac-
cede to the remarkable request of the
defense for a jury picked from the
Grand Jury box"
Has Filed a Protest.
The Solicitor already has filed
protest against the proposed pro-
cedure which the defense is said to
have suggested.
1T is irregular in the extreme" said
the Solicitor. 1T never has been done
before to my knowledge. l am not
Informed as to its legality. That
matter l have not looked up, but l
have protested against it and will
fight any such move"
The Solicitors assurance that no
Indictment would be brought against
Conley was taken to mean that he
was in possession of evidence which
he believed would be sufficient ef-
fectively to deter the jurors from
charging the negro with the crime.
Can't Predict mo Bill"
II can not believe that any Grand
Jury, with the knowledge Of the facts
before it. could bring an indictment
against Conley." he said.
Asked if he thought that a mo
bill" on the charge of murder would
be brought out against the negro, the
Solicitor refused to make further
comment.
He intimated, however, that he
would be present at the hearing and
that he would fight every effort to
lay the formal charge Of murder
against Conley.
Crucial Battle Coming.
With the first skirmish won py
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 tbs
investigation whose first chapter re-
suited in the indictment Of Leo NJ.
Frank on the charge Of Staying Mary
Phagan. Solicitor Dorsey will lay be-
fore the body for the first time all Of
his reasons for desiring 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 WILL
be forced TO take refuge in the last
ditch and make his fight against the
indictment of Conley.
With all the weight Of evidence
which has piled up against the negro
It is regarded as beyond the realm
Of possibilities that he could persuads'
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
it will be in a position to say whether
an indictment shall be drawn against
Conley as an accessory after the face
TO which he has confessed, or as the
actual murderer
The Solicitors attitude in the mat
ter plainly was shown by his state
ment when Foreman Beattie went ~
him Friday seeking 10 have him call
the meeting. Dorsey fatty refused
and said
THE meetings only purpose will De
Continued on Page 2, Column 2.