Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-18

TRAIL MAN
ACCUSING
CONLEY
Prosecution Obtains Character
Witnesses for Attack on Story
Of Negroes Confession.

With Pinkerton detectives TAX
ing the trail in search of w. H.
Mincey, whose startling accuse
tons against Jim Conley stirred
the police department and won
the negro another sweating"
from Solicitor Dorsey, the Min
cey affidavit Friday became the
storm center about the prosecu-
ton and defense in the Frank
case waged their battle.
Despite the degree Of Indifference,
with which the detectives and prose
utinff officials affected to look upon
the remarkable statements of Mincey.
it became known Friday that every
effort was being bent toward locating
him and turning the light on his past
history
Pinkertons were detailed to make
inquiries as to his destination when
he left Atlanta three weeks ago after
swearing to the AFFIDAVIT in which he
said that Jim Conley had boasted to
him Of killing a girl on the same
afternoon that Mary Phagan met her
tragic death in the National Pencil
Factory. Mincey will be severely
cross examined II he can be located.
Pinkertons Have cIew.
It is understood that the Pinkertons
have obtained information of Min
cey's whereabouts. as It has been
known since The Georgian published
its exclusive story of the affidavit and
later Mincey's detailed account of the
significant happenings on the day Of
the murder that he was teaching
school in North Georgia.
Although Solicitor Dorsey processes
to be not greatly concerned over the
effect that the Mincey affidavit may
have In his case against Leo NJ
Frank, It is reported that his Office is
gathering character witnesses for an
attack on Mincey's credibility.
Developments since the publication
OF the affidavit Indicate that the pros
ecution feels 1t must absolutely dis
credit Mincey and his story II there
is to be any hope of obtaining a con-
viction aaginst Frank.
As bitter a fight as that brought on
by the Mincey affidavit is being waged
by the members of the Grand Jury
and the Solicitor over the question of
investigating Jim Conley's connection
with the Phagan murder, with view
of bringing an Indictment. A number
Of the members are said to have de-
clared themselves in favor of reopen
ing the case because of the mass OF
evidence that has piled UP against the
negro since he confessed to being in
the factory on the day of the crime.
Regarded as Unfair.
They regard 1t as unfair, in view of
the discriminating evidence against
him, that the prosecution be a party
to the arrangement by which Conley
goes on the stand merely as a mate
rial witness instead of as possible
principal in the crime, in which event
the jury would be compelled to take
into consideration the motives which
might lead him to testify against
Frank
The Solicitor, however. is unalter-
ably opposed to any movement look
ing toward the indictment of the ne
gro.
Il am conducting this case and
prefer to be allowed to conduct it in
the manner my Judgment tells me is
best" is, in effect. the reply he is re
ported to have made to several of the
jurors who have approached him on
the question OF bringing the case
again before the Grand Jury.
A petition is rumored to have been
in circulation among the jurors ask
ing that they be conyened for consid-
Grafton of the murder. This has LEI
10 the report that the jury viii get to-
gether Monday and attempt to indiet
Conley, The action is certain TO be
fought bitterly by the Soliciteg,