Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-07
FRANK DEFENSE
To MAKE FIGHT
ON CONLEY
Continued From Page /.

who drew the staple from the back
door and thereby made his escape
from the building, either by way Of
Madison Avenue or Forsyth Street
The missing purse that Mary Pha-
gan is known 10 have had in her
hand when she left home, and N
which she Is supposed TO have put her
money Just received from Frank, has
never been found. although Conley
has been careful enough 20 account
for her hat and her shoe.
Undoubtedly, the defense has been
very busy, while the States officers
have been talking
Reucent and silent as the grave as
to the theory Of the crime 10 be
advanced in defense Of Frank. it now
Is known that it will be sweeping,
sensational and complete,
State Faces Strong Defense.
Whether II viii come as tremen-
dous surprise 10 the prosecution. or
whether something Of the magnitude
and scope Of it has leaked through to
the Solicitor and the police within the
mast d hours, rs prUblematicaJ.
The sucden clamping down Of the
lid at detective headquarters and the
announcement that no more talking
would be done there, either for the
State or ANYBODY else, is viewed ny
many as a circumstance tending 10
show that the State at last has come
10 a full realization OF the fact that
Franks defense viii be thorough ana
complete in detail
whereas up TO yesterday any sort
OF an interview might be had for the
asking Of the detective, to-day moth
ing whatever may be had.
As silent as the defense has been, II
has nothing by way Of silence on the
State TO-DAY.
Franks Character.
Franks previous good character,
his fine business reputation, his hap
DIV family relations his ordinary hab-
it's Of life and his everyday methods
Of conducting himself win be thrown
fearlessly into the scales.
II has been determined for him 10
leave nothing unsaid and TO leave
nothing undone that may tend TO clear
fully and completely and TO free him
for all time from responsibility for
this crime or any knowledge OF IT,
Besides the technical correctness OF
Franks defense, his lawyers viii un-
dertake 70 show how impossible IL
would have been for him to have
done what the negro accuses him OF,
under the uegro's own statement
Conley's amdavits viii be reduced
70 absurdities so the defense now be
heves He not only viii be thrown
out Of court upon a strict legal show
ing. but he win be grimly laughed
out.
To Attack conlsY.
His general character will be put In
evidence. his drinking habits estab-
nshed, and his opportunity to have
killed Mary Phagan completely dem
onstrated.
Attorney Rosser is known. despite
his silence. 20 have determined not
only upon Franks complete acquittal
but upon Conley's future conviction.
The foregoing In brief outline, is
the defense Of Leo Frank now being
framed up In surprising detail
II the defense can establish what II
now unquestionably hopes 20 and be-
lieves II may. Franks acQulttal seems
a foregone conclusion
or course, the State still Is stand
ing pat on its theory that Frank
committed the crime but undoubtedly
is more or less disturbed By the sur
prlsing nature Of the defense that has
leaked out. even to the extent indi-
Gated, and Is preparing to meet that
defense accordingly.