The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-08-28
FRANK GUILTY OF MURDER
NO RECONMENDATIO BY JURY
IN ATLANTA MANS CASE.
Motion for New Trial Will be Made
Verdict Reached at + p. NJ,
After Three Hours.

Atlanta, Ca, August 25.-Leo NJ.
Frank, convicted late to-day of the
murder of 14-year-old Mary Phagan,
showed no visible signs of emotion
early tonight when informed that he
had been found guilty. The factory
superintendent wife, with him when
the message was delivered, collapsed.
More than an hour before Frank
was notified the jury's verdict OF
murder in the first degree was re-
ceived with noisy demonstration
by a crowd estimated at more than
1000 persons that jammed the street.
All spectators were excused from the
Court room before the verdict was
announced. By agreement of coun-
sci the prisoner was permitted to re-
main in his cell at the county jail.
Only lawyers, Court officials and
newspaper men heard the verdict
rendered.
After listening to the presentation
of evidence and argument of counsel
for more than four weeks the jury
retired at 12:47 o'clock this after
noon when Judge Roam concluded his
charge. Shortly after 4 o'clock it
was announced that verdict had
been reached, but it was nearly
o'clock before the jury returned to
the Court room.
Great Demonstration.
At 5 o'clock Foreman Winburne
read the verdict. 1t contained no
Recommendation to mercy. AS the
news was flashed to the crowd outside
there was loud cheering. Mounted
policemen rode through the crowd to
disperse it, but the demonstration
continued unabated.
Solicitor Hugh Dorsey, who con-
Quoted the prosecution, was the first
person to leave the Court room. AS
he stepped into the street he was
lifted to the shoulders of several men
and carried for more than a hundred
feet through the shouting throng.
On account of the demonstration
Judge Roam announced that he would
not sentence the prisoner until to-
morrow, possibly later. The Judge
also was cheered when he left the
Court room.
Counsel for the defendant tonight
announced that a motion for a new
trial would be made Immediately.
Story. of killing and Trial.
Mary Phagan's body bearing marks
of violence was found in the basement
of the National Pencil Factory early
Sunday morning, April 27. The girl
previously had been employed at the
factory and had gone there at noon,
April 26, for her wages. Near her
body was found two notes, on which
were accusations against a long,
black negroe."
Newt Lee, negro night watchman
of the factory, who found the body,
Immediately was arrested on suspi-
cion. Superintendent Frank and sew
eraI others connected with the plant
were detained several days later.
Among these was James Conley, ne
gro sweeper.
After an extensive coroner's investl-
cation Frank and Lee we're bound
over to the grand jury. Frank was
indicted for murder, May "a. Lee
still is in Jail, as is the sweeper Con-
ley.
Franks trial began July %. The
State built a basis of circumstantlal
evidence, and then called James Con-
ley to the stand to give the only dl-
rect testimony against the defendant.
Conley swore he had stood guard OUT
side the factory Office while Frank
was closeted with the pretty 14-year-
old girl, and that later he helped
Frank carry the body to the base
ment. The negro also told story
of other alleged incidents at the fac
tory office, charging the defendant
with degeneracy. The defence's at
torney's attacked Conley's veracity
by attempting to prove an alibi for
their client and by producing three
previous afidavits, in which the ne
gro told widely varying stories of
the crime.
Late in the trial the defendant took
the stand, making a statement OF
general denial. He said he paid Mary
Phagan her wages on the day she dis
appeared, and that she left his office
Immediately.
Frank asserted tonight to friends,
who visited him in his cell: Il am
as innocent now as was year ago.
His general demeanor remained as
;n,noccivo &C throughOut the trial.