The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-08-08
coNLEY SUBJECTED TO vIGoR-
Gus CROSS EXAMINATION
(By Associated Press.l

Atlanta, Aug. 5.-A vigorous cross
examination of James Conley by the
counsel for the defense occupied the
major portion of today's session of
court in the trial of Leo NJ. Frank.
Attorney Rosser asked Conley espe-
cially regarding has statements and
the affidavits made by him regarding
his alleged knowledge of the murder
The negro admitted that his nara
tives may have differed somewhat
but maintained that he had told the
truth on the witness stand, and that
the statements previously made by
by him were made to shield himself
In his testimony Conley charged
the defendant Of being degenerate|
and said that Frank had killed the
little factory girl because she had re-
pulsed his attentions.
Whileo this sensational testimony
resulted in a court order barring wo-
men from the trial, no reference was
made directly in the cross examina-
ton to this part of the negro's testi-
mony. Counsel for the defense fired
question after question at the negro,
and Conley finally began to show
the effects of the strain to which he
was subjected.
Little of public interest was
brought out in the cross examination
The negro admitted having been ar
rested six or seven times, voluntarily
testified that he lived with a woman
who was not his wife and said that he
had told conflicting stories in regard
to the murder in statements made
previous to the trial
In his testimony he repeated that
on several occasions he had stood
guard for Frank when the latter was
closeted in his office with women.
Conley stated that only a short
time had elapsed after Mary Phagan
had entered Franks office when he
heard muffled scream. He said
that few minutes later he was sum-
moned by Frank, who appeared to
be greatly excited. Conley testified
that the factory superintendent face
was crimson, his body and legs were
trembling and that he clutched a.
cord with both hands.
Il wanted her and she resisted
me-" Frank exclaimed, according to
Conley, ''and then l hit her too hard.
After being sent into the metal
room by Frank Conley said that he
found the girls body lying face up.
He said he knew at once that she
was dead because she did not move
and didn't breathe. The witness said |
that he put the body in a gunny
sack and tied the sack like a wash
erwoman ties clothes"
The negro said that he then put
the bundle on his boulder and started
toward the elevator. When about |
half way across the room the body
slipped from his shoulder and fell to
the floor. He called to Frank for as
sistance, and together they carried |
the body to the elevator. Both de- |
scended to the basement with the
body, where it was left on a pile of
rubbish near the furnace.
After going back to his office
Frank, according to Conley contin-
ued to become more nervous. While
walking back and forth and wringing I
ing his hands, Conley said that Frank
"Why should I hang? l have veal
thy relatives in Brooklyn
But what's going to happen to
me?" Conley said he asked Frank.
"I'll take care of you all right"
Conley said Frank replied, and hand
ed him roll of bills containing 5000.
Il just didn't want to give the man
away" said Conley, "for l thought he
would look out for me-"