Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-14


deal" impossible in the original trial.
DR. Bricker is to take the position,
not that Leo Frank is innocent OF the
crime charged to him the guilt or
innocence OF the accused man Is not
an important part Of the DISCUSSION
but that innocent or guilty. the at
mosphere surrounding the trial was
such as to preclude an unbiased hear
ing DR.. G. b. Wilmer, OF st. Luke's
Episcopal Church, takes the same at
titude
Says He Was Wrought Up.
II assume my full share Of thC,,se-
sponsibility for this condition. said
DR. Bricker Friday. II admit freely
that ! was wrought up to pitch that
prevented the proper exercise OF
judgment and decision. ! believe that
most IF us-that practically all of us
were in the same state OF mind
during the first trial
This state OF affairs reached
point that charged the very atmos-
phere Of the courtroom with preju-
dice. An unbiase d trial was imposs'-
BILE. l am prompted now to do my
bsst 10 square my part Of this grave
responsibility by opening the problem
to discussion in my pulpit, and / in
yte the attention OF all people who
feel, as ! do, that they were hasty.
and not in the proper mood for judg-
ment during the first trial
DIR. Wilmer, rector Of St. Luke's
has made the statement that. despite
the Supreme Courts majority deci-
sion that the first trial should stand
1t is the duty Of the people to see that
there is another trial lin a more ju-
dicial atmosphere, especially in view
Of the fact that the trial Judge him
self was not convinced either way"
Burns Expected Friday.
While the Frank counsel is busy
strengthening its position and adding
to the grounds on which the plea for
a new trial will be based William j.
Burns is expected in Atlanta some
time Friday to go to work on the To-
cal end Of the celebrated case.
It is understood that the defense
will have some important evidence TO
disclose before the present week is
out, perhaps surprising that of the
Jenkins family Thursday, when an
other attack was made on the case
made out by the detective depart
ment.
The arrival Of Burns now is the
event most eagerly awaited by all
concerned, and especially by a public
well acquainted with the great rec
ord of the detective in the San Fran
cisco graft investigation. the dyna-
miters' case. and other work of great
scope and national Importance.
Police Not to Hamper Him.
What the detective will do on his
arrival In Atlanta is largely a matter
for speculation 1t is certain. of
course that he will pursue his meth
DDS without let or hindrance by the
local police, or by any lawyers con-
nected with the case in any of its
phases,
Frank, son his part, says he well
comes Burns in the case as a means
of getting more light on it. That Is
all he desires, he says-that the truth
be known.
The prosecution appears no less
confident that the investigation will
substantiate its case, and even Jim
Conley has made a statement that he
is ready to answer any questions
Burns may want to ask him, with the
proviso that a white man, not inter
ested in the case on either side, be
present at the examination.
The lawyers for the defense Friday
continued their campaign for new
evidence, and their efforts to show a
frame up" in the first trial by means
of reputation of former testimony
and corroborative affidavits by per-
sons familiar with the different
phases of the situation.