Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-27
MRS. FRANK TO APPEAR
IN BEHALF OF HUSBAND
VIII Tell What She Knows Of His
Movements and Actions on Day
OF Phagan Murder.
COMMISSION MEETS MONDAY
PRISONER Also Will BE rendered as
witness by His COunseI-Eforts
to Induce Members of Jury to Sign
Cicmency Petition.

ATLANTA. GA. May 2G.-An am-
davit by Mrs. Leo NJ. Frank, detailing
"hat she knows of her husbands
movements and actions on the day OF
ihe Mary Phagan murder. will be pre-
Seh'cd before the State Prison Com
mission at the hearing here next Mon
"ay on Franks application for COM
mutation Of the death sentence to life
Imprisonment. Mrs. Frank was not
permitted under tho State law to tes-
ufy At the trial. Frank also will be
rendered az witness by his counsel
out whether he Will he hear,, will de-
pchd upon the commissions ruling
ms information was given out TO-DAY
ny former Congressman w. NJ. How
ard, who Will have charge Of Franks
petition.
While tho State law does not permit
person on trial for murder TO be
examined under oath. it provides that
n" may make statement to tho Jury
Beforo tho case closed Frank made a
detailed statement 10 tho court. in
which he declared his innocence
when asked to-day If tho prisoner will
ne heard. "A member of the commission
stated that no applicant for pardon
or Communication ever had been allowed
10 appear in such proceedings. and he
was not prepared to say whether the
precedent would be broken in Franks
case
Efforts are being made on behalf Of
Frank to induce majority OF the
Jurors who convicted him to sign
clemency petition. Another movement
urging clemency is under way among
the ministers of Atlanta
FJ{ASK uAn Nh pAor
IN ",IURDER NOTES"
Frank had nothing TO do with
the murder notes" which playcd
such an important part in the famous
trial. is expressed in report sub
United today TO Governor Slaton and
the Georgia Prison Commission by Al.
bert S Osborn. a handwriting exrcrt
OF New York. Mr.. Osborn. in his re-
port. declares II his firm conviction
that James Conlcy. the negro who tcs-
uh"H that he wrote the notes at
Frank dictation, did not have 'intelli-
gen, assistance in preparing the docu-
ments Conley. who was chief witness
against Frank. now is serving SEN
tehce OF one year as accessory TO the
murder OF Mary Phagan. beside whose
body the murder notes" were found.
In his report. Mr.. Osborn says:
III seems 10 me that when the
eligibility, incoherence. repetition and
uncertain effect of the communications
arc considered. it is perfectly clear
that James Conley did not have lntelli-
gent assistance in writing them"
In his original report to Solicitor
Dorsey. Mr.. Osborn stated that tho
notes might have been written at the
suggestion or with the collision Of
Frank Subsequent study. ne declares,
has convinced him that this was in
correct
The report submitted TO the Governor
to-day was made voluntarily. Mr. Os-
born states in an accompanying letter
and with the permission of Solicitor
Dorsey.
II was announced to-day that friends
OF Frank in Savannah will send a dele
cation TO Atlanta on Monday, headed
by Judge S. B. Adams. former justice
OF the State Supreme Court, TO present
to the prison commission n petition for
communication of Franks sentence TO
life Imprisonment.
SoLICITOR-GENERAL OPPOSES
GRANTING OF PETITION
1t was learned tonight that Solicit
tor-GeneVal Dorsey. who prosecuted
Frank. had fled with the prison COM
''.1os.'' "a P'o'eS' against the granting
OF Franks petition for communication
Chairman Dawson. Of the commits
sion. said he had received MIR. Dorsev's
protest, but declined TO discuss it, Mr..
Dorsey also refused to make any
statement.
The prison commission to-day re-
ceived a petition from the Georgia
Society OF New York, through its
board of governors, urging that
Franks sentence be committed TO life
Imprisonment