Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.
Atlanta Georgian
August 18th, 1913
The eyes of Leo Frank’s wife and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Emil Selig, were constantly upon him as he sat in the witness chair talking conversationally with the jurors. His mother seldom looked at him, maintaining her usual attitude, looking slightly downward and toward the judge’s bench.
Frank had been talking only 10 minutes when they unexpectedly was interrupted by a heated argument between the opposing attorneys over Frank’s explaining the time slips, including the one which the defense claims was taken from the time clock Sunday morning following the finding of Mary Phagan’s body.
Frank had mentioned the time slips and was undertaking to make an explanation of the manner they are used when Attorney Rosser called for the slips for Frank to explain before the jury.
Solicitor Dorsey made an instant objection, arguing that the slips had not yet been placed in evidence. All four of the principal attorneys interested in the case were on their feet at once, two and sometimes three of them, were talking at the same time.
Papers Withheld.
Judge Roan was compelled to caution them to proceed parliamentarily. His r
uling was that Frank might refer to them as much as he pleased, but that he must not go before the jury with them until they had been properly identified and offered for evidence. The same situation developed when Frank sought to explain the details of his work by means of papers and records of his office. He was allowed to sit in his chair and refer to them but not to exhibit them to the jurors.
Fearless and Direct.
Frank talked to the jurors directly and fearlessly. There was no trace of uncertainty in his voice or in his manner. He appeared exacty as though he were in an informal conference with some persons interested in the factory and was outlining his duties and leading up to some particular incident that had engaged their attention and interest.
He was entirely at ease. He assumed an easy pose in his chair, gestured frequently as he proceeded with his narrative, and occasionally changed his position. His hands most of the time were clasped in front of him, except when he illustrated a point with an unconscious gesture. He found it necessary often to adjust his glasses which seemed not to fit him perfectly.
Tells Complete Story.
He touched only briefly on his early history, telling merely of his place of birth, his career in school and college, his short business experience after his graduation and finally his coming to Atlanta in 1908 to take charge of the National Pencil Factory.
He began with Friday, August 25, the day before the crime and recounted his movements almost minute by minute. Coming to the fatal Saturday, he told of leaving his home, reaching his office, talking with his employees and taking up the work of the day.
He was given orders, records, acknowledgement of orders, record sheets, financial sheets and all the other minute details that are involved in the work of the office. Those that had been submitted in evidence he took before the jury and explained at length and in detail the amount of work required in getting these out.
His Own Best Witness
Notebook in hand, Solicitor Dorsey took a seat almost directly in front of Frank, but this appeared to disturb the prisoner not in the least.
Through the major share of the remarkable address, with its clear-cut statements and explanations, there was little or no attempt at oratory, but the speech was unquestionably a most eloquent argument. As had been prophesied, Frank was his own best witness.
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