Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.
Atlanta Constitution
July 29th, 1913
Men Who May Be Called to Stand Report Trial by Attorney’s Agreement.
Just as the state was about to open formally its case against Leo M. Frank, Attorney Reuben R. Arnold interrupted by declaring to the court that he expected to have to call on a number of newspaper men to testify as the case went on.
“They know a great deal about this case, and we have complete files of the papers here and will be able to tell to a certain extent from them whom we will want,” he said.
“I may want to use some of them, too,” said Solicitor Hugh Dorsey.
“Well, your honor, I’m willing to waive the right to put these gentlemen under the rule, if the state is willing to do so,” continued Mr. Arnold.
“Why don’t you name the ones you will need and let them leave the courtroom?” replied the solicitor.
“I can’t tell until things develop how many I may want. I may have to call in every man at the press table over there,” he continued, waving one hand at the table around which a perspiring group of men sat writing down the developments of the case.
Solicitor Dorsey then agreed to allow all newspaper men who might be used as witnesses, to remain in the courtroom and continue their work, with the provision that some of them who would later be put on the stand would have to absent themselves while certain others were testifying.
No mention of the names of the men needed were made by either side, but it has been generally expected that several of The Constitution men who went to the scene of the crime on that Sunday morning, when The Constitution got out the exclusive extra telling of the crime, would be placed on the stand.
Testimony as to statements made by witnesses to newspaper men, as shown in the various papers, is also expected to be brought into the trial.