Major Participants
Leo Frank in courtroom. His wife, Lucille Frank, is behind him. Copyright Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Courtesy of Georgia State University via Digital Library of Georgia.
Leo Frank’s trial took place from July 28 to August 26, 1913. Major participants included:
- Jim Conley: sweeper at National Pencil Company; primary witness for prosecution.
- Hugh M. Dorsey: solicitor general (prosecutor) for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Dorsey worked closely, although not always harmoniously, with police to prepare their case.
- Leo Frank: defendant
- Lucille and Rae Frank: Frank’s wife, Lucille, and his mother, Rae, attended each day of the trial. Both women publicly professed their belief in Frank’s innocence and criticized the investigation.
- Newt Lee: night watchman at National Pencil Company; Lee discovered Mary Phagan’s body.
- Alonzo Mann: Frank’s office boy and a character witness.
- L. S. Roan: judge assigned to case.
- Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold: lead defense attorneys. Rosser had an outstanding reputation as a trial lawyer who specialized in cross-examination.
- William Smith: Conley’s attorney; prepared Conley for cross-examination.
- Jury: composed of all white men.
- Crowds: standing-room only, plus many more outside the courtroom. The crowd, which favored the prosecution, responded loudly to some court actions.
