Leo Frank Case
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
What region(s) of Georgia did the event take place in?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The Leo Frank case involved several individuals and groups. Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in Atlanta, Georgia, was accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old girl who worked at his factory. The authorities, including the police, prosecutor Hugh Dorsey, and judge Leonard Roan, were involved in investigating and trying the case. The public was also heavily involved, with media coverage and public opinion playing a significant role.
The event started when Mary Phagan was found murdered in the basement of the National Pencil Company in Atlanta on April 26, 1913. Leo Frank was arrested and charged with the crime. He stood trial and was found guilty based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies, despite inconsistent and contradictory evidence. The case garnered significant attention and an anti-Semitic sentiment arose during the trial. Frank was sentenced to death by hanging, but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison by the Georgia governor. However, a mob broke into the prison and lynched Frank on August 17, 1915.
The events of the Leo Frank case unfolded in Atlanta, Georgia. The factory where the murder occurred was located in downtown Atlanta, and the subsequent trial and lynching took place in the city as well.
The Leo Frank case took place in the state of Georgia.
The event occurred between 1913 and 1915. Mary Phagan was murdered in April 1913, and Leo Frank was lynched in August 1915.
The Leo Frank case is important to Georgia's history due to several reasons. It highlights the history of prejudices and anti-Semitism in the state and the country as a whole. The case also raises questions about the fairness of the justice system and the importance of due process. The lynching of Leo Frank is a dark chapter in Georgia's history, reflecting the deep racial tensions and mob violence prevalent during that time. The case has had a lasting impact on the legal system and public perception, leading to the formation of the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations advocating for justice and civil rights.