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?
In the Leo Frank case, the main individuals involved were Leo Frank, Mary Phagan, Jim Conley, and the members of the jury. The event took place in Atlanta, Georgia, at the National Pencil Company, where Leo Frank was the superintendent. The case occurred in the late summer and early fall of 1913.
On April 26, 1913, 13-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee at the National Pencil Company, was found dead in the factory basement. Leo Frank, who was Jewish, was arrested and accused of her murder. Jim Conley, an African American janitor at the factory, became a key witness against Frank, claiming that he had helped dispose of the body at Frank's command.
The trial took place in 1913 and was marred by anti-Semitic sentiments, public prejudice, and a lack of definitive evidence. Despite doubts regarding Frank's guilt, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Subsequently, the governor of Georgia, John Marshall Slaton, commuted Frank's sentence to life imprisonment.
The Leo Frank case is important to Georgia's history as it revealed the presence of anti-Semitism and racial biases in the justice system and society at the time. The trial and subsequent events sparked strong reactions, leading to the formation of groups like the Anti-Defamation League to combat prejudice. It also highlighted the struggle for justice and fairness within Georgia's legal system.