Who was involved in the Leo Frank Case? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
The Leo Frank Case involved various individuals and groups who were both directly and indirectly involved or affected by the event. These can be categorized as:
1. Leo Frank: Leo Frank was a Jewish factory manager and was the central figure in the case. He was accused of and later convicted for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913.
2. Mary Phagan: Mary Phagan was the victim in the case. She was an employee at the National Pencil Company in Atlanta, Georgia, where Leo Frank was her supervisor.
3. The Prosecution: The primary figures in the prosecution included Hugh M. Dorsey, the Fulton County, Georgia Solicitor General, who led the trial against Frank, and Frank Arthur Hooper, who served as an assistant prosecutor.
4. The Defense: Reuben Arnold and Luther Rosser were the main defense attorneys representing Leo Frank. They fought to prove Frank's innocence throughout the trial and subsequent appeals.
5. Witnesses: Numerous witnesses testified during the trial, including Jim Conley, an African-American janitor who claimed to have witnessed Frank with Phagan's body.
6. Detectives and Investigative Officials: Several detectives and investigative officials were involved in the case, including Harry Scott, a Pinkerton detective who initially investigated the crime, and George Epps, one of Atlanta's police detectives who worked on the case.
7. The Jury: Twelve jurors were selected to decide Leo Frank's fate during the trial.
8. The Families: The families of Leo Frank, Mary Phagan, and all other individuals involved in the case were directly and profoundly affected by the event.
9. The Public: The Leo Frank Case gained significant public attention, leading to involvement from various sections of society, particularly in Georgia. Public opinion was heavily polarized along racial, religious, and socio-economic lines.
10. The Jewish Community: The case had a profound impact on the Jewish community, both in Atlanta and nationwide. It highlighted issues of anti-Semitism and became a rallying point for Jewish organizations and individuals advocating for Frank's exoneration.
11. The Ku Klux Klan: The resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan played a significant role during and after the Leo Frank Case. Its members were vocally anti-Semitic, and its influence affected the case's outcome.
12. The Media: Newspapers and journalists played a central role in shaping public opinion during the case. Various media outlets, including The Atlanta Journal and The Macon Telegraph, covered the trial extensively and often biasedly.
13. Civil Rights Organizations: The case spurred the emergence of civil rights organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which was founded in response to the trial and sought to fight against anti-Semitism and bigotry.
14. Georgia's Legal System: The Leo Frank Case highlighted flaws and biases within Georgia's legal system and raised questions about procedural fairness.
15. The State of Georgia: The state of Georgia faced significant scrutiny and criticism for its handling of the Leo Frank Case. This event had a lasting impact on the state's history, legal system, and social climate.