This video from The American Mercury’s series presents the first part of Hugh M. Dorsey’s closing arguments in the 1913 Leo Frank trial for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta. Spanning nine hours on August 22, 23, and 25, 1913, this segment, sourced from the Leo Frank Trial Brief of Evidence, focuses on Dorsey’s initial summation, presenting forensic evidence—blood and hair in the factory—and Jim Conley’s testimony, alleging Frank’s involvement. Dorsey detailed the timeline of Phagan’s murder on April 26, 1913, arguing Frank, the Jewish superintendent, was the perpetrator. He dismissed antisemitism allegations, noting his respect for Jewish figures, and emphasized the evidence’s strength. Dorsey also cited factory girls’ testimonies about Frank’s predatory behavior, countering defense claims by Luther Rosser and Reuben Arnold. The trial concluded with Frank’s conviction, his 1915 lynching after a commutation, and the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) founding. The video notes the racial dynamics of the Jim Crow South, where Conley, a Black man, was believed over Frank, a white Jewish man, due to the evidence. As of May 22, 2025, the case remains contentious, with the Georgia Innocence Project pushing for exoneration, opposed by Phagan’s family. X discussions show division, with some citing Alonzo Mann’s 1982 affidavit, while others support the verdict. The video highlights Dorsey’s arguments as a critical lens on justice and bias.
