Saturday, 13th September 1913: Attack Is Renewed On Frank Juror, The Atlanta Constitution

Citizens Declare That Henslee Has Not Been in Town Since Trials Close.

Renewing their attack upon Juror A. H. Henslee, one of the twelve men who convicted Leo M. Frank of the murder of Mary Phagan, the attorneys for the defense Monday obtained affidavits from J. J. Nunnally and W. L. Ricker, of Monroe, Ga., in which the two men reiterated their charges bias and prejudice against Henslee and replied to his statement that he uttered his denunciation of Frank after, and not before the trial.

Nunnally and Ricker asserted in their second affidavit that so far as they knew Henslee had not been in Monroe since the trial of Frank, and that, therefore, they could not have overheard him in his violent outbreak since the verdict was returned.

They swore that to the best of their recollection Henslees bitter attack on Frank and the declaration of his belief in Franks guilt took place sometime in June.

They said they had noticed in the public prints Henslees admission that he had made denunciatory remarks against Frank, but they all had been uttered after the evidence was in and the verdict returned.

This, they swore, was false, as they had not seen Henslee since the trial.

Characters Sworn To.

Affidavits also have been obtained from other leading citizens of Monroe testifying to the standing and character of Nunnally and Ricker.

Without exception, they assert that these men are entirely reliable and trustworthy and of good character.

Among those who signed the character affidavits were R. C. Knight, former Ordinary of the county; L. G. Nowell, Solicitor of the City Court of Monroe; J. B. Shellnut, Clerk of the City Court, and Alonzo C. Stone, judge of the City Court.

Henslee is standing by his original declaration that he gave no expression of belief in Franks guilt before the trial.

He admits having made the remarks, but insists that they were made after the jury had been discharged from duty.

He has been in conference with Solicitor Dorsey and it is anticipated that a determined fight will be made to establish his fairness and lack of prejudice in the consideration of the evidence.

Dorsey Back at Work.

The Solicitor and his assistant, A. E. Stephens, resumed hard work on Monday on their answer to the 115 reasons for a new trial submitted by the attorneys for the defense.

Dorsey believes that the convicted man is not entitled to a new trial and is preparing himself thoroughly to fight every move of Franks lawyers.

The hearing of the motion will take place next Saturday before Judge L. S. Roan unless the Solicitor asks for a further delay.

In view of the vast amount of work entailed it is not at all improbable that more time will be requested.