Saturday, 6th December 1913: Frank Papers In Custody Of Court Clerk, The Atlanta Journal

Lawyers Completing Briefs to Be Ready for Supreme Court

December 15

Solicitor General Dorsey Saturday secured an order from Judge Ben H. Hill, of the criminal division of the superior court, for the return to the clerk's office of the original papers in the case against Leo M. Frank, convicted of the Mary Phagan murder.

The original papers were taken from the clerk's office on November 15 through an order signed by Judge Hill, which placed them in the hands of the counsel for the defense for twenty-five days from date.

The order was revoked, however, on the solicitor's plea, made through his assistant, A. E. Stephens, that the original papers were necessary for his preparation of his case before the supreme court.

Clerk John H. Jones called on Attorney Herbert Haas, of the Frank defense, for the papers early in the morning, but was met with the plea that Mr. Haas needed them.

After the order was secured, however, Mr. Haas returned the brief of evidence to the court, and by agreement, is to turn over Monday the amended motions and other papers.

The briefs on both sides of the supreme court three days before the date set for the argument, December 15, which means that both sides have very, little time to complete the work.

The brief for the defense is now practically completed, however, and will in the next few days be ready for filing.

Solicitor Dorsey, since the adjournment of the superior court Wednesday, has been constantly at work on the Frank case, and Saturday he spent the entire day in the law library at the capitol, preparing his brief.