Friday, 11th June 1915: Curram Is On Trial On Charge Of Murder, The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta Constitution,
Friday, 11th June 1915,
PAGE 7, COLUMN 1.
George Curram is on trial for his life for the murder of Charlie Maloof in the Fulton Superior Court before Judge Ben Hill. But five Jurors had qualified on Thursday, and the remaining seven will be chosen this morning. J. Boykin, Hughes Roberts, and others, were seated at the table assigned to Defendant's Counsel as the Jurors were being selected Thursday. Assistant Solicitor Stevens swore all the Witnesses in the Case, and asked the Rule. Over forty Witnesses thereupon retired to the Witness Room.
Leonard J. Grossman has been employed as the Special Counsel to be associated with the State by prominent Assyrian Merchants of Atlanta, and the brothers of the murdered man.
Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, who was in Conference with the Governor Thursday morning relative to the Frank Case, was not in Court until preceding adjournment, but it is understood he will personally conduct the Prosecution, assisted by Special Counsel and his usual Staff of Deputies.
PAGE 12, COLUMN 2
FINAL PLEA FOR FRANK
TO BE MADE SATURDAY
Remarks of the Governor Construed as Meaning That He Would Pass on Appeal.
The final Plea for a Commutation of the Death Sentence imposed on Leo Frank for the killing of Mary Phagan will be heard by Governor Slaton Saturday morning at 9 o'Clock.
The time was agreed upon by Attorneys representing Frank and Solicitor Hugh Dorsey at a meeting in the Governor's Office Thursday morning.
That Governor Slaton will act upon the Petition for Clemency and not pass it to his Successor was deduced from remarks the Governor made during the Conference.
Saturday Agreed Upon.
Attorney Howard made the formal motion for a Hearing, and the Governor asked both sides what time would be agreeable. Saturday morning at 9 o'Clock was decided upon.
From Solicitor Dorsey's remarks, it is thought probable, that several Out-of-Town Gentlemen will likely appear and ask to be heard. He did not state who they were.
Attorney Howard outlined the Argument that he would present for Executive Clemency. He said that the Governor would be asked to review what had been presented to the Prison Commission Judge Roan's letter, the letters of Jim Conley to Maude Carter in Jail, the letter written by Mrs. Frank, to the Prison Commission, the Report of Physicians who examined Frank, and the opinion of handwriting experts.
Attorney Howard told the Governor that it would take about ten hours to read the Records. Solicitor Dorsey said he believed it would take at least two days.
Remarks of Governor.
The remarks made by the Governor, which it was believed indicated that he would hear the Petition and make a Decision before Judge Harris became Governor, were as follows:
"I have my message to the Legislature to write and have other details of closing my Administration to dispose of, all of which will keep me very busy until the last day of my term. So, if there was any way in which the responsibility for passing on this Case could be left to my Successor, I would be inclined, owing to the shortness of time allowed me to study the Case, to do so. But since the Date set for Frank's Execution, June 22, comes within my term, I would like for you gentlemen to expedite the Hearing as much as possible, to give me time to familiarize myself with the Record and the Arguments."