525 Sheet – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

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Reading Time: 3 minutes [385 words]

Here is the translated text as follows:

WILLIAM WEMMS AND SEVEN OTHERS

It remains to be determined whether the publication of the evidence has tended more to the advantage or disadvantage of the prisoners. It is notorious that, by means of it, they have learned the strength of the evidence against them and had time to prepare to encounter it. This is evident from the points taken in their defense, which they have endeavored to address. Meanwhile, the counsel for the crown, despite their supposed assistance, having neither heard nor seen the evidence to be produced for the prisoners, were surprised at a great part of it. They did not have the same opportunity to prepare evidence to oppose it, which they might have found. However, it is futile to exclaim against the hard fate of the prisoners on account of that publication or any supposed rancor against them. You, gentlemen, know that you are not prejudiced in the cause, nor have you formed any judgment respecting it, as you have solemnly declared on your oaths. Nothing has been, or can be, objected to the credibility of the witnesses for the crown, and nothing appears of partiality in the manner or matter of their testimony. In fact, many things testified by them have been used by the counsel for the prisoners in their defense. These details could not have escaped any person whose mind was so unduly agitated with passion as has been complained of and pretended.

Relying upon it, therefore, gentlemen, that on the one hand, you have entertained none of these prejudices against the prisoners as complained of, and on the other hand, you will not suffer yourselves to be amused with a supposition of facts which do not exist, nor with representations and arguments which have no foundation, I shall endeavor to address myself to your cool and candid reason. In the briefest manner I am able, I will consider the evidence that has been offered in their defense, the arguments and law which have been applied to it, and then, observing on the evidence against the prisoners and the law operating thereon, I shall rest the matter with you for a solemn and final decision.

In the first place, gentlemen, you perceive that a very considerable part of the evidence produced by the prisoners is...

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