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

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Here is the translated text as follows:

306 X. AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

The defendant is presumed to have a good character. Had he not put his character in issue, it would have been presumed, and the State would have been absolutely helpless in proving that this man was not as good a man as lived in the City of Atlanta. It's a mighty easy thing, if a man is worth anything, if a man attains to any degree of respectability, to get someone to sustain his character. However, it's the hardest thing known to a lawyer to get people to impeach the character of another. In the Durant case, his character was unimpeached. The defendant here put his character in issue, and we accepted the challenge and met it, I submit to you. Now, if we concede that this defendant in this case was a man of good character—a thing we don't concede—still, under your oath and under the law that His Honor will give you in charge, as is laid down in 88 Georgia, page 92, "Proof of good character will not hinder conviction, if the guilt of the defendant is plainly proved to the satisfaction of the jury."

First, you have got to have the good character before it weighs a feather in the balance. Remember that the hardest burden, so far as proof is concerned, that ever rests on anybody is to break down the character of a man who really has character. I ask you if this defendant stands before you as a man of good character.

Mr. Arnold, as though he had not realized the force of the evidence here against the man who, on April 26th, snuffed out the life of little Mary Phagan, in his desperation stood up in this presence and called nineteen or twenty of these reputable, high-toned girls, though they be working girls, "crack-brain fanatics and liars." They have hurled that word around here a good deal, too. If that's an attribute of great men and great lawyers, I here and now proclaim to you that I have no aspirations to attain them. Not once will I say that anybody has lied, but I'll put it up to you as twelve honest, conscientious men to say by your verdict where the truth lies and who has lied. I'm going to be satisfied with your verdict, too—I know this.