Here Is Testimony of Witnesses Given at the Final Session of Coroner's Jury in Phagan Case Friday, May 9th, 1913

Full story of Thursday afternoon's hearing, when Frank, Newt Lee, detectives Black and Scott, and several character witnesses took the stand

The Verdict

At 6:30 Thursday evening, the coroner's jury returned its verdict: Mary Phagan came to her death by strangulation. Both Leo M. Frank and Newt Lee were to be held for investigation by the grand jury. With those words, one of the most remarkable inquests ever conducted in this state came to a close.

Deputy Plennie Minor carried the news to the two men held at the Tower.

He found Frank in the hallway, reading an afternoon paper. When the deputy informed him that the jury had ordered both he and the negro held for grand jury investigation, Frank received the news with composure.

"Well, it's no more than I expected at this time," he said, and offered nothing further.

Newt Lee's reaction was markedly different. Minor said the watchman was visibly affected, appearing deeply dejected as he hung his head at the news.

A Long and Exhausting Inquiry

Coroner Paul Donehoo empaneled the jury on Monday, April 28th. Over the weeks that followed, four long and tedious sessions were held to take testimony, in addition to an early session during which jurors inspected the body and the scene of the crime. Twice, on the coroner's order, the body of Mary Phagan was exhumed so that physicians could conduct more thorough examinations in search of evidence.

The findings of those medical examinations were never made public. Even the testimony of county physician Dr. J. W. Hurt was given behind closed doors. It is said that even before the jury, the physician did not go thoroughly into the details of his investigation.

Despite the length and weight of the proceedings, the jury reached its verdict after only twenty minutes of deliberation.

Evidence All Circumstantial

Both Frank and Lee were examined a second time by the coroner at Thursday afternoon's session, though neither man added substantially to what he had already said. Lee was questioned principally about the conversation Frank had with him at police headquarters.

Harry Scott, the Pinkerton operative assigned to the case, gave candid testimony about the limits of what the investigation has produced. Asked whether he had definite information identifying the killer, Scott declined to commit himself.

"I am working on a chain of circumstance," he said. "That is all."

City Detective John Black answered the same question with equal directness. He had no positive information, he said, as to who committed the murder.

A number of character witnesses were called toward the close of the inquest.