Monday, May 12th, 1913, Phagan Case Is Delayed

Grand Jury Presentation Not Likely This Week as Solicitor Works to Strengthen Evidence

The Mary Phagan murder case may not reach the Grand Jury this week. Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey indicated as much Monday morning as he began the painstaking work of sorting through the massive volume of testimony gathered by the Coroner's jury and city police, separating what is essential from what is not.

The delay is deliberate. Dorsey wants all critical evidence arranged in a clear and systematic form before he places the matter before the Grand Jury. He stated plainly that he will not present the case until he has carefully sifted through every piece of evidence in hand.

Asked when the case might reach the jury, Dorsey said he had no fixed timeline, only that it would happen at the earliest possible moment once a proper case had been assembled. Grand Jury Foreman L. H. Beck confirmed that the jurymen are standing by, ready to convene on short notice whenever the Solicitor gives the word.

"While the jury has the right to call on the Solicitor to present the case at any time, we will wait until he says he is ready," Beck said. "We are holding ourselves in readiness and can assemble in a comparatively short while."

Dorsey said recent developments have given him reason to believe the case could reach the jury before the end of the week, with Friday being a possibility. Even so, he acknowledged that each new piece of evidence requires corroboration and investigation of its reliability, making some degree of delay unavoidable as the case continues to develop.

Private Detective Working Independently

Dorsey made clear Monday that he is placing significant confidence in his own private detective, whom he described as the best in the country. The investigator is working entirely independently of both the Pinkerton agency and city detectives, and Dorsey said the man is making meaningful progress in the deeply complex case.

Pinkertons Directed to Find the Truth

The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, retained by the National Pencil Company, has been given firm instructions to pursue the investigation wherever it leads. Operatives recently sought direction from Luther Rosser, the company's attorney, who was equally firm in his reply.

"Find the murderer of Mary Phagan," Rosser told them. "Work with the police, work with anyone, work any way that might bring results. Let your chips fall where they may. You are employed to hunt the murderer until he is found and convicted. It matters not who is guilty."

Five Pinkerton operatives are currently assigned to the case under Assistant Superintendent Harry Scott. They are coordinating with city authorities through Detective Black.

Frank Receives Attorney Visit

Leo M. Frank received a brief visit from Rosser at his cell in the Tower on Sunday. The meeting was short, and Rosser described it afterward as a social call, saying the case itself was not discussed.