Monday, 27th April 1914: Dorsey And Juror Hold Conference, The Atlanta Constitution

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Marcellus Johenning and the Solicitor Refuse to Discuss What Passed at Their Meeting.

The news which leaked from the office of Solicitor Dorsey yesterday that Dorsey had held a secret conference with Marcellus Johenning, a juror in the Frank case, has created wide speculation in camps of both the prosecution and defense. Dorsey, when asked about the secret conference, had nothing to say. He seemed surprised that it had become known. Johenning would not talk, saying that he had merely had a few words with the solicitor. He would not divulge the nature of their conversation and asked the reporter to please not press questions.

The solicitor's forces were busy Sunday considering the amazing developments from the defense during the past few days. The letters that were published Sunday morning, as well as the affidavits in which Conley is alleged to have confessed to Mary Phagan's murder, will be investigated this week. Numerous witnesses were brought to the solicitor's office Friday and Saturday for the purpose of making affidavits, and he has accumulated a mass of evidence which will be used in a vigorous opposition to the new trial movement which the defense is making before Judge Hill.

Mr. Dorsey plans to hold secret all evidence until the time of its presentation to Judge Hill. The evidence which he is believed to have obtained from Juror Johenning is being guarded closely. He is also carefully guarding numerous affidavits said to have been made by witnesses who have also made affidavits for the defense.

Detective Burns said Sunday that there was no doubt that Conley was guilty, and that, in due time, he would place before Solicitor Dorsey facts that would convince the prosecution that Frank was innocent. One of the strongest foundations for Burns' statement is the series of letters, which, as the detective stated in his interview in Sunday morning's Constitution, were written by Jim Conley. These letters were revealed to newspaper men, but were too vile for publication. They are shot through with Conley's lust for the Negro woman to whom they were written. Burns says he has also come in possession of numerous letters from other sources which were written by the convicted accomplice.