ALONZO MANN

  • Alonzo Mann Affidavit, November 10th, 1982, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

    A transcript of videotaped testimony that Alonzo Mann gave in 1982 regarding the murder of Mary Phagan 70 years earlier. Although the first pardon application immediately following this affidavit was denied, it was later approved in a second attempt three years later. The full transcript is below. IN THE MATTER OF THE POSTHUMOUS PARDON APPLICATION FOR LEO FRANK Videotaped testimony of ALONZO MANN, taken on behalf of the applicants requesting the pardon for Leo Frank, reported by Linda M. Lewis, Certified Court Reporter and Notary Public, at the Riviera Hyatt Hotel, Brookwood Suite, Atlanta, Georgia, on the 10th day of
  • Page 1 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982.

    A F F I D A V I T IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, COUNTY OF SULLIVAN The undersigned, being duly sworn, deposes as follows: My name is Alonzo McClendon Mann. I am 83 years old. I was born near Memphis Tennessee, on August 8, 1898. My father was Alonzo Mann, who was born in Germany. My mother was Hattie McClendon Mann. When I was a small boy my family moved to Atlanta where I spent most of my life. In 1913 I was the office boy for Leo M. Frank, who ran the National Pencil Co. That was the
  • Page 2 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    practically nothing. I was nervous and afraid that day. There were crowds in the street who were angry and who were saying that Leo Frank should die. Some were yelling things like, "Kill the Jew!" I was very nervous. The courtroom was filled with people. Every seat was taken. I was interested mostly in getting out of there. I spoke with a speech impediment and had trouble pronouncing the 'r' in Frank's name in those days. The lawyers put their heads together and said that it was obvious I knew nothing and since I was so young they would let
  • Page 3 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    My job required that I open the mail, file papers, keep the office orderly, run errands and the like. Leo Frank arrived in the building that morning shortly after I did. He came into the office and spoke to me. I always called him "Mister Frank" and he referred to me by my given name, "Alonzo." I do not know whether Leo Frank had seen Jim Conley on the first floor when he came into the building that morning. A substitute secretary worked for Leo Frank that morning. As I remember, it was routine Saturday morning for me at the
  • Page 4 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    She had told me that if she was unable to come, for me not to worry. I waited for her for a few minutes. Since I didn't care that much about seeing the parade I went back to work. I can't be sure as to exactly how long I was gone, but it could not have been more than half hour before I got back to the pencil factory. I had no idea that I was about to witness an important moment in a famous murder case--a moment that has not been made public until now; that I was about
  • Page 5 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    the shaft would have been open. Conley could have dumped her down the empty elevator shaft. I believe for some reason, Jim Conley turned around toward me. He either heard by footsteps coming or he sensed I was behind him. He wheeled on me and in a voice that was low but threatening and frightening to me he said: "If you ever mention this I'll kill you." I turned and took a step or two--possibly three or four steps--up toward the second floor, but I must have worried about whether the office upstairs was closed. I did hear some movement
  • Page 6 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    the building and saw Conley with the body. When Frank went to trial and I was called as a witness, my mother tole me I would have to go and testify. She repeated to me what she already had told me the day of Mary Phagan's murder. She told me to keep to myself what I had seen. She said if it were not asked a specific question I did not have to give a specific answer. Jim Conley was the chief witness against Leo Frank. He testified that Frank had called him to his office a little after noon
  • Page 7 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    girl's money and grabbed her. I do not think sex was his motive. I believe it was money. Her pay was never found in the building after she died. Many times I have thought since all of this occurred almost 70 years ago that if I had hollered or yelled for help when I ran into Conley with the girl in his arms that day that I might have saved her life. I might have. On the other hand, I might have lost my own life. If I had told what I saw that day I might have saved Leo
  • Page 8 of 8: Rare, Alonzo Mann Affidavit, March 4th, 1982

    until it was too late to save Leo Frank's life. They will say that being young is no excuse. They will blame my mother. The only thing I can say is that she did what she thought was best for me and the family. Other people may hate me for telling it. I hope not, but I am prepared for that, too. I know that I haven't a long time to live. All that I have said is the truth. When my time comes I hope that God understands me better for having told it. That is what matters most.
  • ADL, Atlanta Jewish Federation, and American Jewish Committee Petitioned for Posthumous Pardon of Leo Frank, Denied in 1982-1983, a Biased TV News Reporting by the Legacy Media, Circa 1983-1984. Video Streaming: Posthumous pardon to Leo Frank denied (1984) Stream Video Download: Posthumous pardon to Leo Frank denied (1984) Download The trial testimony, including the exhibits put forward by the defense and prosecution, was collectively reviewed by the Supreme Court of Georgia and the United States Supreme Court, with decisions rendered in 1914 and 1915. No technical errors were found in the trial and the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in its final decision that the evidence of the Leo Frank trial sustained his conviction. The evidence from Alonzo Mann didn't provide any new evidence to overturn Leo Frank's guilt (Jim
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