The American Mercury’s Week Four Analysis: Leo Frank’s Testimony in the 1913 TrialThis video from The American Mercury’s centennial coverage explores the fourth week (August 18–24, 1913) of the Leo Frank trial, when Leo Frank took the stand to testify in his defense against charges of murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan at the National Pencil Company. Drawing from the Leo Frank Trial Brief of Evidence, it recounts Frank’s unsworn statement, where he denied involvement, claiming he was working in his office and had no interaction with Phagan beyond her wage payment. The episode highlights the prosecution’s cross-examination, which exposed discrepancies in his timeline, and the defense’s challenge against Jim Conley’s testimony and forensic evidence. Amidst antisemitism allegations and societal unrest, Frank’s testimony did not prevent his conviction, 1915 lynching, and the subsequent founding of the Anti-Defamation League, a legacy that continues to resonate in historical narratives.
