Harry Scott — Sworn In for the State — 186th Witness to Testify

Harry Scott, witness for the State in rebuttal, at the Trial of Leo Frank in the Fulton County Superior Court of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1913 (Testimony Portion From July 28 - August 21, 1913; Closing Arguments August 21-25, 1913)
Pinkerton detective Harry Scott testified that while touring the factory basement with Leo Frank on April 28, he personally picked up a piece of cord similar to that found around Mary Phagan’s neck. He examined Newt Lee’s shirt and found no discoloration except blood. Scott stated he first learned Jim Conley could write from McWorth upon returning to Atlanta, contradicting Frank’s claim that he (Frank) had been the one to reveal this fact.
Scott recounted a two-hour interview with Frank and Detective John Black on May 3 at the jail, during which they confronted Frank with information that N. V. Darley had been seen associating with factory girls despite being married. Frank responded that Darley was “the soul of honor,” that they had “the wrong man,” and that it would be “peculiar” for a man in Darley’s position to engage in such behavior—implying Frank claimed ignorance of any impropriety.
On cross-examination, Scott confirmed the interview lasted approximately two hours and ended without further incident. This testimony was offered to:

Undermine Frank’s credibility regarding his role in discovering Conley’s literacy;
Suggest Frank was either lying or willfully blind about immoral activities at the factory;
Place incriminating cord in the basement under Frank’s own guidance.