GEORGE GORDON, Sworn In For The State, 164th To Testifyv

George Gordon, 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)
Attorney George Gordon, Minola McKnight’s counsel, testified that he arrived at the police station with habeas corpus proceedings to secure her release. He waited outside the interrogation room for two hours while others (including Pickett, Craven, February, Albert McKnight, Starnes, and Campbell) questioned her. When he demanded entry, the door was unlocked from inside, and he was admitted. He found February reading a stenographic statement to Minola; she confirmed it was “about that way.” The signed affidavit (State’s Exhibit J) was on the table upon his return from Dorsey’s office—he was absent during the actual signing.
Gordon recounted conversations with Solicitor Dorsey:

Dorsey admitted Minola was held illegally but refused to order her release, fearing he would “get in bad with the detectives.”
Dorsey suggested Gordon take habeas corpus and wait a day; Gordon refused.
Chief Beavers also declined bond without Dorsey’s approval, citing “suspicion.”

Gordon heard Starnes instruct secrecy: “This must be kept very quiet.” He was surprised when the affidavit appeared in newspapers days later. He never saw Minola’s prior statement to Dorsey and was not told she had already confessed.
On cross-examination, Gordon revealed:

Minola was locked in a cell, crying and hysterical,
Detectives admitted no warrant,
She was held from morning until 4 p.m. the next day,
Dorsey knew of the detention but claimed no responsibility.

On re-direct, Gordon confirmed:

He was present only for part of the statement (including wage details),
Starnes and Campbell came and went,
He was Minola’s attorney, not an interrogator.

This testimony—called by the State—severely damaged the prosecution by exposing illegal detention, coercion, and secrecy, while validating defense claims that Minola’s affidavit was extracted under duress.