Sergeant L. S. Dobbs — Sworn In for the State — 180th Witness to Testify

Sergeant L. S. Dobbs, 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)
Atlanta police Sergeant L. S. Dobbs testified that on Sunday, April 27, 1913, he observed Mr. Rogers attempt to open the rear basement door of the National Pencil Company factory. The door was closed, and cobwebs and dust were present, indicating it had not been recently used. This testimony was offered to refute defense claims that the basement door was a possible entry or exit point for the murderer, supporting the State’s contention that Mary Phagan’s body was transported via the elevator and that the crime occurred entirely within the building.