Mary Phagan 's murder in Atlanta spawned an Atlanta trial that 's still talked about today . Leo Frank was arrested , later killed by mob of black community leaders . `` They were not liquored-up yahoos , '' said Oney , a journalist , editor and Atlanta native who spent 17 years researching his book . Case of hot buttons : North vs. South ; Jew vs. Christian ; black vs. white . Legacy continues through new books , films and descendants from all generations .
Mary Phagan 's murder in Atlanta spawned an Atlanta trial that 's still talked about today . Leo Frank was arrested , later killed by mob of black community leaders . Case of hot buttons : North vs. South ; Jew vs. Christian ; black vs. white . Legacy continues through new books , films and descendants from all generations .