Between the 1880s and 1930, Georgia experienced numerous instances of mob violence often resulting in murder. Over this period over 400 individuals were murdered in such a manner. Politicians often played to white fears of the growing African American community and newspapers fanned racial tensions.

In the same year as the Court of Appeals was created, a mob incited by newspaper articles reporting alleged assaults by African Americans on Caucasian women assaulted African Americans and damaged their businesses. A number of African Americans were killed during the riots which continued for several days.

The overwhelming number of victims of mob violence in Georgia were African American males. Often the justification was purported or attempted assault or rape of a white woman. Leo Frank was one of the few white victims of the lynch mobs. Leo Frank was Jewish and bias against his ethnicity may have contributed to the public agitation in his case.

Source: New Georgia Enclycopedia, Lynching and Atlanta Race Riot of 1906