Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-10
LIFE PRISONERS
PLEA FOR PARDON
Application Of Thomas Williams
Before Board Today,
STRONG OPPOSITION TO 1T.
Prisoner Was Convicted Of Killing
Joseph y. Hntcbings In
February, 1883.

The State board OF pardons met In
special session today to consider the
application for executive clemency OF
Thomas Williams. now undergoing a
life sentence for the killing Of Joseph
h. Hutchlngs at the Mammoth mine on
February Fl, 1855. S, p Armstrong ap-
peared in behalf Of the petitioner. while
the family OF Hutchings. who are
strongly opposed TO the granting OF a
pardon, We're represented by Judge o.
W. Powers.
Quite a number OF the relatives OF
the murdered man were In attendance
at today's proceedings. and took deep
interest in all that transpired. They
believe the judgment and sentence OF
Williams TO have been a Just one;
they insist that II should be carried out.
Claiming that there are no circum-
stances in the case which would war
rant any clemency.
Attorney Armstrong took the POSI-
lion that Williams ought never TO have
been convicted Of murder In the first
degree. and claimed that the man had
been punished enough for what he had
done. He read numerous letters, afi-
dayits and petitions to the board In
favor OF Williams. Many persons stat
ed that the prisoners character be-
fore the murder was good; that he was
known as quiet lnoffensiye and
peaceful citizen. The prison authori-
ties stated that his conduct since con,
ilnement has been Of a most exemplary
character
Other afiidavits went to show that
Hutchings had threatened Williams, be-
cause the latter, who was a shift boss,
had discharged Hutchlngs from the
Mammoth mine.
Afiidayits Of parties were signed set
ting forth that Williams did not receive
a fair trial, for the reason he was not
ready with his witnesses, and that the
court Judge Emerson) refused TO grant
a continuance. The whole OF the morn
ing was taken up with the reading Of
these various papers,
OBJECTED TO BAsKIN.
AS soon as Attorney Armstrong had
concluded the reading Judge Powers
was heard In opposition. He objected
70 Justice Baskin sitting In the case for
the reason that at former hearing. be-
fore the Judge became a member OF the
board. he had made affidavit showing
an Incident against the character OF
Huichings.
Justice Baskin explained that he
would sit With the board In open ses-
sion, but II the other members thought
he was disqualified on account Of the
afiidavit, he had previously presented.
he would not take any part In the final
disposition OF the case when II was con.
sldered In executive session. The in.
cident here dropped.
Judge Powers then asked the priyi-
lege OF being allowed 10 keep his seat
while presenting his side Of the case,
stating as q reason that he was worn
out over the Denbrook trial. The re.
quest was granted. He then proceeded
TO read the AFFIDAVIT OF Henry Kohl who
al the time OF the murder was em-
ployed at the Mammoth, and an eye
witness Of the affair. Kohl describes
the murder as brutal in the extreme.
He was not subpoenaed as witness al
the trial. and says he did not say much
about the shooting, as he was afraid OF
his life. Other afiidavlts. letters and
petitions OF parties protesting against
the granting OF pardon were read. az
ter which Attorney Hutchinson offered
similar documents In rebuttal