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On , Joseph Hillstrom was convicted in the
District of Salt Lake County of the murder of J. G. Morrison
and the jury having made no recommendation for mercy. His case was appealed to the Supreme Court
of Utah and on the judgment of the Trial court was
affirmed and Hillstrom resentenced to be shot Oct. 1st.,. Sept.
the Board of Pardons heard and denied his application for
commutation. Sept. 30, you requested a stay of execution
of the sentence in order to permit the Swedish Minister to present
his views of the case. Upon the same day at your request only, on
the assumption that you were in possession of facts not presented to
the Board, I granted a respite until Oct. 16th, the date of the regular
meeting of the Board of Pardons, especially requesting that the
Swedish Minister personally investigate the case and appear before the
Board. Under date , you advised me that your only reason
for interceding was the request of the representative
of a foreign government. Oct. 16, at the regular Board
meeting an open hearing was had furnished uncollaberative of the case. Hillstrom's
attorney advised the Board that he had absolutely nothing new to present,
that would shed further light on the case and through his attorney,
Hillstrom positively refused to appear before the Board in person.
The only representative in the convict's behalf was a short telegram
from the Swedish minister requesting commutation of sentence.