This collection contains court exhibit evidence and photocopied newspaper clippings concerning

the trial and conviction of Joseph Henry Martin. Martin was tried in the 2 nd District Court for

Weber County for assault with a deadly weapon after shooting David Edwards, a Pinkerton

detective, while encountering an extortion ring. Martin was convicted in 1914 and sentenced to

the Utah State Prison for 5 years. Tried again in the same court, Martin was convicted in 1915 on

charges of robbery and given a life sentence.

Typescript transcriptions in the collection include extortion letters addressed to Mrs. Thomas D.

Dee, Mrs. David Eccles, and Mrs. Boyle among others.

Also included are a court exhibit book and a CD-R of scans of the other court exhibit book held

by the Utah State Archives containing photographs bearing court exhibits of x-rays of buckshot

in Martin’s leg, handwriting comparisons, property lists, and correspondence.

Also included in the collection is photocopied newspaper articles from 1913 – 1915 covering

each stage of the case.

More materials related to People vs. J.H. Martin collection can be found at the Utah State

Archeves, Series 4101.