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Show The Salt Lake Tribune, February Wednesday, A3 5, 1986 Prosecutors Charge Hofmann With Two Murders and Fraud Continued From l was made at the request of media attorneys representing the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta A-- Chi. Mr. Hofmann is being held without bail on the murder charges which allege that he built and the planted deadly bombs that killed Mr. Christensen, 30, a successful businessman and LDS Church bishop, and Mrs Sheets, the wife of J. Gary Sheets, Mr. Christensen's former business partner. Mr. Christensen died on the morn-- ; ing of Oct. 15 when he picked up a d package left outside his office door in the Judge Building. A pipe bomb contained in the box exploded, spraying Mr. Christensen with metal fragments and cement nails apparently taped to the bomb. About three hours later, Mrs. Sheets, 50, picked up a similar box apparently addressed to her husband left beside their Holladay home at 4630 Naniloa Drive. The resulting blast killed her instantly. Police at first believed the murders stemmed from problems with CFS Investment Corp., a business owned by Mr. Sheets where Mr. Christensen once was an officer. But a third bomb that critically injured Mr. Hofmann the following day led investigators into a labyrinthine investigation into Mr. Hofmann and his documents deals. Only hours after Mr. Hofmann was injured, investigators, police and fed-- . eral officials said Mr. Hofmann was their prime suspect, and that indictments and charges would be sought that week. As the investiga-- ; tion proceeded and physical evidence detectives believed existed turned out to be less than incriminat-- ; ing investigators were forced to cirbuild a complex and cumstantial case that, for months, failed to satisfy prosecutors. While prosecutors would not say whether any new evidence prompted them to file charges, it has been no ' secret that investigators have been awaiting the results of tests on docuinments dealt by Mr. Hofmann White Salacluding the mander letter. While the results of booby-trappe- . ! those tests have not been released, sources have said that there is every appearance" of forgery in some of those documents. Other sources confirmed that, of the documents in question in the investigation, all but one deal with early Mormon history and all were deals in which Mr. Hofmann was asking large amounts of money. Investigators have said they believe that Mr. Hofmann was attempting to set the church up for the purchase of forgeries of the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. Regardless, detectives have said that their cases center around numerous documents deals in particMcLel-li- n ular the sale of the collection and believe that Mr. Hofmann feared being exposed as a fraud and killed Mr. Christensen to protect his reputation and then killed Mrs. Sheets as a diversion to force police into an investigation into CFS. In addition to the murder charges, Mr. Hofmann, 31, 2219 Marie Circle, is charged with two counts of delivery or placement of an infernal machine" (a bomb) for allegedly leaving the deadly shrapnel pipe bombs at the Judge Building office of Mr. Christensen and outside the Sheets home, and one count of construction or possession of an infernal machine" stemming from the device that shattered hi9 car and nearly killed him at 200 N. Main St. on Oct. 16. Mr. Hofmann is charged with 13 counts of second-degre- e felony theft most of them dealing by deception with his allegedly selling possibly forged, fraudulent or documents to the Church of Jesus Saints or its offiChrist of Latter-da- y cials, and other dealings with historical Mormon documents. In each of those transactions, according to the complaints, the amount stolen exceeded (1,000. Victims of the thefts include the LDS Church named in seven of the counts President Gordon B. Hinckley of the churchs First Presidency, Salt Lake City coin dealer Alvin Rust, Provo attorney and amateur historian Brent Ashworth and Gary Sheets and Steven Christensen. Ten other counts alleged Mr. Hofmann was involved in communica nt tions fraud, a relatively new Utah statute, which alleges that he devised a scheme or artifice to defraud another or to obtain from another money or anything of value by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, or material omissions . . . . Five of those e felonies, alcharges are leging that the value of the loss or the thing sought to be obtained was more than 3100,000. Those charges apparently deal with allegations that Mr. Hofmann either misrepresented documents or materials he had to potential buyers or experts, or attempted to sell the same documents over and over again. Six of the communications fraud charges deal directly with the homicides, and apparently involve his alleged attempts to sell the McLellin collection, a series of documents referred to in Mormon history that, if they exist, could prove embarrassing to the church. Salt Lake County Attorney Ted L. Cannon said those charges were contained in the same complaint as the homicide due to the time period in which they hapbetween April and October pened first-degre- 1985. The Tribune reported early on in the investigation that a piece of ancient Egyptian papyrus Mr. Hofmann allegedly implied came from the McLellin collection actually was a portion of the Egyptian Book of the Dead he purchased from a New England collector. Based on these and other representations, Mr. Hofmann was able to secure an uninsured loan from First Interstate Bank for 3185,000 through representations made by Elder Hugh W. Pinnock, a member of the banks board of directors and a general authority of the LDS Church. One of the fraud charges contains the same dates as that transaction took place. The complaints containing the fraud and theft counts each carry a request for 3100,000 bail. Trltoune Staff Photo toy Tim Kelly eight states. Mr. Cannon would not comment on the specifics of the complaints, stating the County Attorneys Office moved to have the probable-caus- e statements sealed to avoid any more unnecessary pretrial publicity. charges were filed, however, Mr. Cannon did say that forgery could be included as an element of either the theft by deception or communications fraud charges. Mr. Cannons office and prosecu- - He explained that separate complaints were filed to accommodate the various time frames of the alleged crimes. It is possible, Mr. Cannon said, that four separate trials will be held. Defense attorney Ronald ITe Yengich replied, don't have to prove nothing . . . We will show he is not guilty, and you'd better believe it. . . . the prosecution will not be able to prove he's guilty.'' Mr. Cannon would not comment on whether any further charges might be pending, nor whether the investigation was still looking at other individuals as possible accomplices in the crimes. Sources have said that, while forgery is apparent in at least some of the documents deals, who the forger is remains a mystery. No forgery In a news conference held after Judge Grant signed the complaints, Mr. Cannon said the filing of the charges was the culmination of perhaps the most complicated and difficult criminal investigation in Utah history, which led detectives to Dates Match Purchases by Christensen, Church Officials LDS Papers May Play Big Role in Charges By Dawn Tracy Tribune Staff Writer Controversial Mormon historical papers, top LDS officials, document collectors and a bombing victim may figure into sealed information filed after a three-mont- h bombing investi- , gation that culminated in murder charges against documents dealer Mark W. Hofmann on Tuesday. Mr. Hofmann was charged with two counts of murder and 26 other charges several alleging communications fraud and theft in connection with by deception the October bombing deaths of Steven Christensen and Kathleen Sheets, Of the 13 charges alleging theft by j deception, dates match time periods in which top Mormon officials, Mr. Christensen and other collectors purchased controversial church docu-- . ments. These documents include the infa- - mous white salamander letter Mr. . Hofmann sold to Mr. Christensen; a blessing in which church founder Joseph Smith promised his son, rather than colonizer Brigham Young, the presidency; a letter linking Smith to magic; and a letter in which Book of , Mormon stories are related long before the time Smith was supposed to have obtained golden plates containing the accounts. , According to the charges, the latest transaction between Mormon officials and Mr. Hofmann occurred Oct. 3, 1985. Mormon officials have not revealed the nature of the item they first-degr- . r purchased. LDS Church spokesman Jerry Cahill said comments at this time would be inappropriate. Fifth District Judge Paul G. Grant has sealed information dealing with specifics of the charges. In one count, it is alleged that Mr. Hofmann obtained control over property of Mr. Christensen and Mr. Sheets in January 1984 by deception. Messrs. Christensen and Sheets had bought for 340,000 the salamander letter from Mr. Hofmann that same month. The controversial letter, dated 1830, was written by early Mormon Martin Harris who described a white salamander that prevented Smith from obtaining golden plates. The story is not contained in official church history. In another charge it is alleged that Mr. Hofmann exercised control over Mormon church property by deception in April 1985. Again, the date is similar to the period in which Mr. Christensen donated the controversial salamander letter to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints. Other dates contained in the charges match times that top Mormon officials purchased documents from Mr. Hofmann. Locations given in the charges where some of the alleged frauds occurred gave addresses of the LDS Church Office and the Church Administration buildings. The Mormon Church is named as an alleged victim in seven of the charges involving theft by deception. CLIP & SAVE i I ibr i 143 j$alt akr ffibttnr Telephone Numbers J Do you need information, want sports scores, have a news story or feature you want to talk - about? Is your paper missing? Do you want to J discuss a classified or display advertisement? 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Hinckley, first counselor in Mormon officials announced in a the First Presidency, is named as a press release that Mr. Ashworth had donated to the church a copy of a letvictim in another count. ter written by Smiths mother, Lucy One count alleges that Mr. HofMack Smith. The letter, dated 1829, mann obtained or exercised control over Mormon Church property in related Book of Mormon stories long March 1981. Church officials said in before Smith was supposed to have an October press conference that found the golden plates. The fii-s-t theft count in one of the they obtained a blessing document from Mr. Hofmann in March 1981. complaints alleges that Mr. Hofmann The blessing is believed to be from victimized the Mormon Church on Smith, promising his son that the boy Oct. 13, 1980. Mormon officials have would someday be church president. said that during that same year they Mormon officials later gave 'he purchased an Anton transcript, be blessing to the Reorganized Church of iieved to contain characters presumJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In ably copied from the golden plates. return, RLDS officials donated an Coin dealer A1 Rust is named as early Book of Commandments, valued at 350,000, to the Mormon Church. another victim in the charges. Mr Rust said he gave Mr. Hofmann One RLDS source said Mormon offiMcLel3150,000 to obtain a cials used the Book of Commandlin collection of early Mormon documents as payment for the blessing. ments. Police have said they know of Another count alleges President no one who has seen the collection Hinckley purchased an item from Mr. Mr. Hofmann was attempting to sell, Hofmann in excess of 31,000 on Jan. documents exist. the doubt and they ex11, 1983. New York handwriting authentiwho Charles Hamilton, In a charge alleging communicapert cated an 1825 letter believed to be tions fraud, no victim is named but a written by Smith, said Mr. Hofmann date of June 28, 1985, is given in the sold the letter to LDS officials three complaint. Previously, Mormon official Hugh Pinnock confirmed that he years ago. Another charge alleges that Provo arranged for a 3185,000 loan for Mr. Hofmann on that same date so Mr. attorney Brent Ashworth was a victim of theft by deception on July 29, Hofmann could secure a McLellin collection. 1982. Three months from that date, Our Large Peter Piper Special comes topped with 6 delicious topgreen peppers, pepperom, bed, black olives, onions and pings real mozsalami. 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Neither Salt Lake City Police Chief Bud Willoughby nor Salt Lake County Sheriff Pete Hayward appeared at the news conference. In fact, none of Sheriff Haywards detectives appear as affiants on the complaints, even though they investigated the murder of Mrs. Sheets. Mr. Cannon would not say whether any single event precipitated the filing of charges Tuesday, and denied that outside pressure played any role in the issuing of complaints ... ... ON.WHOLE.STEAKLSECTIONS "Whole" "Whole" virs "Whole" U.S.O.A. Choice TOP BUTTS U.S.D.A. Choice U.S.D.A Choice RIB EYE'S (Sirloin Stooics) Avg. Wght. 1012 lbs. (Spencer Steaks) Avg. Wght. 810 lbs. BNLS. STRIP LOINS (New York Steaks) Avg. Wght. 1014 lbs. 3 LB. Cut & ' CUSTOM CUTTING, CURING ANO SMOKING SPECIALTIES: JERKY, SALAMI, AND ITALIAN AND POLISH SAUSAGE . PIPER w-.PlETE- liM LB. Freezer Wrapped Free Additional 25c for to go o'ders (IXPIRKS116S6) Cut and Save L Defense lawyers Ron Yengich anil Brad Rich both said they were taken by surprise by the filing of the charges Tuesday, although they had been expecting complaints for several weeks. Mr. Hofmann, dressed in a white and blue pants, was on jail crutches when he appeared before Judge Grant at the afternoon arraignment. The hearing had been scheduled earlier, however, it was postponed due to a mix-u- p in orders to transport the defendant to the courthouse from the jail. Mr. Hofmann answered clearly his attorneys questions regarding the coming bond hearing, although he appeared stiff and nervous in a courtroom packed with reporters and photographers. Following the arraignment, Mr. Yengich maintained his clients claim that he is not guilty of the crimes. We will put on evidence to show that, Mr. Yengich told reporters. But asked if he intended to prove Mr. Hofmanns innocence, Mr. Yengich replied, We dont have to prove We will show he is not nothing guilty, and youd better believe it. The prosecution will not be able to prove hes guilty. Information about what exactly Mr. Hofmann is charged with was scarce Tuesday, given the fact the probable-caus- e statements outlining the specifics had been sealed by the court. . LB. Best Buy Coupon at that particular time. 03IB23a(8 manu-script- letters and pictures sent at the owner's risk ond Keorns-Tribun- e Corporation assumes no responsibll-It- y for their custody or return. SUBSCRIPTION RATES I Carrier Delivery S 21 per copy Doily J Sunday with dolly $ 56 per copy S 98 per copy Sunday Only and Sunday by Carrier, Wednesday J by Moll (S L. 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Cannon says the filing of charges against Mark 25 South 595 West, Bountiful 292-757- 1 292-BEE- F hfWoM' MIDVALE 940 East Fort Union Blvd (In Family Center) 561 4800 SANDY 9495 South 700 Easl 571 1700 'now 7 LOCATIONS TAYLORSVILLE 4187 Redwood Road Soli lake City 262 2200 OGDEN 109 Harrisvilte Road (Five Points) 399 5513 KEARNS 3841 West 5400 South 967 6900 SUGARHOUSE 2203 Highland Drive Sail take City 487 6800 74 DODGE DART EXCEL COND BLUE. $1600 POWER 000-000- AIR STEERING, 0 MR A OF SALT LAKE SOLD HIS CAR ON THE 2ND CALL LAYTON North Main 776 1200 21 46 CLASSIFIED 237-200- 0 WANT-AD- S |