In a letter, Brigham Young believes the judges wanted inquiry into massacre to remain open to paint a negative picture of the Church.
Brigham Young, Letter to Wm. W. Belknap, May 21, 1872, CR 1234 1, Church History Library
It is now 14 years since that tragedy was enacted, and the courts have never tried to prosecute the accused; although some of the judges, like judge Hawley, have used every opportunity to charge the crime upon prominent men in Utah, and inflame public opinoin against our community.