Uinta County prosecutor Scott Smith says the request of death row inmate Mark Hopkinson to take a polygraph test to vindicate his alleged cohort is "absolutely ridiculous."
"Mark Hopkinson is a person who has no credibility. It's exactly what you would expect from somebody in his situation. He would say anything to improve his own lot," Smith said Monday. "I think it's a desperation measure to bring himself publicity." In a recent letter to Smith, Hopkinson offered to submit to a polygraph test to answer questions relating to a pending criminal case against accused murder conspirator Alvin "Hap" Russell.Russell, and Todd Hall, both of Salt Lake City, are awaiting trial on charges filed against them more than two years ago. The two men are accused of conspiring with Hopkinson and aiding and abetting in the 1979 torture-murder of Bridger Valley resident Jeff Green.
"I don't know if (the polygraph request) was orchestrated by Hopkinson and Russell," Smith said. "Mark Hopkinson has denied his culpability and denied the culpability of Russell and his cohorts and it comes as no surprise that when the hammer is coming down on Hap Russell that he offers a polygraph on that."
Hopkinson received the death penalty 10 years ago for Green's murder. He is also serving three consecutive life sentences for the 1977 bombing murders of Evanston attorney Vincent Vehar and two members of his family.
Green was a key witness before a grand jury examining Hopkinson's involvement in the bombing. Special prosecutor Gerry Spence of Jackson told the jury in 1979 closing arguments that Hopkinson, who was in jail on drug-related charges at the time, conspired with Russell to have Green killed.