Church History Matters 071 “Carthage CSI” with Sam Weston
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Jul 9, 2024 Sam Weston, a Church History Museum docent, discusses the forensic investigation of the Carthage Jail martyrdom. Topics include inaccuracies in historical research, analysis of militia weapons, investigation into John Taylor's watch damage, mysteries of Hiram's clothes and death masks, historical accounts of bullets, and analyzing eyewitness testimonies.
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Caliber Correction
- Casey Griffiths incorrectly stated Joseph Smith's gun fired a .22 caliber bullet.
- Sam Weston corrected him, stating it was a .32 caliber.
Research Origins
- Sam Weston's research on the martyrdom began in 2009, sparked by a BYU Studies article.
- He found discrepancies in the article, leading him to re-examine the event.
Hiram's Position
- The depiction of Hiram Smith's face against the door during the shooting contradicts Willard Richards' account.
- Forensic analysis shows no evidence of wood splinters or burns on Hiram's death mask, supporting Richards' version.