He was a member of the United States Air Force who was discharged in 1955 after committing a robbery in Colorado while absent without leave (AWOL).

[3] In 1956, he was sentenced to death after the murder of two grocery store clerks during an armed robbery in Salt Lake City, Utah.

[4][5] Though an attempt was made to appeal his conviction by questioning his sanity, prison officials noted that Kirkham's defiant attitude remained remorseless until shortly before his execution, at which point he started crying and is reported to have wet himself.

Kirkham left his family's church life and school in the 11th grade and joined the United States Air Force.

[2][3] On the night of August 12, 1956,[7] Kirkham entered the Nibley Park Market grocery store in Salt Lake City to rob it.

[1] When later asked about his motive for killing Frame and Webster, he said, "Man, I don't know..."[3] The first-degree murder trial commenced on December 12, 1956, with Judge Martin M. Larson presiding over the case.

On December 14, Kirkham was found guilty of murdering Frame, without a recommendation for mercy, and faced a mandatory death sentence.

On March 25, 1958, the court upheld Kirkham's conviction and denied his request for a rehearing, sending his case back for sentencing.

"[10] I heard the shooters get to keep the guns, and they're not getting anything free from me.While on death row at Utah State Prison, Kirkham followed newspaper articles and legal briefs of his case and read psychiatric texts and medical journals.

The love that I was denied because my parents spent so much time doing church work and they still do, and forcing me to stay home and lead the life they wanted me to live.

My life is a real mess now and I will be glad when it is all over with.On June 4, 1958, Kirkham appeared before the state pardons board for a final hearing for clemency.

"[14] In the final minutes of the hearing, he broke out into an appeal that he would prefer involuntary commitment in a mental institution over capital punishment.

"[9] In the auditorium of Utah State Prison, Kirkham ate his pizza and played classical music on a piano in the company of the chaplains, news reporters and deputy sheriffs.

[6] Prison physician W. C. Knott climbed on a stepladder to examine Kirkham's hanging body, which was concealed from view by burlap and canvas hung under the 11-foot-high platform.

[8][9] I've asked God to forgive me.In February 1980, the Utah State Legislature replaced the option of hanging with lethal injection.