[1][2] Mark Hopkinson returned to his native home in the Bridger Valley area of southwest Wyoming some time in 1975.

Late in 1975, Hopkinson became embroiled in two legal disputes in which Vincent Vehar, an attorney, assumed something of an adversarial role.

In 1974, Joe Hopkinson, Mark's father, began doing ground work for a trailer court, in the process covering a ditch carrying water to the Roitzes.

Mark Hopkinson not only assumed control over the development of the trailer court, but also sought to have that judgment reversed on appeal.

When the Roitzes refused, Mark Hopkinson warned them that he could construct the trailer court in such a manner as to inconvenience them greatly.

Before any official action could be taken, the Board was presented with a petition, signed by 95 percent of the district's membership, seeking to raise the fee.

The complaint filed not only sought to force Mark to pay the money due under the contract but also requested $50,000 in exemplary damages because of the threats made against the board members.

Green in turn introduced Mark to his friends, Mike Hickey, an admitted alcoholic, and Jamey Hysell.

[3] In June 1976, Jamey Hysell was arrested for possession of marijuana as a result of a statement made to the authorities by Kellie Wyckhuyse, a fifteen-year-old girl who had spent a night with him at his home.

[3] In accordance with their plan, Hickey picked Kellie up on June 27, 1976, and took her to an isolated spot in the country where he was to meet Hysell.

Hopkinson then offered Taylor photographs of Vincent Vehar, the intended victim, and explained that he was a lawyer who lived in Evanston.

Mark Hopkinson then turned to Jeff Green and Mike Hickey for ideas as to how to get rid of Vincent Vehar.

It was also during this time period that Mark Hopkinson first learned that Mike Hickey had killed Kelly Wyckhuyse the previous summer.

On April 4, 1977, Jeff Green was caught with a bomb in his possession when he was stopped in Utah for speeding while driving Mark Hopkinson's car.

It was during the next four months that Hopkinson asked Mike Hickey about various ideas to either kill William Roitz or Vincent Vehar.

Hopkinson promised Hickey $2,000 plus expenses and help in covering up the Wyckhuyse murder, if he would take care of one of these two men.

[3] It was before and during Jamey Hysell's trial for the murder of Kellie Wyckhuyse in July 1978 that Jeff Green broke down and decided to tell the truth.

[3] In March 1979, Hopkinson and Hickey were tried in the United States District Court in Cheyenne, Wyoming on federal charges arising out of Green's April 1977 attempt to place a bomb in Mariscal's car.

As a result of the trial, Hopkinson, but not Hickey, was convicted, sentenced and confined to the federal minimum security facility in Lompoc, California.

According to Russell, during the resulting visit they conspired to suborn perjured testimony in connection with the Mariscal conviction; however, the state argued that in fact what was taking place was the planning of the murder of Jeff Green.

[3] Hopkinson also telephoned Jennifer Butters numerous times and begged her to send a photo of Jeff Green to Hap Russell.

On May 20, Jeff Green's mutilated body was found, two days before the scheduled opening of the grand jury's investigation into the Vehar bombing.

[3] Mike Hickey, when called to testify before the grand jury convened in Uinta County in the latter part of May, 1979, broke down and confessed not only to the Wyckhuyse killing but also to the Vehar bombing.

In a plea bargain arrangement Hickey agreed to turn state's evidence against Mark Hopkinson in the Vehar case in return for a 21 to 21 year-sentence for second degree murder of Kelly Wyckhuyse.

[5] Mark Hopkinson was then indicted for, among other crimes, the murders of the Vehars and Jeff Green, and brought to trial on September 3, 1979.

After the jury returned their finding of guilt on all six charges, they were asked to deliberate as to whether the death penalty should be imposed for the four murder convictions.

Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan refused to commute or pardon Hopkinson, despite petitions to do so by death penalty opponents, including Amnesty International.