Rather than being tried and convicted of murder (what he deserved) the prosecutors (LDS) accepted a plea bargain for man slaughter. Thus no trial, no display of the documents as exhibit A. etc.
Hofman was an accomplished forger. He had the Smithsonian fooled with his forgery of "Oath of a Free Man." They were ready to pay him big bucks. He made the documents in his basement.
One of Hofman's bogus dovcuments purchased by the LDS was the supposed will of Joseph Smith, Jr. designating his son JS III rather than Bringem Young as his successor!
A compelling, tragic and embarassing story depending on your point of view.
He was shrewd. He purchased an old paper and Bibles so the paper would be the right vintage. His ink ultimately was his Waterloo. It fooled many but the document experts finally nailed him.