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  54/07/05 (1st) Doctor's Wife Murdered in Bay Village

  Cleveland Press

  On July 5th, 1954, the Cleveland Press reports on the preliminary investigation of the murder of Marilyn Sheppard and Sam Sheppard's recollections of the event: Sam, asleep downstairs in the early morning of July 5th, heard Marilyn scream. Upon running upstairs to her bedroom, he was knocked unconscious by one or more intruders. After regaining consciousness, he chased an intruder down to the beach, but was again knocked out in the struggle. At 6am, Sam called his friend and neighbor, Mayor J. Spencer Houk, and said "My God, come over Spen; I think they've killed Marilyn." Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber reported "the death was caused by repeated blows on the head and face -- as many as 25." See Police Investigation photos and drawings here.

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  54/07/05 (2nd) Bay Doctor's Wife Murdered

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Plain Dealer morning edition coverage the day after Marilyn's murder reported that no motive had yet been uncovered and Sam had been found "beaten and dazed" in the Sheppard home.

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  54/07/05 (3rd) Bay Doctor's Wife Murdered

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  This later edition of the July 5th Plain Dealer has more information about the crime as well as a diagram of the interior of the Sheppard home, showing where Marilyn was murdered and where Sam slept on the daybed.

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  54/07/05 (4th) Find Tooth Chips Under Body of Bay Doctor's Slain Wife

  Cleveland News

  The home edition of the Cleveland News reports the Coroner's initial discoveries, the police investigation, Sam's account of the crime, and his injuries.

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  54/07/05 Beaten Doctor Treated By Kin

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Article explores Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard's past, as he lay on a hospital cot in the new wing of Bay View Hospital. Sheppard is being treated for injuries sustained the day before (the day that his wife was beaten to death at her home.)

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  54/07/05 Doctor Tells Brothers He Heard Scream, Was Beaten

  Cleveland News

  Sam's brothers, Richard and Stephan, tell the News what Sam said to them about the events surrounding Marilyn's murder.

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  54/07/05 Fourth of July Murder in Bay Village Pictured

  Cleveland Press

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  54/07/05 Scenes and figures in the investigation of the slaying of Mrs. Marilyn R. Sheppard

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Photos from the crime scene and Bay View Hospital.

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  54/07/05 They Shared Duties, Pleasures of Life

  Cleveland News

  Neighbors and friends express shock at Marilyn's murder and incredulity that someone would want to harm people as wonderful as Sam and Marilyn.

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  54/07/06 Doctor Describes Wife's Killer

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  In this article, Deputy Sheriff Carl A. Rossbach reports that Sam describes Marilyn's killer as "middle-aged, six feet three inches tall, had dark bushy hair and wore a white shirt." After Sam offered this description to police, all visitors were barred from his room. Updates on the police investigation are included.

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  54/07/06 Family Tells Why Lawyer is Called

  Cleveland Press

  This story reports the Sheppard family's explanation of why they retained attorneys "the family recognized that a crime had been committed, and felt it would possibly affect Bay View Hospital, as well as the family. We felt we needed professional advice, and contacted Arthur A. Petersilge as a personal friend, as ' well as our attorney.'"

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  54/07/06 Hunt For Blood Clews In Killing Of Doctor's Wife

  Cleveland News

  Several items, including a pair of trousers, wrist watch, ring, gold chain, keys, and a football charm, were examined for blood stains in the Morgue laboratory using and infra red camera. Article also reports on other developments in the case.

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  54/07/06 Move to Quiz Bay Doctor

  Cleveland Press

  Authorities express frustration with Dr. Stephen A. Sheppard's report that his brother Sam, hospitalized at Bay View Hospital, is "unable, emotionally and physically, to stand further police questioning for several days." Coroner Gerber also reports on the hunt for Sam's missing t-shirt and the murder weapon.

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  54/07/06 Seek Blood Clews In Murder Of Bay Village Doctor's Wife

  Cleveland News

  Items, including a pair of trousers, are examined for blood stains in the the morgue laboratory. Article reports on other developments in the case as well. A mentally retarded youth was also arrested and questioned in Sheffield Lake, Ohio.

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  54/07/06 Sheppards Face Tragedy Bravely

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Dr. Richard A. Sheppard, Sam's father, describes himself as "just" holding up. He reports that many people have been calling the hospital to check on Sam and that "everyone was being very kind." The reporter also observed members Sam's family return from visiting him and described the family as appearing weary.

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  54/07/06 Tells Father-in-Law He Hopes to Identify Killer

  Cleveland Press

  Marilyn's father, Thomas S. Reese, talked to Sam in the hospital shortly after Marilyn's murder and that Sam said he thinks he can identify Marilyn's killer if he sees him again.

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  54/07/07 Doctors Sheppard -- United in Work, United in Tragedy

  Cleveland News

  This article describes Sam as having "the same driving ambition, the same will to learn and to advance the science of saving lives" as his father Dr. Richard A. Sheppard. He has been "the one doctor always ready to answer emergency calls at any and all hours of the day and night." His friends, according to the article, report that Sam also has a fun-loving quality not seen in the rest of his family.

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  54/07/07 Dr. Sheppard Weeps Besides Wife's Coffin

  Cleveland News

  Article describes the scene, and the mood, at Marilyn Sheppard's funeral.

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  54/07/07 FBI Enters Bay Slaying; Hunts Cranks

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Reports that the FBI moved into the investigation of the Marilyn Sheppard murder as the result of "crank" telephone calls to the victim's father, Thomas S. Reese.

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  54/07/07 Gerber Demands Speed In Bay Murder Probe

  Cleveland News

  Newspaper photographers were permitted to take pictures of Dr. Sheppard in his hospital bed, but were forbidden to interview him. Deputy Rossbach said he will seek to question Dr. Sheppard, and his son, "Chip", after the funeral of Marilyn Sheppard.

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  54/07/07 Lips Form Word "Marilyn" as Doctor Views Wife's Body

  Cleveland Press

  Describes Sam's behavior and appearance at Marilyn's funeral.

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  54/07/07 Search Murder Home Again

  Cleveland News

  Coroner Samuel R. Gerber orders a new search of the Sheppard home, in an effort to locate the murder weapon and a T-shirt worn by the victims husband. Article also reports on some of the puzzling aspects of the crime.

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  54/07/07 State Prepares Charge Against Bay Murderer

  Cleveland Press

  Two days after the murder, Sam will leave Bay View Hospital to attend Marilyn's funeral. Coroner Gerber wants Sam to return to the Sheppard home to re-enact his recollections of the crime. Police are using magnetic devices to try to find the murder weapon in Lake Erie.

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  54/07/07 Trousers Stain Seen as Blood

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Article describes how Coroner Gerber met in Bay Village City Hall with Sam's father and brother but did not receive permission to talk to Sam. Updates on police investigation are given: Sam's t-shirt is still missing, blood smears are found on Sam's watch, Demerol (synthetic morphine) is missing from Sam's doctor bag.

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  54/07/07 Wants City Paid For Police Aid

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  After the County Sheriff's office entered into the murder probe, Cleveland Police Chief, Frank W. Story makes a proposal that suburban communities should be made to pay for aid given by scientific experts in the Cleveland Police Department. Story is quoted as saying, "Our men have rendered as much service as we could to Bay Village."

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  54/07/08 Bay Doctor Talks To Reporter

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Soon after Sam Sheppard returns from his wife's funeral, a reporter is admitted into his darkened hospital room. Sheppard pledges his cooperation in the investigation. Article also reports on the latest developments in the case.

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  54/07/08 Bay Home Looted

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Article reports about a Bay Village home located about mile west of the Sheppard home that was broken into, and several items were taken. Police took fingerprints, and were trying to determine if there might be any connections linking this with the Sheppard murder.

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  54/07/08 Doctor in Tears After Funeral for Slain Wife

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Author describes the emotional scene, in some detail, at Marilyn Sheppard's funeral.

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  54/07/08 Doctor Quizzed on Murder, "I Have Told All," Doctor Declares

  Cleveland Press

  Includes the text from Sam's statement in which he issued a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of his wife's killer. He states that he was severely injured on the night of Marilyn's murder and is suffering from "shock and pain." He also refutes the idea that he is unwilling to talk to police.

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  54/07/08 Dr. Sheppard's Statement

  Cleveland News

  Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard signs a written statement in which he, among other things, states that he has "never refused to talk to any authorities." In this same letter he authorizes his attorneys to "post a reward of $10,000.00 for the arrest and conviction of the murderers" of his wife.

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  54/07/08 Husband Posts Reward: $10,000 Set for Killer's Conviction

  Cleveland Press

  According to this article, just before submitting to the police questioning, Sam dramatically issued a formal statement declaring "I have lived an honorable life. " He also offered a $10,000 reward for "the arrest and conviction of the murderer of my wife." Covering some of the same territory as "Start Quiz of Doctor in Murder of Bay Wife, this article from the Final Edition of the Cleveland Press says that Dr. Sheppard's interrogators - Deputy Sheriffs Carl Rossbach and Dave Yettre and Bay Village Patrolman Fred Drenkhan - won admittance to the sick room only after "a series of violent verbal clashes" between Coroner Gerber and Sam's attorney William Corrigan.

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  54/07/08 Sheppard Tells Story Of Wife's Murder; Offers $10,000 Reward

  Cleveland News

  On the fifth day since the murder of Marilyn Sheppard, Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard is questioned in his hospital bed at Bay View Hospital by Carl Rossbach, David Yettra, and Samuel R. Gerber. His attorney, William J. Corrigan, agreed to leave the room after Dr. Sheppard requested to have a friend, Patrolman Fred Drenkham, be present.

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  54/07/08 Start Quiz of Doctor in Murder of Bay Wife

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports that, four days after the murder, law enforcement officials started questioning Sam. This questioning came after a "tense bedside debate" at Bay View Hospital between William Corrigan, the Cleveland criminal defense attorney retained by Dr. Sheppard's family, and Coroner Samuel R. Gerber. Updates on the police investigation are also given including: divers searching for Sam's missing t-shirt and the murder weapon and Cleveland Homicide Bureau Detectives being assigned to the case.

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  54/07/08 (Voices Faith In Doctor Brother)

  Cleveland News

  Dr. Stephen Sheppard, expressed confidence today that his brother, Dr, Sam Sheppard, is innocent. He said this because the two of them grew up together and have always been close. He also added, "if my brother did it he would have told me."

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  54/07/09 Doctor Balks at Lie Test; Retells Story

  Cleveland Press

  In Sheppard v. Maxwell, the Court noted that newspaper headlines repeatedly stressed Sam's supposed lack of cooperation with police and other officials and his refusal to take a lie detector test. This story reports that when County Detective Carl Rossbach asked Sam if he would submit to a lie detector test, Sam replied "I understand that instrument and in my emotional state and as I sick as I am, it would show some disturbance ...might later on." The article also reports that Rossbach was "not satisfied" with the answers Sam gave to many of his questions.

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  54/07/09 Doctor Re-Enacts Tragedy

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports that a wheel-chair bound Sam returned today to his house where Coroner Samuel R. Gerber asked him to re-enact all the events of July 4th. The following conversation between Attorney Corrigan and Sam is reported: "You're being accused of murdering your wife,'' Corrigan told Sam bluntly. ''These men are oat here to get a confession." Dr. Sheppard burst into tears. "I didn't do anything to Marilyn," he blurted.

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  54/07/09 Doctor to Help Hunt Weapon

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Article describes the police investigation as it stands five days after the murder of Marilyn Sheppard. Sam Sheppard is released from the hospital and plans to return home to re-enact the events of the murder. Article discuss Sam's missing t-shirt as well as the mystery of why Ko-Ko, the family dog, didn't bark at an intruder the night of the murder.

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  54/07/09 Dr. Sheppard's Statement Issued to Answer Gossip

  Cleveland Press

  Samuel H. Sheppard releases a written public statement to reporters in which he refutes the gossip being widely circulated that he has refused to talk about his wife's murder. His statement includes a $10,000.00 reward offer for the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered his wife.

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  54/07/09 Letters to Slain Wife Studied for Death Clew

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports that Marilyn's personal letters were read by the authorities in a hunt for leads that might help solve the murder. Letters to Marilyn from a female relative seem to hint at Sam's infidelities. (NOTE: the spelling of clue as "clew" is now archaic but appears often in Cleveland 1950s newspapers.)

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  54/07/10 Doctor Calls for Pastor, Athlete Chum at School

  Cleveland News

  Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard asks his brother, Dr. Stephen Sheppard, to contact a good friend of his named Alan J. Davis, so that he could see him. Davis did go visit Dr. Sam at the home of Dr. Richard A Sheppard in Bay Village. The author of this article also interviews Dr. Sam's former football coach at Cleveland Heights High School, to gain more of an insight into his past.

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  54/07/10 Doctor Undergoes New Quiz

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports on Sam's trip to the Sheriff's office to make a voluntary statement about Marilyn's murder. Deputy Sheriff Carl Rossbach reportedly renewed his demand that Sam submit to a lie defector test: "He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to," Rossbach said, "but I intend to keep on asking until he agrees." Updates on the police investigation included: divers still unable to locate Sam's missing t-shirt or a murder weapon; authorities searched a boat Sam and Major Houk jointly own, Assistant Prosecutor Mahon asked Dr. Lester T. Hoversten, an osteopathic college classmate of Sam's who was a house guest at the Sheppard home for a week prior to the slaying, not to leave the vicinity.

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  54/07/10 Find Few Real Clews In Bay Village Murder

  Cleveland News

  Cleveland News Editorial writer, Paul Myhre, gives a small synopsis of the case up until this point. Dr. Sam's t-shirt and the murder weapon are still missing. The author also mentions that during one of the many searches of Dr. Sam Sheppards home, a paperback novel was found, ironically entitled, "My Dead Wife."

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  54/07/10 Green Years Were Good for Marilyn, Sam

  Cleveland Press

  This article describes Marilyn and Sam as popular and athletic high school students and includes pictures from the Cleveland Heights High School yearbook.

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  54/07/10 Guest Again Questioned in Probe in Bay

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Lester Hoversten, Sam's college friend, was questioned about the Sheppard's marriage by authorities. Hoversten stayed at the Sheppard's home the week before Marilyn was murdered but was apparently with friends in Kent, Ohio on the night she was killed.

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  54/07/10 [Photograph: Husband at Scene of Wife's Death]]

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  A photograph showing a clear picture of the backyard stairs, down which Sam Sheppard said he chased an intruder to the beach. Sheppard is also seen in the picture walking freely.

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  54/07/10 Sheppard Goes to County Jail for New Questioning

  Cleveland News

  County detective Carl Rossbach asks Sam Sheppard to come to jail for further interrogation by him and Asst. County Prosecutor Thomas Parrino. At County jail Dr. Sheppard was separated from his attorney and brother and taken to a small questioning room. Article also describes other possible suspects in the case that were considered.

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  54/07/11 Doctor Calls Second Lie Test Refusal Final

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Dr. Samuel Sheppard again refuses to take a lie detector test. Article also tells of police reports regarding two brothers who saw a man lurking in the shadows near the Sheppard home around 2-2:30 a.m. on the murder morning.

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  54/07/11 Mystery Of Trio On Beach Solved

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  One of the three youths that police were seeking to speak to comes forward. The youths were seen talking to a fisherman on a pier near the Sheppard home at around 12:30 a.m., on the same night as the murder. The three were apparently looking for friends who they thought were having a swimming party there, but later found out the party was in Hinckley, Ohio.

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  54/07/12 Doctor in 'Fair Spirits,' Visiting Minister Finds

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Sam Sheppard's childhood friend, Reverend Alan J. Davis, visits him at his father's home. The Reverend relates that his friend appeared to be in good mental and physical condition.

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  54/07/12 Dr. Sheppard Returns to Bay View Hospital to Treat Patients

  Cleveland Press

  Sam returned to work at Bay View Hospital but admitted he was "still a little fuzzy about things." He wore dark glasses during his rounds because the light hurt his eyes. During the interview, Sam talked often about Marilyn and said she was very supportive of his career and interested in hearing stories about his patients.

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  54/07/12 Hunt 'Maniac' in Sheppard Killing

  Cleveland News

  This article reports that Coroner Gerber and County Detective Carl Rossbach have "virtually ruled out a casual burglar or prowler as the murderer because of the unusual violence of the crime."

  The findings of an expert witness from the 2000 civil trial back up Gerber and Rossbach's statement that a "casual burglar" was not responsible. In the 2000 Civil Trial in which the Sheppard Estate sued the State of Ohio for wrongful imprisonment, the State contracted with retired FBI Special Agent Gregg McCrary to conduct a criminal investigative analysis of the murder. McCrary concluded that the crime was best classified as a "staged domestic homicide" and gave one of the reasons as "Excessive trauma beyond that necessary to cause death (Overkill). 35 injuries were noted on the autopsy report . . . the number and severity of these injuries can reasonably considered to be overkill." You can read McCrary's complete analysis here.

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  54/07/12 Lie Test Aids Police - Out of Court

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  David L. Cowles, superintendent of the bureau of scientific identification for the Cleveland Police Department, discusses how a polygraph works and why the taking of the test is always voluntary.

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  54/07/12 Saw Bay Home Lighted at 2:30, Before Murder

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports that three Bay Village residents saw lights on in the Sheppard home between 2 and 2:30am on the morning of the murder. Coroner Gerber believes this is significant because "it is very unlikely that a burglar would enter a house where the lights were on." Gerber also expressed puzzlement that fingerprint experts could not find "even the ordinary prints that appear in any ordinary home." It was also reported that Elnora Helms, a housekeeper who came to the Sheppard home one day a week for the past two and a half years, said that Sam and Marilyn acted "like sweethearts."

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  54/07/12 Three Keys to Murder: Weapon, Motive and Shirt Hunted

  Cleveland Press

  Coroner Samuel Gerber answers questions about the case.

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  54/07/12 Trail Of Blood Found In New Check At Home

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Investigators find blood stains on the back porch and on the stairs leading up to the bedroom. A medical technologist takes samples of those, and of a stain around the night latch of the back door. Police theorized that the blood found may have dripped from the weapon used by the slayer.

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  54/07/13 Bay Slaying 'Elementary' to Armchair Sleuths Here

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  A report of the many Cleveland area citizens who have given the police their own personal theories and solutions to the July 4th slaying.

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  54/07/13 Doctor Offers to Bare List of Grudge Patients

  Cleveland Press

  This article reports that Sam had offered to provide authorities with a list of patients who might bare a grudge against him. Some Bay Village residents report seeing lights on in the Sheppard home between 2-2:30am while others saw no lights on at 3am. Ohio Bell reportedly could not determine whether any outgoing calls were made from the Sheppard home on the morning of the murder.

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  54/07/13 If Sheppards' Dog Could Talk Bay Mystery Might Be Solved

  Cleveland News

  Reportedly, the Sheppard family dog used to bark loud and long at the sight or sound of strangers. However, he was strangely silent the morning of the murder, and now neither barks nor growls at reporters calling at the home. Ko-ko, part Irish Setter and Doberman Pinscher, apparently limped all the next day from an unexplained injury to his hip.

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  54/07/13 'Mystery Woman' Says Sheppard Visited Her On Los Angeles Trip

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Miss Susan Hayes is identified as the "mystery woman". She says Samuel H. Sheppard gave her a wrist watch to replace the one she lost while at the wedding of Sheppard's friend in California. Also, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Knitter give a description to the police of the man they saw at approximately 3:30-4 a.m. walking near the Sheppard home on the night of the murder.

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  54/07/13 Osteopathy Gains More Recognition

  Cleveland Press

  Describes the differences and similarities in the training for and practice of medicine and osteopathy.

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  54/07/13 Pushes For Sheppard Lie Test

  Cleveland News

  Coroner Samuel R. Gerber again urges Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard to submit to a lie detector test. Sheppard had previously declined to submit to the test twice on the grounds that his "emotional state" would give inaccurate results.

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  54/07/13 She Calls Watch From Doctor "Generous Gesture"

  Cleveland Press

  Miss Susan Hayes explains to a Press reporter the events that led up to her receiving a watch from Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard.

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  54/07/14 Backs Extended Police Authority

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Assistant County Prosecutor, John J. Mahon, backs a measure that would allow Cleveland police to have authority in suburban crime cases. The plan is up for consideration by the city board of control. Mahon feels that Cleveland police should be "relied on in serious felony cases", noting that it is a matter of routine for them to question all suspects, or bring them into custody, within a few hours of the crime.

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  54/07/14 Bloodstained T-Shirt Tested For Clue in Lakeside Killing

  Associated Press

  A ripped, stained, and wet t-shirt was found snagged to a piece of wire just west of the Sheppard home. Police Chief John Eaton sent the shirt to the morgue to be tested for blood stains.

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  54/07/14 'Dolly' Was A Neighbor, Doctor Says

  Cleveland News

  Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, in an interview today at his father's home, said he does not know the "Dottie" investigators are trying to find but he did know a "Dolly" when he was studying osteopathy in Los Angeles, California.

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  54/07/14 Find Stained T-Shirt In Lake Near Home Of Dr. Sheppard

  Cleveland News

  Today, a t-shirt was found in the lake near the Sheppard home. Dr. Sam Sheppard was allegedly wearing a T-shirt before the dawn of July, 4, 1954, when his wife was beaten to death in the bedroom of their home. Sheppard apparently said that he was knocked out by his wife's killer and came to in the waterfront of his Bay Village lakefront home. The article also mentions an "enigmatic notation" that was found in Sheppard's wallet, which was located in his trousers.

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  54/07/14 Find T-Shirt on Beach

  Cleveland Press

  A stained t-shirt was found in Lake Erie on July 14, 1954, near the Sheppard home. When Police arrived at the Sheppard home on the morning of the murder, Sam was not wearing a t-shirt.

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  54/07/14 Saw Doctor Twice, Technician Says In Los Angeles Quiz

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Miss Susan Hayes answers questions posed by District Attorney, S. Ernest Roll, of Los Angeles, California. Article also reports on several clues that were left at or near the crime scene.

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  54/07/14 Sketch: Grounds of the Bay Village Home of Dr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Sheppard

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  A sketch depicting the grounds of the Bay Village home showing the approximate location of the "steps to beach house" that Dr. Sam Sheppard told investigators were the ones that he chased a "bushy haired" man down, and eventually fought with on the beach.

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  54/07/14 Study Relationship of Doctor, L.A. Girl

  Cleveland Press

  The article reports that Los Angeles law enforcement called in Susan Hayes for questioning. Susan described the circumstances regarding the watch Sam gave her as well as how they would occasionally ride to work together when she worked at Bay View Hospital. Susan also reported that she was once engaged to Dr. Lester Hoversten, a former classmate of Sam's who was staying at the Sheppard home the day before the murder.

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  54/07/15 Bay Holds Off Murder Warrant

  Cleveland News

  Bay Village law director, Richard S. Weygandt, said he does not yet have sufficient evidence to justify a warrant and arrest against Sam Sheppard. James E. McArthur said that a No. 9 iron was missing from Marilyn Sheppard's golf bag, that was known to be in her bag 2 days prior.

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  54/07/15 Dr. Sheppard Relaxes in the Sun

  Cleveland Press

  Dr. Sheppard was interviewed while "taking a sun bath on his father's rear porch." He enthusiastically described a spinal operation he just performed on a patient. The article also mentioned how Sam began carrying a gun "for protection" after the July 4th murder.

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  54/07/15 Former Owner Shows Police Bay Home's Hidden Crannies

  Cleveland News

  Sheriff deputies ask the previous owner of Dr. Sam Sheppard's house, Dr. Charles F. Briggs, to show them around the property and point out any possible hidden crannies where someone could hide a murder weapon. Dr. Briggs would possibly have knowledge of such things since he had rebuilt the home a few years ago.

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  54/07/15 Letters To The Editor

  Cleveland Press

  A letter titled "Bay View a Public Hospital", in which H.B. Osborn, Jr., corrects the Cleveland Press and its previous articles that gave the impression Bay View is a private hospital owned and operated by the Sheppard family. Osborn, claiming to be vice-president of the board of trustees, asserts that Bay View Hospital is actually a non-profit institution incorporated under the State of Ohio.

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  54/07/15 Painesville Woman's Story Opens New Sheppard Quiz

  Cleveland News

  Mrs. Jessie Dill, of Painesville, Ohio, said she met a woman she believes was Marilyn Sheppard at Fairport Harbor, Monday, June 14th. The woman she met confided in her with personal information about her wanting a divorce, then being talked out of it by her husband's relatives.

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  54/07/15 Probes Tale Of Plot In Sheppard Murder

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Police question a man from Baltimore Maryland named George W. Ennis, after he phoned the Cleveland Plain Dealer using a fictitious name, and talked of a murder plot regarding Marilyn Sheppard. Ennis was in the Cleveland, Ohio area on the night of the murder.

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  54/07/15 Sheppards' Attorney Rules Out Lie Tests for Family

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  The attorney for the Sheppard family, Arthur E. Petersilge, has advised all three brothers, Dr. Stephen A. Sheppard, Dr. Richard N. Sheppard, and Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, to not take a lie detector test.

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  54/07/16 Probers in Sheppard Case Asked to Pool Evidence, Form Team

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Coroner Samuel Gerber called on all authorities involved in the Marilyn Sheppard murder investigation to pool their evidence and form a united team. Sam's attorney William J. Corrigan has told the Sheppard family to "talk only to the sheriff or the Bay police, the proper authorities." Bay Village Police interviewed Jessie Dill who said a woman resembling Marilyn Sheppard had confided in her that she had attempted to obtain a divorce from her husband but was talked out of it by her husband's family. Read Jessie Dill's statement here.

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  54/07/17 Beaufait Believes 'Breaks' Give Killer Chance at Perfect Crime

  Cleveland News

  Cleveland News reporter, Howard Beaufait, gives his theories about the crime and the perpetrator. He also points out some of the evidence, and time aspects, of the crime that don't seem to make sense.

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  54/07/17 'Crime Doctor' Charts Murder Motive Hunt

  Cleveland News

  County officials invite Dr. Alan R. Moritz to enter the investigation after he leads a discussion with them of possible murder motives. Coroner Samuel R. Gerber adds, "He will be available to assist anyone who seeks his help."

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  54/07/18 Army Mine Detector Used In New Search For Murder Weapon

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  To aid in the search for the murder weapon, an Army mine detector was used, to find any iron or steel that may have been buried around the home. Also, Dr. Adelson describes how Marilyn Sheppard died, and Dr. Gerber gives his theory as to the type of murder weapon he thinks was used.

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  54/07/20 Catch Bay Killer, Pastor Demands

  Cleveland News

  In a weekly letter written to around 500 churchgoers, pastor Franklin Reinhold called for "a speedy and unmistaken apprehension of the murderer of Mrs. Sheppard."

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  54/07/20 Mayor Puts 2 Detectives on Slaying

  Cleveland Press

  The Mayor of Cleveland, Anthony J. Celebrezze, orders Safety Director, John McCormick, and Police Chief Frank W. Story to keep two homicide detectives assigned full-time to assist Prosecutor Frank T. Cullitan in the Sheppard case. Celebrezze notes, among other things, that ..."There seems to be lack of any central authority which we think the inquiry needs."

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  54/07/20 Parley With Dr. Sheppard

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Dr. Alan R. Moritz, a crime expert, meets secretly with Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard. Both refused to give any details of what was said, or the location of the meeting. Article also mentions a letter that was received by Rev. Alan J. Davis, a boyhood friend of Sam Sheppard. Police also looked into the validity of a conversation that Mrs. Jessie Dill said she had with a person resembling Mrs. Sheppard a few weeks ago on the beach at Fairport Harbor.

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  54/07/20 Sheppard Set For New Quiz

  Cleveland Press

  Unbeknownst to his lawyer, Arthur S. Petersilge, Samuel H. Sheppard notified Dr. Alan R. Moritz, that he would meet with him a second time to be interviewed regarding the case. It was being done in an attempt to answer questions raised by Dr. Moritz in their first meeting.

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  54/07/21 Dr. Sheppard Bars Truth Test, City Takes Over Bay Probe, Story Sure He Knows Slayer

  Cleveland Press

  After meeting with Safety Director John McCormick, Police Chief Frank Story and Detective Chief James McArthur, Cleveland Mayor Anthony J. Celebrezze announced the City of Cleveland would take over the Marilyn Sheppard murder investigation. Chief Story, who would head up the investigation, said he "is convinced he knows the identity of the murderer." Captain David Kerr, head of Cleveland's homicide squad, was ordered to cut short his vacation and return home to work on the investigation. The article also reports that Sam refuses to take a lie detector test as well as to work with Dr. Alan R. Moritz, Head of Pathology at Western Reserve University Medical School, who offered to assist both law enforcement and the Sheppard Family.

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  54/07/21 Dr. Sheppard Refuses to Take Truth Serum in Murder Probe

  Cleveland News

  According to the article, Sam Sheppard gave three reasons for refusing:

  "HE HAD ALREADY been subjected to interrogation after the crime and while he was under barbiturate sedation, and he regarded that as equivalent to truth serum questioning.

  HE CANNOT FACE further interrogation because he is still emotionally upset and his state of fatigue makes an ordeal of this kind impossible.

  HE IS RELUCTANT to put himself in a position where he might involuntarily incriminate innocent people."

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  54/07/21 Mayor Offers Bay Probe Aid

  Cleveland News

  This article reports that Cleveland Mayor Anthony J. Celebrezze assured Bay Village it can have access to "all the facilities of Cleveland's' crack homicide bureau and crime detection equipment in the search for the killer of Marilyn Sheppard." Celebrezze said Cleveland would not be taking over the investigation, he was merely offering help. A Bay Village Councilman accused Coroner Samuel Gerber of "shoving Cleveland detectives out of the investigation for political reasons." Attempts were being made to recall the Head of Cleveland's Homicide Bureau, David E. Kerr, from vacation to help with the investigation.

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  54/07/21 Time to Bring Bay Slaying into Open

  Cleveland News

  This article appears to be an editorial from the Cleveland News. It urges the examination of all witnesses under oath and all law enforcement groups to "get together as one to find, or attempt to find the solution to this baffling crime. The Coroner's Inquest began the next day.

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  54/07/22 Bay Friends Recall Marilyn As Woman Liked by All

  Cleveland News

  A reporter interviews friends of Marilyn Sheppard about her relationship with her husband. She was known as being friendly and popular, and also a good mother to her son, Samuel Reese "Chip" Sheppard.

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  54/07/22 Highlights of Testimony at Sheppard Murder Inquest

  Cleveland Press

  Cleveland Press publishes an extensive account of the actual testimony given at an inquest held today at Normandy School in Bay Village. Numerous witnesses appeared before the coroner, Samuel R. Gerber. who performed the direct examination. A picture of the crowd in attendance and several other photographs are published.

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  54/07/22 Quizzed About His Purchases Of Narcotics

  Cleveland News

  Article publishes the questions asked, and answers given, during Coroner, Samuel R. Gerber's inquest of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard. The article reports, "under Ohio law the coroner has authority to hold inquests into homicides...". Dr Sheppard was asked questions regarding his purchase and disposition of narcotics. Many other witnesses were questioned at the inquest, including Mrs. Esther Houk, wife of Mayor J. Spencer Houk.

  (Article makes reference to other "stories and pictures of Sheppard inquest on pages 4,5,8 & 10" of this same newspaper dated 7/22/1954)

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  54/07/23 Details in Murder of Mrs. Sheppard Are Explored by Coroner at Inquest

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Many details are given by several witnesses, as police, and friends of the victim, are questioned by the coroner, Samuel R. Gerber, at the inquest held in Bay Village.

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  54/07/23 Doctor And Girl Sighted At Party

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  While on a trip to California in March 1954, Sam & Marilyn Sheppard spent 10 days apart. During that time, Dr. Sheppard was staying at the home of Dr. Arthur Miller, who apparently had a card party at which Miss Susan Hayes was also present. That is, according to another osteopath, Dr. Dorothy Marsh, who said she saw the two there.

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  54/07/23 Dr. Sheppard Tells Own Story

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  A detailed summary Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard's inquest, which was given by the coroner, Dr. Samuel R. Gerber. Eight other persons also gave testimony.

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  54/07/23 (Photo Page)

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Photographs of the Inquest, the spectators, key witnesses, and other principals in the case.

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  54/07/23 Sheppard Testimony At Inquest

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  The text of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard's testimony at the inquest given by coroner Samuel R. Gerber, is published here.

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  54/07/23 Youthful Voices Penetrate Grim Stillness at Inquest

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Article describes the scene of the inquest held at the Normandy School auditorium. The spectators, which numbered over 100, fell silent as Dr. Sam testified. Only the sound of the children outside the schoolhouse could be heard above the testimony.

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  54/07/24 Family Backs Sam's Account of Murder Morning

  Cleveland Press

  Article contains the transcript of key questions asked of Sam's older brothers and sisters-in-law by the Coroner, Samuel R. Gerber at the testimony held July 23,1954. Author paraphrases some of the testimony and reports on the general sequence of questioning that day.

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  54/07/26 Gerber Delays Quiz Of Sheppard's Son

  Cleveland Plain Dealer

  Detective James E. McArthur receives news from a Cleveland team of probers in California that Susan Hayes has switched her story. Also, coroner Samuel R. Gerber decides not to have Samuel Reese (Chip) Sheppard testify, but instead he will "recall" some of the witnesses he has previously questioned under oath.