This collection features newspaper articles about the murder of Marilyn Sheppard and the subsequent trial of Dr. Sam Sheppard. The articles appearing here are taken from scrapbooks kept by Coroner Samuel Gerber.
The media coverage of Sam Sheppard’s trial was questioned for bias and whether or not the media impacted Sam’s right to receive a fair trial. Ultimately, Sam was awarded a retrial via the Sheppard v. Maxwell decision in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that Sam had not received a fair trial in 1954 for a number of reasons including the State of Ohio’s failure of “duty to protect Sheppard from the inherently prejudicial publicity which saturated the community.”
The newspaper articles in this collection come from the Cleveland Press, the Cleveland News, and The Plain Dealer. The Cleveland Press went out of business in 1982 but was a major player in local news around the time Marilyn was murdered. The Cleveland News was purchased by the Cleveland Press in 1960. Cleveland State University has a copyright agreement with The Plain Dealer to post articles related to the Sheppard case.
(Cleveland State University was donated the archives of the Cleveland Press in 1984. Details about the donation and how to access articles and photos from the Cleveland Press can be found here.)
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54/08/13 Judge Thomas Esteemed for Fine Record, Tireless Devotion to Job
Cleveland News
An article highlighting the career of Common Pleas Judge William K. Thomas (shown in the photo on the left). Thomas will conduct the preliminary hearing of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard. Judge Frank J. Merrick (shown in the photo on the right) transferred the duty of the hearing from Magistrate Barber to Judge Thomas.
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54/08/13 Letters to the Editor
Cleveland Press
5 letters to the editor of the Cleveland Press by various authors entitled, "There is a Sheppard Case"; "...So Right"; "...How about Wife's Family"; "...Not Objective"; and "...Crime Committed". The letters are in response to a previously published letter by Mary Ditko titled, "Awful injustice Charged", dated August 10, 1954.
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54/08/13 Merrick Picks Judge Thomas To Preside
Cleveland News
In a victory for Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, Judge Merrick holds that Gershom M.M. Barber was "prejudiced and not qualified" to arraign Dr. Sam on a first degree murder charge. In turn, Merrick assigns Common Pleas Judge William K. Thomas to preside over the hearing.
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54/08/13 Merrick to Decide Today on 'Prejudice' Charge in Bay
Cleveland Plain Dealer
A decision is expected today by Common Pleas Judge, Frank J. Merrick, on whether the preliminary hearing on charges of first -degree murder will be held in Bay Village or in another court.
Article also publishes some of the questions asked, and answers given, between Bay Village Solicitor, Richard S. Weygandt and Gershom M.M. Barber from yesterday's "argument on a writ of prejudice" held in Judge Merrick's courtroom.
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54/08/13 'Sandy' Says Sam Mastered Anger
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mrs. Sandra Nussell Kelly, a friend of both Sam and Marilyn Sheppard, characterizes Dr. Sam as being "very quiet".
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54/08/13 Sheppard Has Chance to Speak
Cleveland Press
The upcoming preliminary hearing provides by law that, at its conclusion, the Judge must inform the defendant (Sheppard) that he is privileged to speak out or to remain silent.
The sole purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine if there is "probable cause" to hold the defendant for Grand Jury action.
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54/08/13 Sheppard Wins Court Plea; Police Question Houk Again
Cleveland News
Mayor J. Spencer Houk is questioned further regarding his knowledge of the Sheppard family affairs.
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54/08/14 Bay Poll Opposes Giving To Murder Costs Fund
Cleveland News
Article reports about a proposal made by Bay Village councilman, Lester Shaffer, which would ask for voluntary contributions from the citizens of Bay Village to reimburse the city contingency fund for its expenses incurred in the Marilyn Sheppard case. Responses to a poll given to citizens regarding that proposition are published here.
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54/08/14 Check More Doctor 'Dates'
Cleveland News
Dr. Lester Hoversten, a house guest of the Sheppards for several days prior to the murder, supplies police with the names of nine women with whom "Dr. Sam" dated while married to Marilyn.
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54/08/14 Irate Houk Confronts Steve; Calls Him Liar
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dr. Steve Sheppard offers up his own tips to the police regarding mayor J. Spencer Houk, which are outlined in this article. Houk calls Dr. Steve Sheppard's charges "a lie". Article reports on an apparent confrontation between the two of them.
Dr. Lester T. Hoversten's alibi is also explained in this article. 10 people who visited Dr. Sam Sheppard in jail are also listed here.
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54/08/14 Near Fight, Cry of Lie, End Steve's Accusation of Houk
Cleveland Press
Bay Village Mayor, J. Spencer Houk, is questioned by police on the third floor of Cleveland's central police station by Chief Detective, James McArthur, Homicide Captain, David Kerr, and Detective, Adelbert O'Hara.
On the same day, Dr. Steve Sheppard (Sam's brother) makes a surprise visit at the tail end of the interrogation. When he walks into the room, Mayor Houk allegedly blurts out "you liar". (Houk was allegedly not pleased that Dr. Steve Sheppard had previously given the police "information" which appeared to point the finger of suspicion toward Houk, instead of Sam Sheppard.)
The article also states, "Dr. Steve complimented McArthur on the accuracy with which he had taken down his "information." A light smile crossed the detective chief's lips."
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54/08/14 Ready to Go Ahead Now, Corrigan Says
Cleveland Plain Dealer
William J. Corrigan, Attorney for Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, indicates that his legal team does "not plan to ask for a continuance when Dr. Sheppard appears Monday at 9:15 a.m. for a preliminary hearing."
Article also states that the hearing "will afford Dr. Sheppard an opportunity to make his own statement in answer to the charge that he murdered his wife, Marilyn, July 4."
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54/08/14 Sheppard Case Set For Jury
Cleveland News
A "bombshell" dropped into the month-long murder investigation by prosecutor, Frank T. Cullitan's sudden announcement that the County Grand Jury would be given the first degree murder case against Dr. Samuel H. Shepard "either Monday or Tuesday". The announcement came only 24 hours after Dr. Sam won the fight to bar the Bay Village acting mayor from hearing the case. Cullitan would give no reason for the new maneuver.
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54/08/14 Sheppard Murder Is Set For Grand Jury Next Week
Cleveland Press
Prosecutor, Frank T. Cullitan, abruptly decides to speed up the trial by announcing he will ask for a postponement of the preliminary hearing.
The preliminary hearing is intended solely to decide if there is "probable cause" to hold the defendant for Grand Jury action.
Skipping the hearing would deprive defense counsel, William J. Corrigan, the opportunity to cross-examine prosecution witnesses before the murder trial.
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54/08/17 No Suspect Wants to Talk to Them Now, Police Say
Cleveland Press
Other murder defendants, besides Sheppard, are refusing to talk to police because of Sheppard being released on bail after posting $50,000.00.
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54/08/17 Susan Tells Jury Of Dr. Sam
Cleveland Press
Susan Hayes goes before the Grand Jury to tell of her relationship with Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard.
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54/08/18 Dr. Sam Writes His Own Story
Cleveland Press
Dr. Sam writes "a statement of my position" while in County Jail.
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54/08/18 Like a Bad Dream to Sam's Parents
Cleveland Press
Describes the scene at the house of Sam Sheppard's parents, Ethel and Richard A. Sheppard, when Sam was picked up on the grand jury's charge of first-degree murder.
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54/08/18 List of Key Events and Dates in Sheppard Murder Inquiry
Cleveland Press
Timetable of events in Marilyn Sheppard murder investigation and photos of Grand Jury foreman, Prosecutors, and court officials as the Grand Jury Indictment of Sam Sheppard is delivered.
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54/08/18 Two Other Women May Face Doctor
Cleveland Press
Statements were obtained by two "other women" in Los Angeles, California, and assistant prosecutor, John J. Mahon is studying those statements to see if the two women should be brought to Cleveland, Ohio, to testify. Mahon also makes a list of the people he said will be prosecution witnesses.
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54/08/20 Doctor Writes About His Past
Cleveland Press
While in County Jail, Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard writes a belated account of his life at the request of his Attorneys.
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54/08/20 Dr. Sam Fails To Ask For Bail
Cleveland Press
Associate defense counsel, Fred Garmone, enters a plea of "not guilty" on behalf of Sam Sheppard, who remained silent during today's two-minute arraignment hearing.
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54/08/20 (Photo from Sheppard Arraignment)
Cleveland Press
A photo from the Sheppard Arraignment showing Dr. Richard Sheppard and Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Sheppard.
(Accompanying story for photo appears in newspaper of the same date, 8/20/2018, on pg. 1)
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54/10/14 Dr. Sam Asks Trial in Another County
Cleveland News
Dr. Sam's attorney files a motion to shift the murder trial to another County.
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54/10/14 Scene and Cast of Sheppard Murder Drama
Cleveland Press
Article sets the scene for the upcoming Sheppard trial, by publishing a picture of the empty courtroom as seen from the bench. It is labeled to show where the jury, press, prosecution, defense, and bailiff will be seated. Other pictures, including those of the persons most likely involved in the proceedings, are also published. The trial is scheduled to be held Monday morning, which is just four days away.