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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54/10/23 But Who Will Speak for Marilyn?
Cleveland Press
In Sheppard v. Maxwell, the Court devoted a paragraph to this article, describing it as a "flagrant episode" in the intense publicity at the time of the trial. The story ran while the jury was being selected. Every juror, except one, testified at voir dire to having read stories about case in the newspaper or hearing news broadcasts about it. Seven of the twelve jurors reported having one or more newspapers delivered to their homes. The Court held that the jury was not given strong enough instructions to avoid newspapers, radio programs and TV news reporting on the Sheppard murder.
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54/10/23 Here Is Death Trial Step by Step
Cleveland Press
Explanation of how the trial will proceed.
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54/10/23 Probes Continue in Trial Interlude
Cleveland Press
Prosecution and Defense intensify their investigations during the trial's adjournment.
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54/11/01 State Giving Up Sheppard Home's Keys
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Authorities will turn over the keys of the Sheppard home to Marilyn Sheppard's estate within a few days. It is anticipated that Dr. Sam Sheppard's defense counsel will order an exhaustive examination of the deserted house.
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54/11/03 Actor Corrigan Raps Photographing of Jury
Cleveland Press
After calling a recess, Judge Edward Blythin grants permission to photographers to take pictures of the Jurors. Corrigan objects, but Blythin doesn't respond and leaves the room. Corrigan then calls back the court stenographer to take notes of the incident, because he thought the large amount of photographers made the scene into a "show", considering, as he said, "a man's on trial for his life."
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54/11/03 Courtroom Drama Unfolds as Manning Is Excused as Juror
Cleveland Press
Juror No. 6, James R. Manning, asks to be excused from the jury. Judge Blythin eventually excuses him. Questions asked, and answers given in court, are published here.
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54/11/04 Air View of Jury Visit to Murder Home
Cleveland Press
Aerial pictures of Sam Sheppard's Bay Village home, taken by Press photographer, John Nash.
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54/11/04 All Trials Big Ones to Mahon
Cleveland Press CITY
The Sheppard jury takes a C.T.S. bus to visit the murder scene at 28924 Lake Rd., Bay Village, Ohio. Along the way, they pass a cemetery where a couple of persons reported seeing a bushy-haired man lurking near the tombstones before dawn on the murder morning. Sam Sheppard was also in attendance on the grounds at the Lake Rd. property, along with about a dozen spectators at all times.
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54/11/04 Calls Dr. Sam Love Slayer, Asks Death
Cleveland News
Assistant prosecutor John J. Mahon tells the jury that that Sam Sheppard's infatuation with other women caused arguments between him and Marilyn, which led to him murdering his wife. The defense brings up 3 points to refute that claim.
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54/11/04 Coroner Aide First Witness for State
Cleveland News
Prosecutor, John Mahon, questions the first witness for the State in the Sheppard case, Dr. Lester Adelson, deputy coroner.
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54/11/04 Death Demanded For Dr. Sam; Defense Cites Gentle Nature
Cleveland Press
Opening statements of Assistant Prosecutor, John J. Mahon, are quoted here. He interjects, "The person responsible for such a crime is deserving of the death penalty."
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54/11/04 Defense Presents Opening Statement
Cleveland News
Opening statements by Fred Garmone, an attorney on the defense team for Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, are quoted here extensively. (Objections made by opposing counsel are noted as well.)
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54/11/04 Deputy Coroner Set to Tell of Marilyn's Head Wounds
Cleveland Press
Five small articles of interest regarding the Sheppard case are reported here, including an interview with Deputy Coroner, Lester Adelson, describing the items he brought with him today to the Criminal Courts Building; Items that may help him to explain his autopsy findings in court.
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54/11/04 Jail Hours Drag On And On for Dr. Sam
Cleveland News
A report on how Sam Sheppard spends his time while in jail.
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54/11/04 Jury Gets State Case Preview
Cleveland News
The opening statement of assistant prosecutor, John Mahon, is given to the jury. In it, he outlines a detailed sequence of events that happened the night Marilyn Sheppard was killed.
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54/11/04 Letters Written in Jail Bare Sheppard Feelings
Cleveland News
Some of the private letters that Sam Sheppard wrote from jail to Marilyn's aunt, uncle, and "Grand-dad" are published here. Included is one that was written on the back of homework papers from his son Chip, because of the lack of paper available in jail.
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54/11/04 Life Returns to Death Home; Weather Adds Chill Touch
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Author describes the weather, and how it adds a chilling touch to the scene at Sam Sheppard's Lake Rd. home as the jury views the property. Dr. Sam Sheppard is also nearby and in the vicinity. Interviews with the many onlookers are also published here.
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54/11/04 Mahon Has Cool Court Technique
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Article explores the background and past successes of the Chief Trial Prosecutor, John J. Mahon. In order to prove Marilyn Sheppard was murdered by her husband, Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, the 22 year veteran prosecutor is quoted in the article as saying he will give a "businesslike speech", and then he will present his witnesses in "a business like way".
The article also highlights the records of the two other prosecutors helping Mahon, Saul S. Danaceau & Thomas J. Parrino,
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54/11/04 Mitt Widder Column (Cleveland Press)
Cleveland Press
Mitt Widder, columnist for the Cleveland Press, lists the numerous mechanical devices being used to bring news and pictures from the Sheppard murder trial to the public fast.
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54/11/04 Photos Bring Sobs From Sam as Jurors Tour His Home
Cleveland Press
The jury are taken by bus to Bay Village, Ohio, and are escorted through the Sheppard home by Sheriff Joseph Sweeney. Sam Sheppard was also there and he wept at certain times.
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54/11/04 Prosecution and Defense Attorneys Outline Their Cases
Cleveland Press
After a motion by defense lawyer, W.J. Corrigan, to postpone the trial was overruled by Judge Blythin, opening statements from both the prosecution and defense began in the case of the People of Ohio vs. Sam H. Sheppard.
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54/11/04 Sheppard Drama Set To Unfold
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Jurors solemnly take a tour of the Sheppard home in Bay Village, Ohio. Author describes the rooms they visited.
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54/11/04 Sheppard Lawyer Addresses Jury
Cleveland Press
One of Sam Sheppard's attorneys, Fred W. Garmone, gives an opening address to the jury. In it, he orates a chronology of events that happened both before and after the murder of Marilyn Sheppard. He also asserts to the jury that they will be shown proof that the "last four months of the married life of Marilyn and Sam Sheppard were the happiest."
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54/11/04 Show 7 Colored Pictures Of Slain Marilyn To Jury
Cleveland Press
To the objection of Attorney William J. Corrigan, Dr. Lester Adelson, deputy coroner, showed slides of Marilyn Sheppard's wounds to the jury. Adelson was the first of 26 witnesses to be called by the State. Published here, as well, are opening statements by John J. Mahon.
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54/11/04 Sketches Show Wounds That Killed Marilyn
Cleveland Press
Dr. Lester Adelson, deputy coroner, used actual photographs to describe to the jury today the wounds that Marilyn Sheppard suffered from the slayer's weapon. Press artist, Richard Peeples, used those photographs as a basis for these sketches.