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.)
-
54/12/10 Police Offered Him 'Deal' to Confess, Sheppard Says
Cleveland News
Describes Sam's trial testimony in which he recounts the night of the murder and his treatment by law enforcement authorities during the police investigation.
-
54/12/13 Dr. Sam Admits Two More Romances During Marriage
Cleveland News
Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard is intensely cross-examined today by Assistant Prosecutor, John J. Mahon. Sheppard reveals some details about his relations with other women. Defense attorneys heatedly object to the "other women" testimony, to which Judge Edward Blythin overrules their objections declaring, "His relations with other women must be taken into account." A surprise letter from Dr. Hoversten is later introduced, causing Dr. Sam to temporarily lose composure. Defense counsel then rounds out the day by asking Dr. Sam if he has ever sinned in his lifetime. Sheppard addresses the answer to that question directly to the jury.
-
54/12/13 Grave Jury Masks Feelings
Cleveland News
Doris O'Donnell describes the jury as "the most important people in Dr. Sam Sheppard's life." She reports they have been "solemn, attentive and alert" turning the trial. She relates that Sam, unlike the majority of other witnesses, "has turned in his witness box facing the jury directly. He speaks to them as though they were in his lecture class, and he expects fully undivided attention."
-
54/12/13 Sam Adds Susan Details, Admits Marilyn Unhappy
Cleveland Press
Reports on the testimony, under cross-examination of Assistant Prosecutor John J. Mahon, in which Sam admitted he had an extramarital affair, that Marilyn and his father Richard A. Sheppard objected to his affair, and that Marilyn was "fearful she was losing him." Read Sam's complete 1954 trial testimony here.
-
54/12/14 Tells of Dates with Dr. Sam
Cleveland News
This article reports that Margaret Kauzor told Los Angeles police that she dated Sam in 1950. She reportedly knew Sam was married but "saw nothing wrong in dating him because his wife was in the East then."
-
54/12/15 State Demands Death Penalty For Sheppard
The Columbus Citizen
Assistant Prosecutor, Thomas J. Parrino gives the final arguments for the State in its demand that Sheppard be executed for the July 4 murder. A summation of those arguments are published here.
-
54/12/15 Testimony End By Noon Likely
Cleveland Plain Dealer
After yesterday's adjournment, author predicts what will happen at today's trial, and also estimates the timetable of the trial schedule for the rest of the week. Author also describes the manner in which some of the evidence is physically packed away.
-
54/12/16 Sam, Jury Weep At Plea
Cleveland Press
Defense Counsel William J. Corrigan gives his final arguments today, denouncing Cleveland newspapers & public officials, while Assistant Prosectutor, John J. Mahon, demands punishment for Dr. Sam, reminding the jury that the "press" is not on trial. Author also describes the reactions in the courtroom, and of the jury, during the emotionally charged proceedings. Associate Defense Counsel, Fred W. Garmone, pleads for a quick acquittal.
-
54/12/16 The Defense Rests
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Photo of Sam's chief defense counsel William J. Corrigan.
-
54/12/17 Blythin Outlines Possible Verdicts in Charge to Jury
Cleveland Press
The article describes the legal directions Judge Blythin gave the trial jury to follow to find a verdict. He also discussed the different degrees of guilt possible in the verdict, the difference between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence, and the jury's option to recommend mercy (so Sam wouldn't face the death penalty.)
-
54/12/17 Jurors Debate Dr. Sam's Fate
Cleveland Press
Describes the beginning of the jury's deliberations.
-
54/12/17 Jury Debates on Sam
Cleveland Press
Describes Judge Blythin's instructions to the jury which included not discussing the case with anyone -- including themselves -- except in the deliberation room. Hotel arrangements were made, in case the jury couldn't reach a verdict that day.
-
54/12/18 Jury Deadlocked; Talk of Visit to Murder Home
Cleveland News
Describes the status of the jury's deliberations.
-
54/12/18 Sam's Freedom Hope Fades
Cleveland Press
Authors describe the general mood at the Criminal Courts building in Cleveland as the jury deliberated today in a third floor room. They also report about several rumors floating around that the jury might be "deadlocked". Both Prosecution and Defense claim the jury will decide in their respective favor. Another unusual incident involving a mystery woman trying to enter the jury room during deliberations, despite security being around, is also described.
-
54/12/20 Dr. Sam Expects Hung Jury Asks Bail Until Second Trial
Cleveland Press
On this fourth day of deliberations, Judge Blythin believes there is a possibility that the jury may reach unanimity. Dr. Sam asks his attorneys to apply for bail should a second trial be necessary.
-
54/12/20 Review Juror's Answers Seeking Verdict Clew
Cleveland Press
Author ponders what goes on in the minds of the Sheppard case jurors. More specifically, quotations from Juror No. 8, Beatrice P. Orenstein, while she was being quizzed in open court about her eligibility to sit on the juror panel, are published here.
-
54/12/21 And Time Stands Still as Jurors Talk 5 Days
Cleveland Press
This article questions why the jury is deliberating for 5 days and speculation how their families are faring without them. Personal information about the jurors, including addresses, is included.
-
54/12/21 Dr. Sam Adopts Role Of Patient
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sam Sheppard, in an interview with a reporter, says, "It now becomes necessary for me to practice what I have expected of others." He was referring to his former patients in which he expected them to display a faith in God, and a faith in him (Dr. Sheppard). Article also describes the tense, and somewhat emotional scene in the courtroom that day.
-
54/12/21 Sam is Guilty in 2D Degree
Cleveland Press
After five days of deliberation, the jury indicated at 4:13pm on December 21, 1954 that it had reached a verdict. The seven-man, five-woman jury found Sam Sheppard guilty of murder in the second degree in the death of his wife, Marilyn. This verdict spared him from the death penalty, but offered the possibility of life imprisonment. Read the complete verdict here.
-
54/12/21 Sheppard Trial Listed in 10 Top News Events
Cleveland Press
The editors of the United Press chose the Sheppard murder trial as one of the top 10 stories of 1954. Other stories mentioned included: the shooting of five congressmen in the House of Representatives; peace in Indochina, including the fall of Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva Conference; Democrats winning control of the House and Senate and the Supreme Court's decision to outlaw racial segregation in Brown v. Board of Education.
-
54/12/22 2 Voted to Acquit on 1st Ballot
Cleveland Press CITY
Article reports on some of the details that happened during jury deliberations. On the first ballot, all but 2 jurors, Mrs. Elizabeth Burke and Mrs. Louise Feuchter, had concluded that Sam Sheppard killed his wife, Marilyn.
-
54/12/22 Buzzer Hum Brings Trial End
Cleveland Press
This article describes the scene in the courtroom on December 21, 1954 at 4:12pm when a buzzer announced a verdict had been reached until the jury is dismissed at 4:49pm including the reactions of Sam and his family and his attorney William J. Corrigan. Judge Edward Blythin's remarks to the jury are printed.
-
54/12/22 Comment of Principals on Sheppard Verdict
Cleveland Press
Comments on the verdict of second degree murder by: William J. Corrigan, Sam's attorney; Richard N. Sheppard and Stephen A. Sheppard, Sam's brothers; Saul S. Danaceau, Assistant Prosecutor; Thomas J. Parrino, Assistant Prosecutor; James MacArthur, Cleveland Police Department Investigative Inspector; J. Spencer Houk, Bay Village Mayor; Jane Reese, Marilyn's Stepmother, and Sam Sheppard.
-
54/12/22 Dr. Sam Must Serve 10 Years for Parole
Cleveland Press
Reports that Sam must serve a full ten years to be eligible for parole, unless he is granted executive clemency from the Ohio Governor.
-
54/12/22 Dr. Sam's 65-Day Trial Sets Mark
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Chronology of Sheppard trial from October 18th start to the verdict was reported on December 21st.