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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54/08/09 Victim's Kin Hits Actions Of Sheppard
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Article reports about an unidentified "close relative and confident" of the victim who told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that "It was not Marilyn who sought a divorce in 1950 when she and her husband lived in California"..."Rather it was Dr. Sam who asked her to divorce him." In that interview, the unidentified relative also alleged that, at that time, Dr. Sam had apparently "wished to marry another woman and remain in California."
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54/08/10 Asks Jury Action In Murder Case
Cleveland News
Police Chief, Frank W. Story, grows impatient, and claims the murder case is being unnecessarily delayed by an Affidavit of Prejudice filed by Defense Attorney, William J. Corrigan. Story intentionally meets with County Prosecutor Frank T. Cullitan to discuss the possibility of taking the case directly before the Grand Jury, which would eliminate the necessity of the aforementioned hearing. After filing that affidavit, Corrigan asked for a court continuance of a couple days as well.
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54/08/10 Caravans of Curious Snag Lake Rd. Daily
Cleveland Press
Article reports on the numerous curiosity seekers who are stop, or slow down their automobiles daily, in front of Sam Sheppard's home at 28924 Lake Rd.
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54/08/10 Hold Sheppard Items For Court
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Several items are seized from the Sheppard home in order to reconstruct the murder scene in the courtroom.
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54/08/10 Letters to the Editor
Cleveland News
Two letters to the editor, both rebuking a previous reader's letter written by Mrs. Robert H. Jamison, which equated the 12-hour grilling of Sam Sheppard to "torture."
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54/08/10 Letters to the Editor
Cleveland Press
Two letters to the editor titled, "Get Their Man", and "Awful Injustice Charged." One of which defends Sam Sheppard against the Press.
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54/08/10 Re-Check Murder Evidence
Cleveland Press
Detectives confident that they have "convincing evidence" to prove Sam Sheppard murdered his wife. Article re-counts, among other things, some of Sheppard's alleged affairs. Also, in this article, the prosecutor announces results of City Hospital's physical examination of Sheppard a week earlier, which is apparently in-line with Dr. Richard Hexter's previous examination of him on July 4th, 1954. A "thorough re-check" of the mass of evidence and testimony accumulated began today.
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54/08/11 Dr. Sam Says: "I Wish There Was Something I Could Say--- but There Isn't "
Cleveland Press
Dr. Sam quoted by his older brother, Dr. Richard N. Sheppard.
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54/08/11 New Murder Evidence Is Found, Police Claim
Cleveland News
Recently discovered evidence implicating Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard will not be disclosed until the future trial is held.
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54/08/11 New Quiz Faced By Vital Witness
Cleveland Plain Dealer
A woman from Los Angeles will be re-questioned regarding some "new information" linked to the slaying of Marilyn Sheppard.
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54/08/11 Sixth Woman Is Linked in Doctor Quiz
Cleveland Press
Sixth "other woman" is linked to Sheppard murder probe.
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54/08/12 Coast "Parents" Bare Sheppard Split
Cleveland Press
This story reports that Dr. and Mrs. George L. Hampton of Pasadena, California met Sam through their son, Dr. Robert Hampton, who was a member of Sam's class at the L.A. College of Osteopathic Physicians. It is reported that Sam called the couple his "California parents" and that Chip called them "grandma and grandpa." Mrs. Hampton reported that Marilyn once confided in her that "Sam was getting difficult," but she "was confident she could handle him . . . and that 'he won't be able to get by with everything he thinks he may.'"
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54/08/12 Court Hears Sheppard's Writ Plea
Cleveland News
A hearing on a "writ of prejudice" was conducted today by Common Pleas Judge, Frank J. Merrick, to determine when a "preliminary hearing" is to be held. The grounds for prejudice are based on William J. Corrigan's contention that remarks made by the mayor of Bay Village, Gershom Barber, were "biased".
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54/08/12 'Cuffs Spoil Dr. Sam's 'Best Dressed' Ensemble
Cleveland News
An article describing Dr. Sam Sheppard's appearance, attire, and disposition while at a hearing in Court. He was accompanied by his attorney, William Corrigan, and 3 other legal representatives.
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54/08/12 Dr. Hoversten Tells More
Cleveland Press
Dr. Lester T. Hoversten is flown back from California to face more questions regarding Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Sheppard. Hoversten is quizzed for 3 hours immediately after stepping off the plane.
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54/08/12 Dr. Sam's House Guest Returns
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dr. Lester T. Hoversten, a fellow osteopath and close companion of Dr. Sam Sheppard, is flown in from Los Angeles today to be re-questioned, and to see if he may have further knowledge about the relationship between Dr. Sam Sheppard and his wife Marilyn Sheppard. Hoversten was a guest in the Sheppard home during the days that preceded the July 4th murder.
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54/08/12 Judge Studies Prejudice Bid
Cleveland Press
Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard contended that he could not receive a "fair hearing" before Bay Village Council President Gershom M. M. Barber. This article reports on a "prejudice" hearing that was held in which Dr. Sam's attorney's questioned several witnesses in the courtroom. Gershom M.M. Barber is also directly questioned by Judge Merrick. A synopsis and partial text of that hearing are published here in this article. The Judge announced that "the case would be marked 'submitted,' with a decision to be given tomorrow."
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54/08/12 Pitcher Rattled by "Sandy" Story
Cleveland Press
According to this article, Bob Kelly, a pitcher for an Indianapolis baseball team, was purportedly jarred by the news that his wife, Sandra, was mistakenly labeled as "another woman" in the life of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard.
Kelly lasted only 3 innings during a game against Columbus on the day after learning of the news regarding Sandy. It was Kelly's 8th loss of the season.
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54/08/12 'Sandy' Was Family Friend Of Sheppards
Cleveland News
Mrs. Sandra Nussel Kelly, a close friend of the Sheppards, relates that she lived with the couple in Los Angeles in 1949, for three months. In regards to the Sheppards, Ms Kelly remarks, "they always seemed to be getting along very well."
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54/08/12 Says Council Head Called Sam Guilty
Cleveland News
Article discusses statements previously & allegedly made by Council President Gershom M. Barber:
Robert L. Swanker, former director of public service in Bay Village, testifies in Judge Frank Merrick's Courtroom, that he heard Gershom M. Barber, Bay Council President, express an opinion about whom he thought murdered Sam Sheppard's wife
Attorney, William J. Corrigan, contends that Barber is biased and calls a witness in support of that claim.
Barber denies any prejudice or bias in the case.
Article states, "Judge Merrick will determine whether or not grounds for prejudice exist and, if so, where Dr. Sheppard will be arraigned on the First Degree Murder charge."
"If he should rule that Barber is not qualified to hear the case," ... "he can then designate another magistrate to preside at the hearing."
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54/08/12 Testimony on Doctor's Writ Plea
Cleveland News
An article publishing the testimony (questions & answers given) of today's hearing before Judge Frank J. Merrick's Court. Attorney William J. Corrigan requested it (the hearing) in order to have the first degree murder preliminary hearing transferred from Bay Village Court.
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54/08/12 Witness Helps Murder Case, Chief Says
Cleveland News
Article discusses in-depth the connection that Dr. Lester T. Hoversten had to both Sam & Marilyn Sheppard. His whereabouts at the time of the slaying are also discussed.
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54/08/13 Family Points To Bay Man As New Suspect As Hoversten Talks
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dr. Lester T. Hoversten returns from California and is questioned. Another suspect is then considered.
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54/08/13 Here Is Complete Text Of Merrick's Decision
Cleveland News
The complete text of Common Pleas Judge Frank J. Merrick's decision sustaining an affidavit of prejudice brought by attorneys for Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard is published here in this article.
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54/08/13 Highlights of Merrick Ruling in Sheppard Prejudice Case
Cleveland Press
Gershom M.M. Barber is removed by Judge Frank J. Merrick as the magistrate for the Sheppard case. Judge Merrick designates Common Pleas Judge William K. Thomas, instead, as the person who will conduct the Preliminary Hearing.