The Sheppard murder case generated an incredible amount of public interest. As a result, many letters were written to the police, coroner, attorneys, and others related to the case. Some of the letters contained "tips" to help the police solve the case. Other letters profess with conviction that Sam Sheppard was either guilty or innocent. The letters reflect the diverse view points of the public and often contain vitriol or personal attacks on public officials and the Sheppard family. Readers are advised that these letters should not be taken as statements of fact--they contain opinions and accusations that may or may not have any standing in fact.
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Letter 11
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Deputy Sheriff Carl Rossbach suggesting the use of a hidden lie detector placed inside an armchair (includes illustration).
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Letter 12
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office recommending that Myrus the Mind Reader be brought in as a consultant.
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Letter 13
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Letter to Dr. Richard A. Sheppard (Sam's father) offering to take the blame for Marilyn's murder in exchange for $25,000.
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Letter 14
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Letter to Howard Beaufait at the Cleveland News speculating about the relationships between the Houks and the Sheppards.
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Letter 15
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Letter describing the motive for Marilyn's murder as the protection of the reputation of the Sheppard family and the family business, Bay View Hospital. Suggests Marilyn wanted a divorce and the murderer was the father or brother of Sam.
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Letter 16
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber from a concerned Cleveland citizen stating Sam's guilt and providing information about potential murder weapons (illustrations included).
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Letter 17
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber stating that the courts have known of Sam's innocence for quite some time and asking them to "restor[e] him back to full citizenship."
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Letter 18
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber from a "solid citizen" expressing great displeasure for Gerber and the editor of the Cleveland Press, Louis B. Seltzer, for railroading Sam simply for the betterment of their careers, limelight, and glory.
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Letter 19
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Anonymous note sent to Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber asking who paid him off.
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Letter 20
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Letter to Cuyahoga County Coroner Samuel R. Gerber from an individual claiming to have damaging information about the murder case.