Sheppard v Maxwell

The wife of Dr. Sam Sheppard(Marilyn Sheppard) was bludgeoned to death on July 4, 1954. She was found in the upstairs bedroom of her home in Bay Village, Ohio. The town mayor called the local police, Dr. Sheppard’s brother(also a doctor) and the next door neighbors. Local police advised the local coroner and the Cleveland Police Department. When the coroner arrived, he pronounced Marilyn Sheppard dead, examined Dr. Sheppard and took him to a …

…over for a grand jury trial. August 17, Dr. Sheppard was indicted on the count of murder. He released a statement declaring his innocence the day after his indictment. His trial started two weeks before November General Elections. Chief Prosecutor was a candidate for judge, Judge Blythin(trial judge) was running for reelection. Jury selection started October 18, this was a highly publicized trial which lasted only nine weeks. Dr. Samuel Sheppard was found guilty of murder.