NCJ Number
158015
Date Published
1995
Length
397 pages
Annotation
This volume reexamines the original evidence as well as new evidence indicating that the criminal justice authorities suppressed evidence, used fabricated evidence, and overlooked an important suspect when they secured the conviction of Sam Sheppard for the 1954 murder of his pregnant wife.
Abstract
One of the authors is the son of Sam Sheppard, whose conviction was overturned in 1966 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled that Sheppard was denied a fair trial because of excessive prejudicial media coverage and the judge's inability to control the courtroom's "carnival" atmosphere. The decision established guidelines to prevent adverse publicity from affecting other high-profile cases. At a second trial, Dr. Sheppard was represented by F. Lee Bailey and was found innocent of his wife's murder. With the assistance of a private investigative agency, the authors examine secret contacts, false leads, confessions, tips, forensic evidence, recently recovered documents, and Sheppard family papers. Chapter reference notes and index (Publisher summary modified)