Lecture 28 Sam Sheppard
- 1. To Tell A Clevelander I Undressed Marilyn Sheppard William Bligh-Glover M.D. CASE
- 3. Tragedy as Landmark Where Danny Green got blown up Brainard Place—Ford administration Where Shondor Burns got blown up Massimo de Milano—Johnson administration Sam Sheppard’s Hospital Bay Village—Eisenhower administration
- 4. Prologue The Sheppards had friends over 3 rd July, 1954 Dinner Watched a movie Sam listened to the Indians game Fell asleep on the daybed
- 5. The Crime Sam called the Mayor and his brother Steven “Come quick, Spen, I think someone’s killed Marilyn” Marilyn found in a pool of blood in her bedroom. Spencer heard Steve ask Sam “Did you do this?” “Hell, no.” Police arrived shortly thereafter.
- 6. The daybed
- 7. The spilled medical bag
- 9. The study
- 10. The death scene
- 11. The victim in situ
- 12. The victim
- 13. The victim
- 14. Sam’s story He was sleeping on daybed Heard wife scream Went upstairs, knocked out by “form” Came to, checked wife, checked son Heard noise, went downstairs “Form” fled down to beach, knocked him out again Came to, called the mayor and his brother
- 15. Police sketch
- 16. Marilyn
- 17. Sam
- 18. The Problems People rampaging around crime scene Cigarette in toilet Pissing contest with the authorities Antipathy towards family Rumors Media hysteria “Roman holiday”-- Justice Bell Ohio Supreme Court “Hippodrome atmosphere” Wm.Corrigan
- 19. Cleveland Press Headlines Expressions of populist outrage “Someone is getting away with murder!” “Quit Stalling and Bring Him In!”
- 20. Samuel Gerber
- 21. The Inquest ORC Coroner may hold an inquest Cleveland Press pushed for one No one is entitled to counsel Sheppard’s lawyer showed up anyway “What does Sam need a lawyer for?” Lawyer objected on the record Expelled by Dr. Gerber
- 22. Inquest
- 23. Tried for murder, guilty of adultery Idyllic marriage Adultery Susan Hayes “There’s the playboy of the Western World” “Lack of sexual aggressiveness” “That’s what happens when you go on vacation without your condoms.”
- 24. Susan Hayes
- 25. Trial 1 Transcript >6000 pages Sam’s testimony not believed Said “I don’t know 156 times” Said Marilyn bled in the house Stilted diction …where I lunged or jumped or grabbed him in the back, either body or leg. It was something solid. However I am not sure…I had the feeling of twisting or choking and this terminated my consciousness.
- 26. Prison life Mother’s suicide Model prisoner Wrestling team Experimental subject Married Arianne Tebbenjohaans Josef Goebbel’s sister-in-law Writ of habeas corpus 1964
- 27. Trial 2 Transcript ~1500 pages Many witnesses not called Susan Hayes State didn’t provide motive Sam didn’t take the stand Prosecution pulled its punches Acquittal Within weeks of parole anyway.
- 28. Redemption
- 29. Not quite Multiple malpractice suits Lost medical license Divorced Arianne domestic violence Became a professional wrestler “ Killer” Sheppard “ Mandibular nerve hold” Married promoter’s daughter Died of liver failure age 46
- 31. SODDI Some Other Dude Did It!
- 32. The Houks
- 33. Richard Eberling
- 34. Comparison
- 35. The case for Eberling Eberling—Jailhouse confession Eberling—Thief Eberling—Bled in Sheppard house Tanay—Sexually sadistic homicide Eberling killed woman DNA Blood spatter DNA not inconsistent with Eberling Sperm in vaginal swabs Wrist scar from Marilyn’s nail
- 36. The case against Eberling Eberling—Jailhouse confession Repudiated, passed polygraph Eberling—Thief Stole from Richard Sheppard’s house Eberling—Bled in Sheppard house Never ID by Sheppard at trial Tanay—Sexually sadistic homicide Eberling not interested in women ABO Blood spatter not Eberling’s ABO group Sperm in vaginal swabs
- 37. Serology Summary Marilyn Sheppard Type O Sam Sheppard Type A Richard Eberling Type A Disputed stain on closet door Type O Blood on Sheppard’s pants Type O
- 39. Marilyn’s Exhumation Early morning Convoy Exhumation Water damage inside and out Clothes intact Body skeletonized Bottom fell out of casket Entourage Media Returned to CCCO Chased by helicopters DNA sampling Roman holiday continued
- 40. Trial 3 Estate sued Ohio Wrongful imprisonment Negligent in not pursuing Richard Eberling Wide-ranging conspiracy
- 41. The Conspiracy Cuyahoga County authorities were out to get the Sheppards Malignant influence of Sam Gerber poisoned the people of Cuyahoga County Elizabeth Balraj is doing his bidding still Eminence gris There can never be justice
- 42. Drama in the court “Johnnie Cochrane/OJ” strategy Ad hominem attacks CCCO & CCPO Tremendous efforts Impugn experts Limit testimony Dramatic reaction to verdict Difficulty finding camera Consoled by Sam Reese Sheppard
- 43. Autograph evidence Ink is consistent Poor taste Sheppard partisans dismiss this Handwriting analysis not conclusive
- 44. The autograph
- 45. The books
- 46. “I got Cyriled” Stan Seligman Criticisms of CCCO Perceive an antipathy to Dr. Gerber By extension to CCCO
- 48. Mortal Evidence Cleveland has been irreversibly poisoned Unable to appreciate forensic science
- 49. My conclusions I believe that Sam Sheppard killed Marilyn Sheppard Occam’s razor Lying Obvious benefit I do not believe Sam’s cockamamie story What burglar would do this What about the clothes Blood on the pants I believe that the first trial was not fair and unbiased I believe Chip Sheppard is sincere but deluded. I believe he has been taken advantage of.
- 50. Cyril, Henry, and Michael