Sam Sheppard
Behind the Murderer
His Early Years
Sam Sheppard was born in 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of three brothers growing up. His father was Dr. Richard Allen Sheppard (probably the influence on Sam becoming a Osteopathic Physician in his adult hood).Sam attended Cleveland Heights High School, where he met his future wife Marilyn Reese. Through out high school Sam was a good student, very active in sports such as Football,Basketball, and Track. After high school Sam went to "Western Reserve University in Cleveland. [Then Sam] finished his medical education at the Los Angeles Osteopathic School of Physicians and Surgeons.... He completed his internship and a residency in neurosurgery at Los Angeles County General Hospital. A few years after marrying Marilyn Reese on February 21, 1945, in Hollywood, California, Sheppard returned to Ohio and joined his father's growing medical practice at Bay View Hospital"(Wiki). After all Sam accomplished in his life, no one would have guessed who he would be come.
The Unforeseen Future
Maraige, Family, Murder
After returning to Ohio, Sam and his wife started a family. They from everyone around them, seemed like a good couple, a normal family.Until the morning of July 4th, 1954. Marilyn Sheppard was found beaten to death in bed. Sam calmed innocence, he said he discovered his wife body then a few moments later was hit twice on the head by someone and knocked out. Although after the police found no evidence of break in, Sam became there main suspect. Later to be convicted of 2nd degree murder and life in prison, so they thought.
The Murder and Case against Sam Sheppard
After Sams conviction of 2nd degree murder, he filed for an appeal due to the prejudicial publicity. He claimed it made the means for a fair trial impossible. In 1964 he was released after his lawyer fought tooth and nail to win the case. However his freedom was short lived and he was sent back to prison due to the federal court of appeals re opening it. He had to go threw another trial. During this trial there were no cameras, only a few reporters, and Sam was found not guilty and released. Soon after his release Sham started drinking and his life went down hill. He died in 1970 due to liver failure.
Councel
Riding to Court
Walking the Streets in Front of Court House
Rage of a Son
After his fathers death, his son Sam, went on a hunt to find his mothers actual killer. He did not believe his father did it, and threw later years of DNA testing. His father was indeed proved innocent. They never found the real killer although Richard Eberling was a big suspect. There was never enough evidence to convict someone. This was longest on going trial in U.S history.