The Story of Sam Sheppard
Sam and Marilyn Sheppard
Sheppard Doctors
The Crime
July 3 1954
 Marilyn was brutally beaten to death on
her own bed
 Sam was attacked by the “intruder”
 Chip was asleep in his room just down the
hall
 Neighbors and friends Mayor Houk and
Ester were first to arrive at scene.
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Sam’s Pants
Sketch
Richard Elenburg
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Mayor Houk& Ester
Sam arrested
Jury visit to Sheppard home
First trial- Sam convicted
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The “forensic expert” Dr. Gerber testified about
the blood stained pillow
Mostly character witnesses claiming infidelity
Susan Hayes testified of affair
Evidence ignored- cigarette in toilet, blood stain
on floor,
Sam was convicted Dec 17, 1954 of murder in
the second degree and sentenced to life in
prison
His mother shot herself on Jan 7 and father died
of a bleeding ulcer 11 days later.
Sam spent the next 10 years in
prison while his lawyer filed for a
new trial
Court of Appeal’s Decision
Sam’s lawyer petitioned the supreme court
for 10 years for a new trial stating the first
trial was a “trial by media”
 July 16, 1964 supreme court said he could
have a new trial!
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New wife Ariane
Started writing Sam in
prison
 Wealthy divorce’
 Married in 1964
 Divorced in 1968
citing violence. Sam
was throwing liquor
bottles at her
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New trial
Began Nov 10 1966
 Paul Kirk- Forensic scientist testified
 New evidence was introduced
 Nov 16 1966 Sam was found NOT GUILTY
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Doctor turned Pro Wrestler
Sam married 20 year
old Colleen Strickland
 Began a professional
wrestling career with
a special “nerve hold”
 Died April 6 1970 of
failed liver- he was
drinking up to 2 Fifths
of liquor a day.
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