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9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dr. Sheppard, under sedation and being treated for shock and neck injuries, which he said resulted from his struggle with an intruder, is visited several times and interrogated by the coroner, coroner's investigator, local police chief, two Cleveland police officers, and Bay Village police. By midafternoon, Cleveland officer Schottke tells Sheppard, "I think you killed your wife." Sheppard home sealed and closed off to Dr. Sheppard until after Sheppard is convicted. -
Marilyn is murdered
Sam Sheppard's wife was in bed alone when she was severly beaten and killed -
Mayor arrives at the Sheppard's home
5:50 am Sam called the mayor and told him that Marilyn was dead. The mayor and his wife quickly came over. -
First Officer arrives
6:02 am Officer Fred Denkhan arrives -
6-7:30 am
Police officers, relatives, press, and neighbors troop through the house. Samuel Reese Sheppard, seven years old, then called Chip, is carried away from the house by his uncle Richard. Dr. Sam Sheppard, in pain, is removed to Bay View Hospital. -
8:00 am
Coroner, Dr. Sam Gerber, arrives. -
Funeral
Funeral of Marilyn Sheppard. Son, Sam R., does not attend because of extensive press coverage. Prosecutor criticizes Dr. Sheppard for refusing to permit immediate questioning, although he has already been questioned on several occasions. -
Sam's Statement
Sheppard voluntarily gives a formal statement, taken at the Cuyahoga County Sherrif's Office, with several officers in attendance -
Public Inquest
Beginning of three-day inquest staged in local school gymnasium to accommodate large crowds, reporters, live television and radio crews; Dr. Sheppard searched in full view of crowd; Dr. Sheppard's lawyer is not permitted to participate and is ejected altogether when he tries to introduce evidence. -
Cleveland Police
Cleveland police formally takes over the investigation of the murder from Bay Village police and, for the first time, sends out its scientific investigation unit -
Arrest
Dr. Sheppard arrested and taken to suburban city hall, where hundreds of newscasters, photographers, and reporters await his arrival. -
Bail
Judge finds no evidence and releases Dr. Sheppard on bail. -
Re-arrest
Dr. Sheppard indicted for murder. Dr. Sheppard is rearrested—his last day of freedom for nearly ten years. -
Released
Dr. Sheppard released from prison, after federal district court judge Carl Weinman rules that Sheppard was denied a fair trial. -
Sheppard v Maxwell
U.S. Supreme Court agrees with federal district court judge Weinman, ruling in Sheppard v Maxwell that the trial of Dr. Sam Sheppard was a "carnival" and that Dr. Sheppard was denied a fair trial because the judge failed to take steps to control the courtroom atmosphere and prevent jury bias resulting from excessive press coverage. -
Evidence
Evidence was reexamined; blood spatters in the bedroom and blood drops throughout the house gave some of the most telling evidence. Dr. Paul Kirk concluded that the killer could not have been Same because the killer was left-handed. Dr. Sheppard was right-handed. Jury finds Dr. Sheppard not guilty. -
Second trial begins
Dr. Sheppard's second, and fair, trial begins. -
Evidence
Evidence was reexamined; blood spatters in the bedroom and blood drops throughout the house gave some of the most telling evidence. Dr. Paul Kirk concluded that the killer could not have been Sam because the killer was left-handed. Dr. Sheppard was right-handed. Jury finds Dr. Sheppard not guilty.
