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Part 2 | Back to Part 1 July 10, 1954 Sheppard voluntarily gives a formal statement, taken at the Cuyahoga County Sherrif's Office, with several officers in attendance. July 20, 1954 Front-page editorial: "Someone Is Getting Away with Murder"—part of the unabated editorial attack calling for Dr. Sheppard's arrest and conviction. July 21, 1954 a.m. Front-page editorial: "Why No Inquest? Do It Now, Dr. Gerber." p.m. Dr. Gerber calls inquest. July 22, 1954 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 formally takes over the investigation of the murder from Bay Village police and, for the first time, sends out its scientific investigation unit. July 26, 1954 Headline: Police Captain "Urges Sheppard's Arrest." July 28, 1954 Editorial: "Why Don't Police Quiz Top Suspect?" July 29, 1954 Vern Lund joins service, reports to basic training in Florida.
a.m. Front-page editorial: "Why Isn't Sam Sheppard in Jail?" 10 p.m. Dr. Sheppard arrested and taken to suburban city hall, where hundreds of newscasters, photographers, and reporters await his arrival. August 1954 Massive press coverage, including cartoons, editorials, rumor, innuendo. August 16, 1954 Judge finds no evidence and releases Dr. Sheppard on bail. August 17, 1954 Dr. Sheppard indicted for murder. Grand jury foreman Bert Winston complains that members of the grand jury were under enormous pressure. Dr. Sheppard is rearrested—his last day of freedom for nearly ten years. Continue: October 9, 1954 Chronology of a Murder | Science in the Courtroom Create a DNA Fingerprint | 3-D Mug Shot | Cleared by DNA Resources | Transcript | Site Map Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000 |
A week after the killing, a Cuyahoga County official
filled out this evidence tag.
In the years since the murder, Ohioan police officers
who collected evidence at the crime scene have
repeatedly come under attack for purportedly shoddy
work.
Dr. Sam Sheppard shortly after the murder. Notice his
neck brace and swollen right eye—consequences,
he told police, of his battle with his wife's
bushy-haired killer.