Sam Sheppard trials evidence dating back to 1954 donated to CSU, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

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County Prosecutor Bill Mason designates the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Library, Cleveland State University, as a repository for all materials related to the Sam Sheppard trials. The collection includes documents, photographs, …
Photographer: WEWS/Brian Archer
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Posted: 09/28/2012

By: Colleen Seitz, newsnet5.com

CLEVELAND - Documents, photographs, recordings and exhibits from the Sam Sheppard murder trials were donated Friday to the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Library and Cleveland State University.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason designated the schools as a repository for the collection, dating back to 1954.

( Click here to see images of the Sam Sheppard trials evidence collection )

The Sheppard case has become part of popular culture, but it also produced a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on fair trial rights.

In 1954, Dr. Sheppard was convicted of murdering his wife in their Bay Village home. He was sentenced to life in prison.

In a 1966 appeal, Sheppard v. Maxwell, the Supreme Court determined that Sheppard was denied due process and had an unfair trial, mainly due to the media circus that permeated the original trial and the failure of the presiding judge to sequester the jurors and shield them from media bias. In 1966, Sheppard was acquitted.

In 1996, the Estate of Samuel Sheppard filed a wrongful imprisonment lawsuit. On April 12, 2000, when the 12-week trial was completed, 76 witnesses had testified, more than 600 exhibits were presented and 19 experts took the stand.

The experts testified on subjects including forensic pathology, serology, blood spatter, odontology, head trauma, psychology, forensic photography, radiology, forensic anthropology, DNA, and population genetics, the Cuyahoga County Prosector’s Office stated.

"It was in preparation for the wrongful imprisonment lawsuit that we amassed all of the evidence from the prior two criminal trials. It was a rare opportunity to forever preserve an important piece of legal history and show how the advancements in forensic evidence play such an important role in our criminal justice system," Mason said. "I am very excited to entrust this collection to Cleveland Marshall College of Law."

Once the collection is cataloged, it will be open to scholarly researchers and the general public. In addition, the library plans to digitize the materials and make them accessible online.