famous criminal attorney whose defense is sam shepard got him an acquitted the second time around

by Hollie Dare 8 min read

Francis Lee Bailey Jr. (June 10, 1933 – June 3, 2021) was an American criminal defense attorney. Bailey's name first came to nationwide attention for his involvement in the second murder trial of Sam Sheppard, a surgeon accused of murdering his wife.

Who was Sam Sheppard’s lawyer?

Aug 20, 2020 · CLEVELAND (WJW) — 25 years ago, famed criminal defense attorney F. Lee Bailey was part of the so-called “dream team” of lawyers defending football star O.J. Simpson against charges of murder.

What happened at Sam Sheppard’s trial?

But, the two cases share a key legal figure, according to the Baltimore Sun, attorney F. Lee Bailey, who argued for Sheppard's release and was a part of …

Was Sam Sheppard’s case immortalized in ‘the fugitive’?

Jun 25, 2010 · At his second trial, with young F. Lee Bailey as his defense attorney, Dr. Sam Sheppard was acquitted of his wife’s terrible murder. The famous case continues to fuel speculation more than a half century later.

Was Sam really guilty as charged?

On July 4, 1954, Marilyn Sheppard, the wife of a handsome thirty-year-old doctor, Sam Sheppard, was brutally murdered in the bedroom of their home in Bay Village, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie. Sam Sheppard denied any involvement in the murder and described his own battle with the killer he described as "bushy-haired."

Who was Sam Sheppard's defense attorney?

Sam Sheppard, dead at 87. F. Lee Bailey, the celebrity attorney who defended O.J. Simpson, Patricia Hearst and the alleged Boston Strangler, but whose legal career halted when he was disbarred in two states, has died, a former colleague said Thursday.Jun 3, 2021

Who was OJS attorney?

Actor and football star O. J. Simpson had four lawyers representing him at his trial for murder: Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Robert Shapiro and F.(34)

Was OJ at Nicole's funeral?

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

While Kim Kardashian has yet to officially become a lawyer, the reality star passed the baby bar exam in December of 2021.Mar 26, 2022

Who is the attorney for Sheppard?

But, the two cases share a key legal figure, according to the Baltimore Sun, attorney F. Lee Bailey, who argued for Sheppard's release and was a part of the "Dream Team" working on O.J.'s criminal case (in the series, he is portrayed by Nathan Lane).

Who is Sam Sheppard?

Simpson didn't have enough names floating around, here's one more you should keep track of — Dr. Sam Sheppard, whose case will become an important comparison point for Simpson's as the show moves on into the legal proceedings. So, who is Sam Sheppard? Dr. Sheppard, who died in 1970, was a doctor who was convicted of murdering his wife in 1954, only to be exonerated in 1966, according to Cleveland State University. His initial conviction came in a trial that, for the time, was a media sensation — not unlike the way the O.J. Simpson case is looked at today. And as the History Channel's website claimed, the trial paved the way for the media blackout now required to ensure juries make unbiased decisions.

Who was the creator of the Fugitive?

Sheppard's life is often credited as being the inspiration for the TV series and film adaptation of The Fugitive , even though the creator of the series and writer of the 1993 movie, Roy Huggins, denied any direct inspiration in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Reporter Jane Galbraith wrote, " The Fugitive, Huggins insists, was inspired by an idea to do a series about Western heroes and drifters and then contemporized for the growing television audience of the 1960s."

When was Sam Sheppard's trial?

Jury visits Sheppard home during 1954 trial. The trial of Sam Sheppard opened on October 18, 1954 in the Cleveland courtroom of seventy-year-old Judge Edward Blythin. Celebrity journalists flocked to the city for a trial that promised sex, mystery, and intrigue in abundance.

Where was Sam Sheppard murdered?

On July 4, 1954, Marilyn Sheppard, the wife of a handsome thirty-year-old doctor, Sam Sheppard, was brutally murdered in the bedroom of their home in Bay Village, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie. Sam Sheppard denied any involvement in the murder and described his own battle with the killer he described as "bushy-haired.".

What did Sheppard say to Marilyn?

Sheppard said that he was sleeping downstairs on the daybed when he heard Marilyn shout, "Sam!". According to his story (which he repeated later to police officers), Sheppard ran up the dimly lit stairs to their bedroom where he saw a white "form" standing next to his wife's twin bed.

How did the Sheppard murder trial start?

The trial began with a series of defeats for the defense. Most significantly, Judge Blythin denied defense motions to move the trial out of Cleveland and to delay the trial until publicity about the case could die down. The trial would proceed with a jury already familiar with many of the facts--and the rumors--surrounding the Sheppard murder. All but one member of the jury admitting having read about or seen televised reports on the case. The jury's assignment to impartially judge the facts presented in the trial became further complicated when Cleveland papers published each of their photos and names.

How many juries did Sam Sheppard face?

Facing two different juries, twelve years apart, Sam Sheppard was found guilty by one jury, not guilty by the next. Even over the past decade, partisans continued the debate. A third jury in 2000, asked to consider awarding the Sheppard family damages for wrongful imprisonment, sided with county prosecutors.

What did Drenkhan find in the Sheppard's Den?

In the den, a high school track trophy of Sam's and a bowling trophy of Marilyn's lay scratched and broken on the floor. Drenkhan discovered the drawers of Sheppard's desk opened--but all in an oddly even way and nothing appeared to be missing.

Why is the Sheppard case so famous?

Apart from the large unanswered question of guilt, the Sheppard case deserves to be considered among the nation's most famous because it produced a landmark U. S. Supreme Court decision on fair trial rights and launched the career of a flamboyant young defense attorney named F. Lee Bailey.

Where was Sam Sheppard murdered?

On July 4, 1954, Marilyn Sheppard, the wife of a handsome thirty-year-old doctor, Sam Sheppard, was brutally murdered in the bedroom of their home in Bay Village, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie. Sam Sheppard denied any involvement in the murder and described his own battle with the killer he described as "bushy-haired.".

Why is the Sheppard case so famous?

Apart from the large unanswered question of guilt, the Sheppard case deserves to be considered among the nation's most famous because it produced a landmark U. S. Supreme Court decision on fair trial rights and launched the career of a flamboyant young defense attorney named F. Lee Bailey....

How many juries did Sam Sheppard face?

Facing two different juries, twelve years apart, Sam Sheppard was found guilty by one jury, not guilty by the next. Even over the past decade, partisans continued the debate. A third jury in 2000, asked to consider awarding the Sheppard family damages for wrongful imprisonment, sided with county prosecutors.

What happens if the mystery is not resolved?

Almost always, if the the mystery is not fully resolved at the trial, subsequent admissions, previously uncovered clues, or more sophisticated forensic tests reveal what the trial did not. Not so with the Sam Sheppard case.

Was Sam Sheppard innocent?

In 2001, a book on the Sheppard case concluded that Sam was clearly innocent. Two years later, another book on the case argued just as forcefully that the first jury got it right: Sam was guilty as charged.

When was OJ Simpson acquitted?

Simpson was found not guilty on the morning of October 3rd, 1995. As a result of his acquittal, a wrongful death civil trial took place in 1997 where OJ Simpson was held liable for both deaths. The civil suit awarded the victims’ families over $33 million, much of which came from selling O.J. Simpson’s prized belongings.

What did the Clinton defense team argue about the trial?

In addition the defense argued that the charges did not meet the Constitutional standards required to convict, much less unseat the President.

Why was Aaron Burr a treasoner?

Aaron Burr was the third Vice President of the United States, and is famous for his duel with Alexander Hamilton, which he won. He was accused of participating in the “Burr Conspiracy,” an alleged treasonous plot against the United States. The charges were based on claims that Burr was gathering an army to take territory from Spain, in what would have been an act of war. Burr’s attorney, Edmund Randolph, offered the defense that Burr had never committed an actual act of treason. Burr argued that his cause was peaceful and patriotic, and that he never fled from justice, but rather, faced trial in various courts where he was acquitted of similar charges. United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall presided over the trial, and declared that Aaron Burr hadn’t committed treason because he didn’t commit an act of war. As a result, the jury found him not guilty of treason. After his acquittal his political career disintegrated, and he was forced by circumstances to flee to Europe to escape his infamy. He became buried in debt and lived the rest of his life under the surname “Edwards,” living in obscurity.

What were the jurors in the Rodney King trial?

The jurors were also either security guards, ex-military, or other demographic groups sympathetic to the police. During the trial, the defense’s case revolved around the assertion that the police officers’ actions were justified, and that Rodney King’s actions justified the level of force used against him.

How many felony charges did Michael Jackson have?

The jury deliberated for a week, after which they acquitted Michael Jackson on all 10 felony counts and 4 misdemeanor charges. When the trial was over, the biggest loser turned out to be the media, which was roundly criticized for its biased coverage of the trial.

What is the role of a defense attorney in a criminal case?

It is the defense attorney’s job to speak for the defendant and to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case. Because a person is considered innocent until proven guilty, the defense attorney does not carry ...

Why is the defense team so challenging?

This is because the defense must be aware of all evidence gathered and review it to determine any weakness or inconsistencies that could result in an acquittal. High profile cases often prove even more challenging. When a celebrity or a politician is charged with a crime, ...

Why were the police tried in the Rodney King trial?

The first trial of the policemen accused of beating Rodney King ended in acquittals that resulted in large riots in LA and other places. Police were tried again in Federal Court for civil rights violations as a rather corrupt excuse to get around the double jeopardy clause, and were then convicted.

How old was Trayvon Martin when he shot him?

His claim of self defense in shooting death of unarmed 17 year old Trayvon Martin created enormous debate over carrying guns by citizens and the wording of self defense statutes.

Was the ax murderer found guilty?

Although found not guilty of ax-murdering her parents, many people then and now think there are no other plausible explanations.

When was Sheppard acquitted?

In 1966 , the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Sheppard’s conviction, faulting the trial judge for not sequestering the jurors and ruling that “massive, pervasive and prejudicial publicity” had prevented Sheppard from getting a fair trial. Later that year, Sheppard was retried and acquitted.

What happened to Sam Sheppard's wife?

In the early hours of July 4, 1954, Sam Sheppard’s pregnant wife, Marilyn, was bludgeoned to death in her bed at the couple’s Bay Village, Ohio, home. Sheppard, a doctor, claimed he’d been sleeping on a living room couch when he heard his wife’s cries, ran upstairs toward her bedroom and was struck from behind and knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he saw an intruder downstairs and chased him outside; they struggled and Sheppard was knocked out again. The Sheppard’s young son slept through the entire incident. Amidst a media frenzy, Sheppard was arrested and put on trial, during which the prosecution argued the doctor had been motivated to kill his wife so he could run off with a woman with whom he was having an affair. In December 1954, Sheppard was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

What was the case against Arbuckle?

The defense, meanwhile, poked holes in the prosecution’s case and questioned why Delmont had not been called to testify. Arbuckle’s first two trials ended with hung juries while his third concluded in April 1922 with an acquittal, along with a statement of apology from the jurors that read, in part: “We feel that a great injustice has been done to [Arbuckle]…for there was not the slightest proof adduced to connect him in any way with the commission of a crime.”

Why was Marilyn Sheppard released from prison?

Sheppard spent a decade behind bars before a federal court ordered him released on the grounds he’d been denied his constitutional right to a fair trial; the court cited a variety of reasons, including the trial judge’s failure to disqualify himself after making biased comments about the case. In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Sheppard’s conviction, faulting the trial judge for not sequestering the jurors and ruling that “massive, pervasive and prejudicial publicity” had prevented Sheppard from getting a fair trial. Later that year, Sheppard was retried and acquitted. Afterward, he briefly returned to practicing medicine and then, to the surprise of a number of people, embarked on a professional wrestling career; he died from liver disease at age 46. No one else ever was charged with Marilyn Sheppard’s murder, although there has been speculation the Sheppards’ window washer might’ve committed the crime. The TV series “The Fugitive,” which first aired in the 1960s and later became a movie, is often said to have been inspired by Sheppard’s case; however, the program’s creator denied being influenced by it.

Why was Sheppard released?

Sheppard spent a decade behind bars before a federal court ordered him released on the grounds he’d been denied his constitutional right to a fair trial; the court cited a variety of reasons , including the trial judge’s failure to disqualify himself after making biased comments about the case .

Who shot Stanford White?

1. The millionaire who gunned down the high-society architect. pinterest-pin-it. Harry Thaw in 1905. (Credit: Hulton Archives/Getty Images) On the night of June 25, 1906, Harry K. Thaw, the son of a railroad and coal magnate, shot and killed famed architect Stanford White during a show at the rooftop theater of New York City’s Madison Square ...

Who was the man who was shot in the head in Chicago?

On March 12, 1924, Belva Gaertner was arrested in Chicago for the murder of auto salesman Walter Law, who had been found shot to death in Gaertner’s car, a bullet in his head from her gun, which was in the vehicle. Police discovered Gaertner at her nearby apartment, her clothing bloody.