POLI 4021 Chapter : Brief 14
Document Summary
Facts: samuel sheppard was convicted of second-degree murder of his wife. He challenged this verdict, and said that the trial judge had failed to protect him against the widespread, prejudicial publicity he attained before his prosecution. The court of appeals reversed the lower courts decision. Sheppard appealed again and the united states supreme court granted certiorari. Issue: 1) was sheppard denied a fair trial because the trial judge failed to protect him from the massive, pervasive and prejudicial publicity attaining his prosecution: decision and action: 1) yes reversed and remanded (it is so ordered). Court decided that it should not be so broad that it diverts the trial away from its original purpose. Due to the repeated broadcasts made by media of. Sheppard confessing to the crimes in which he was being charged, the hostile coverage by radio stations and print medias, and the collaboration of the prosecution and the media in the courtroom, the jurors were unable to give.
