A True Crime Novella

by Janet Sheppard Duvall

Sam and Marilyn Sheppard

Marilyn, young Sam (Chip), and Sam Sheppard 

Dedication

 I wish to express deep appreciation and great admiration for Dr. Paul Leland Kirk and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

 This true crime story centers on the indisputable physical evidence of the Sam Sheppard murder case as documented through court testimony and the investigative report of criminalist Dr. Paul Leland Kirk. Dr. Kirk was hired in 1955 by the Sheppard family to provide an impartial investigation of the murder of Mrs. Marilyn Sheppard.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, interacting with Dr. Kirk, is — of course — fiction. However, all scientific comments and conclusions attributed to Dr. Kirk and Mr. Sherlock Holmes throughout this story are based on actual physical evidence and Dr. Kirk’s analysis – bringing visibility and credit to Dr. Kirk’s investigation into the death of Mrs. Marilyn Sheppard and her killer . . . the killer who got away with murder.

Prologue

I hope this story will heighten public awareness for police and prosecutorial misconduct.  Evidence strongly suggests that Dr. Sam Sheppard was wrongly convicted due to the prejudicial behavior of the Cuyahoga County Coroner, Cleveland detectives and the prosecutorial team. Please see Author’s Notes to understand the prevalence and serious impact of prosecutorial misconduct in this country.  

Read the complete novella, published as a series of posts on this blog.