I have been living with a skeleton in my closet for 55 years. What if I took that skeleton out, dusted it off, and asked it to dance a little?
Early on the morning of July 4, 1954, my Aunt Marilyn, four months pregnant and mother to my 7-year-old cousin, Chip, was found beaten to death with over 30 blows to her face and head. My Uncle, Dr. Sam Sheppard, was accused of her murder before any investigation into the facts.
That day my family became living victims of a savage murder and an equally savage witch hunt. As a 9-year-old, I was embarrassed by daily newspaper headlines screaming accusations at my uncle — who always maintained his innocence — and I felt confused and shamed by the public condemnation of my family.
My uncle was declared “not guilty” in 1966, after serving more than 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. I’m certain he never would have been convicted in the first place with today’s more sophisticated forensic investigation and DNA analysis, but our lives were shaped forever by the events of 1954. And that’s when the skeleton first took residence in my closet.
Today, however, I see this story does not deserve skeleton status. It’s a story that needs to be told, and it’s an unsolved murder mystery in need of resolution.
Read the whole story and learn the facts at http://www.drsamsheppard.org
Hi – Jan! glad you are still moving on this – interesting way to go and test the waters.
Wish I had some $ to contribute, but still against it as most of us are.
So important this story….and a positive way to approach it. Sam
Sam, Thanks for your encouragement!