Statement to the Media
Statement
of Sam Reese Sheppard & Terry Gilbert
"We respect the law and the Court striving to uphold that law. "In Sheppard v. Cuyahoga County, we have a court date in order to present evidence and hear arguments from both sides for the resolution of this case. That date is January 31, 2000, which is 11 days away. "We believe that the proper place for presentation of evidence in a civil or criminal case is in a Court of Law. Therefore, we have no comment on the specific evidence in this case, one way or the other, until that evidence is presented under the supervision of the Court, for the proper consideration of a sworn jury. This case has set legal precedent and has been, and is now again, on the cutting edge of forensic science. The evidence will be examined and argued by leading experts of our time. "The Sheppard case is known around the world, with historic importance, not only to Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio, but for the entire the nation. In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court called it "a trial by newspaper." In a subsequent fair trial, my father was found "not guilty," and we stand by that fact. Sheppard v. Maxwell set new standards for the role of the media in criminal justice matters which still stand today. We do not intend to participate in the attempt to try this case through the media. "It is time for new law to be written that holds police, prosecutors, and other public officials accountable and responsible for actions that incarcerate and destroy the lives of innocent people. We hope this case will contribute to positive change in our criminal justice system. "The media and public officials in Cuyahoga County are free to say what they please. We look forward to exercising our right in a Court of Law to present a free, unbiased examination of the facts, and let the jury determine the outcome of this case. "We look forward to our day in Court." Sam Reese Sheppard
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