3. The Trial of Sam Sheppard
This case will outrage you.
In 1954, Sam Sheppard fell asleep while watching TV in his own house. His pregnant wife’s scream woke him up and when he went upstairs to investigate he was knocked out unconscious.
He woke up and his wife was dead. The press then proceeded to start a huge circus, making incriminatory headlines, pushing and asking for Sheppard’s incarceration.
It got so bad the media ended up tampering with the case. He would later be charged with his wife’s murder as a result of constant pressure coming from the newspapers.
Sheppard appealed the decision, 10 YEARS LATER!!! And in 1966 was acquitted. He died a free man.
4. The Manson Family Trial
You may be familiar with the Manson Family cult, Charles Manson and their horrific deeds that shocked a nation. If not, in 1969 the followers of Manson committed eight murders.
One of their victims was pregnant actress Sharon Tate and a few of her friends present at the house when the cult stroke.
They were inspired by their leader to start a race war. The brutal killings, their beliefs combined with their looks and odd behavior started a media circus.
Known to this day as one of the most publicized cases.
The members of the cult and Charles Manson himself were found guilty (even though the leader wasn’t present when the crimes occurred he ordered them and he was charged anyway).
