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Story
November 13, 1954
The Key West Citizen
Key West, Monroe County, Florida
What is this article about?
During Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard's trial for murdering his wife Marilyn on July 4 in Bay Village, defense cross-examines Officer Fred Drenkhan to prove Sheppard's willingness to aid police, including a 3.5-hour hospital interview and re-enactment, countering prosecution's non-cooperation claims.
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CLEVELAND. (P)—How well did handsome Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard cooperate with police in their investigation of his wife's slaying July 4?
The state contends that he gave them very little help, that his brothers hurried him away to hospital seclusion, that he refused to take a lie detector test and that he later clammed up under police questioning.
Through one of the state's own witnesses, the defense made a strong effort at Dr. Sheppard's murder trial yesterday to knock down that contention.
The witness was Fred Drenkhan, a good-looking police officer from suburban Bay Village, where the murder occurred.
Drenkhan, who appeared to have a mental filing cabinet, had been a good witness for the state. The chief defense attorney, William J. Corrigan, took over on cross-examination.
Hospital Visit
He asked the patrolman if he and two sheriff's deputies hadn't gone to the Bay View Hospital, where Dr. Sheppard was confined, and questioned the osteopath Thursday, four days after the slaying.
"Yes." Drenkhan answered.
"Did anyone interfere in any way?"
"No."
"How long did you question him?"
"Three and a half hours."
"Did he object?"
"No."
"Was he willing to answer all questions?"
"Yes."
"Did he make any objections?"
"No."
"Did you reduce what he said to writing?"
"Yes."
Wanted To Help
Corrigan also asked the witness if Dr. Sheppard hadn't told him he "wanted to help as much as possible because he was interested in the apprehension of the murderer more than anything else in the world."
The patrolman acknowledged that this was so; also that Dr. Sheppard talked with officers the next day and re-enacted his version of the murder night.
The 30-year-old defendant is accused of bludgeoning his wife Marilyn, 31, to death in the bedroom of their lakefront home. Dr. Sheppard claims an unknown intruder committed the crime.
Under further questioning by Corrigan, Drenkhan said he went to Dr. Sheppard's hospital room Jul 4. shortly after the osteopath was taken there and took a photograph of the defendant in bed.
The picture, introduced in evidence by Corrigan, showed Dr. Sheppard with his head thrown back, eyes closed and face puffed.
Injuries Questioned
Dr. Sheppard claims he was injured badly fighting with his wife's slayer. But the state says the injuries consisted of nothing more serious than a black eye and how he got that they don't know.
"You went freely into the room, without interference?" Corrigan asked.
"Yes," Drenkhan replied.
The attorney asked who "welcomed him" and the patrolman said Dr. Stephen Sheppard and Dr. Richard Sheppard, the accused osteopath's brothers.
Corrigan questioned the witness for almost four hours and said he had still further questions to ask Monday when the trial resumes.
Under direct examination, Drenkhan testified that there was no evidence of forced entry to the Sheppard home and there was no sign of a struggle on the beach. Dr. Sheppard says he fought with the slayer in the house and on the beach.
The state contends that he gave them very little help, that his brothers hurried him away to hospital seclusion, that he refused to take a lie detector test and that he later clammed up under police questioning.
Through one of the state's own witnesses, the defense made a strong effort at Dr. Sheppard's murder trial yesterday to knock down that contention.
The witness was Fred Drenkhan, a good-looking police officer from suburban Bay Village, where the murder occurred.
Drenkhan, who appeared to have a mental filing cabinet, had been a good witness for the state. The chief defense attorney, William J. Corrigan, took over on cross-examination.
Hospital Visit
He asked the patrolman if he and two sheriff's deputies hadn't gone to the Bay View Hospital, where Dr. Sheppard was confined, and questioned the osteopath Thursday, four days after the slaying.
"Yes." Drenkhan answered.
"Did anyone interfere in any way?"
"No."
"How long did you question him?"
"Three and a half hours."
"Did he object?"
"No."
"Was he willing to answer all questions?"
"Yes."
"Did he make any objections?"
"No."
"Did you reduce what he said to writing?"
"Yes."
Wanted To Help
Corrigan also asked the witness if Dr. Sheppard hadn't told him he "wanted to help as much as possible because he was interested in the apprehension of the murderer more than anything else in the world."
The patrolman acknowledged that this was so; also that Dr. Sheppard talked with officers the next day and re-enacted his version of the murder night.
The 30-year-old defendant is accused of bludgeoning his wife Marilyn, 31, to death in the bedroom of their lakefront home. Dr. Sheppard claims an unknown intruder committed the crime.
Under further questioning by Corrigan, Drenkhan said he went to Dr. Sheppard's hospital room Jul 4. shortly after the osteopath was taken there and took a photograph of the defendant in bed.
The picture, introduced in evidence by Corrigan, showed Dr. Sheppard with his head thrown back, eyes closed and face puffed.
Injuries Questioned
Dr. Sheppard claims he was injured badly fighting with his wife's slayer. But the state says the injuries consisted of nothing more serious than a black eye and how he got that they don't know.
"You went freely into the room, without interference?" Corrigan asked.
"Yes," Drenkhan replied.
The attorney asked who "welcomed him" and the patrolman said Dr. Stephen Sheppard and Dr. Richard Sheppard, the accused osteopath's brothers.
Corrigan questioned the witness for almost four hours and said he had still further questions to ask Monday when the trial resumes.
Under direct examination, Drenkhan testified that there was no evidence of forced entry to the Sheppard home and there was no sign of a struggle on the beach. Dr. Sheppard says he fought with the slayer in the house and on the beach.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Mystery
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Murder Trial
Dr. Sheppard
Police Questioning
Intruder Claim
Cross Examination
Cooperation
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard
Marilyn Sheppard
Fred Drenkhan
William J. Corrigan
Dr. Stephen Sheppard
Dr. Richard Sheppard
Where did it happen?
Bay Village, Cleveland, Bay View Hospital
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard
Marilyn Sheppard
Fred Drenkhan
William J. Corrigan
Dr. Stephen Sheppard
Dr. Richard Sheppard
Location
Bay Village, Cleveland, Bay View Hospital
Event Date
July 4
Story Details
Defense attorney William J. Corrigan cross-examines police officer Fred Drenkhan to demonstrate Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard's cooperation with investigators in the murder trial for his wife Marilyn's bludgeoning death, countering state claims of non-cooperation; Sheppard claims an unknown intruder committed the crime.