Read the Supreme Court’s decision in Sheppard v. Maxwell (1966), which can be found online via an Internet search.

Write a 700-word response to the following questions:

• What particular errors were made by law enforcement and judicial officials in this case?
• How did this case make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court?
• On what basis did the Supreme Court throw out Sheppard’s conviction?
• How did this case affect police practices today with regard to crime scene investigation and preservation of evidence?
• What steps should trial judges take to protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial when in a sensational case characterized by extensive media coverage?