Sheppard v. maxwell, 384 u.s. 333 (1966) & williams v. florida 399 u.s. 78
Importance of the Case The US Supreme Court made the strongest statement supporting the right of the defendant to a jury that was not biased by prejudicial pre-trial publicity. Reasoning The US Supreme Court decried the absence of decorum in the trial court, and the free reign given to the press during the hearing.