Jailed 11 years for murder, Kennedy cousin could be freed on bail

By Richard Weizel

MILFORD, Connecticut (Reuters) - Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel could walk out of Stamford Superior Court a free man on Thursday after spending the past 11 years in prison for the 1975 murder of a teenage neighbor in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Prosecutors said their only option on Thursday will be to argue the conditions of Skakel's release as he awaits a new trial for the murder of Martha Moxley. Both were 15 at the time, but Skakel was not convicted of the crime until 2002 and was denied a request to be tried as a juvenile.

Bridgeport State's Attorney John Smriga said prosecutors are appealing a judge's decision last month to overturn the conviction, but all they can do at Thursday's hearing is present their request for conditions of bail.

"The appeal of the judge's decision overturning the conviction is proceeding, but there is no ability for us to challenge his (Skakel's) release on bond Thursday," Smriga said. "We can only argue the bond amount we believe is appropriate and for other conditions."

He declined to elaborate.

Skakel, the nephew of Ethel Kennedy and slain U.S. senator Robert Kennedy, was granted a new trial by Superior Court Judge Thomas Bishop in Rockville, Connecticut.

The judge also allowed Skakel to seek bond in Connecticut's Stamford Superior Court, where he was convicted in 2002.

Bishop overturned Skakel's murder conviction for bludgeoning Moxley to death with a golf club, and decided three weeks ago to allow the 53-year-old to seek bail. There were other suspects in the case, in which Moxley's body was dumped on her parents' lawn.

Bishop ruled Skakel had an inadequate defense at his first trial and criticized his former lawyer, Michael Sherman, for his "glaring ineffectiveness."

Skakel's current attorney, Hubert Santos, has requested his client be released on $500,000 bond.

(Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)

Crime & JusticeSociety & CultureMartha MoxleyEthel Kennedy
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