Michael Skakel, a nephew of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, will go to trial on Tuesday to try to get his 2002 murder conviction overturned by arguing his trial attorney failed to competently defend him.
Skakel is serving 20 years to life for the 1975 golf club bludgeoning of his Greenwich neighbor, Martha Moxley, in 1975, when they were 15 years old.
The trial, which starts on Tuesday in Rockville Superior Court, is Skakel’s latest appeal and the trial is reigniting a debate over the strength of the evidence in the sensational case.
Skakel's current attorney, Hubert Santos, argues that Skakel's conviction is based on two witnesses of dubious credibility who claimed Skakel confessed.
Prosecutors said Skakel's conviction came after more than a dozen witnesses testified he made incriminating statements, including three direct confessions.
Skakel was denied parole in October. http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/Parole-Hearing-Scheduled-for-Skakel-171026531.html
In March 2012, Skakel lost his bid to shorten his prison sentence.
Skakel Blames Lawyer in Latest Murder Appeal
Copyright AP - Associated Press
