Kennedy Relative Skakel's Lawsuits After Murder Conviction Overturned

In 2012, Michael Skakel was pictured at the McDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, Connecticut, after his request.Photo byJessica Hill/Hartford Courant/MCT/TNS/Getty Images

In 2023, Michael Skakel, previously convicted in the 1975 death of Martha Moxley, filed lawsuits against the lead police investigator and the town of Greenwich. These lawsuits allege malicious prosecution, constitutional rights violation, and other claims stemming from his wrongful murder conviction, which was overturned in 2018. Skakel's attorney, Stephan Seeger, highlighted the irreparable time and personal toll his client endured during the ordeal, expressing that recourse for wrongfully convicted individuals often lies within the judicial system.

The case dates back to Moxley's tragic death after an evening of partying with Skakel and other teenagers. While Skakel had long been a suspect, he didn't face trial until 2002, when he received a 20-year to life sentence. However, his conviction was vacated in 2018 due to inadequate legal representation. He spent over 11 years in jail before his release on bond in 2013.

The lawsuits bring to light allegations of missing audiotapes and claims of witness intimidation and evidence concealment. One lawsuit concerns a set of audiotapes used against Skakel during his trial, alleging that the lead investigator, Frank Garr, wrongfully obtained and withheld these materials related to Skakel's book. The revised complaint accuses authorities of unlawfully seizing these tapes, which were subsequently used in the prosecution's case, yet their current whereabouts are unknown.

Another lawsuit filed in November 2023 accuses authorities of deliberately withholding evidence, including a sketch of another suspect resembling the crime scene. This lawsuit claims that Garr threatened witnesses to secure Skakel's conviction and aimed to profit from book and movie deals related to the case. It also alleges the intentional suppression of defense-favorable evidence, such as reports and statements that could have supported Skakel's innocence.

These legal actions seek compensatory and punitive damages and highlight aspects of the case that were overshadowed by its high-profile nature, focusing on the alleged misconduct and concealed exonerating evidence during Skakel's trial.