Connecticut

State Supreme Court Issues Updated Skakel Ruling

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Monday that Michael Skakel's 2002 murder conviction will stand in the killing of a girl in 1975 when they were teenage neighbors in a wealthy Greenwich neighborhood.

The state court originally released its decision in December, reinstating the murder conviction against Skakel in the bludgeoning of 15-year-old Martha Moxley and released a final, edited version of that decision Monday.

Skakel's attorney's filed a motion to reconsider after the court's 4-3 ruling in December. A lower court overturned the 2002 conviction, citing mistakes made by Skakel's trial lawyer.

The justices could still rule on the motion to reconsider, according to a court spokesperson. 

Skakel's attorney, Hubert Santos, also said the motion to reconsider has not been decided.

Among arguments by Skakel's appellate lawyers were that trial lawyer Michael Sherman failed to argue Skakel's brother could have been the killer. 

Skakel, a nephew of Robert F. Kennedy's widow, Ethel, was serving 20 years to life in prison when he was freed after the 2013 ruling.

Santos said his client remains free and there is no new trial date

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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