Did Michael Skakel, the Kennedy cousin, really get a fair shot in the decades-old Martha Moxley murder case?
Decades-Old Conviction Overturned
Michael Skakel was convicted in 2002 for the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley, a case that gripped the nation due to its connection to the Kennedy family. Moxley, who was Skakel’s neighbor, was found dead in her family’s backyard in Greenwich, Connecticut. Both were only 15 at the time. The conviction was overturned in 2008 when the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that Skakel’s lawyer had failed to present an alibi.
Despite serving 11 years behind bars, Skakel was relieved of a retrial in 2020 when a state prosecutor decided not to pursue the case further. Skakel has since maintained his innocence and expressed frustration over his portrayal as a convenient scapegoat in NBC’s podcast “Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder.” His attorney, Stephan Seeger, recently reiterated that Skakel did not murder Moxley and suggested that Skakel was wrongfully convicted.
Robert Kennedy Jr has a heated discussion with now infamous, Jeffrey Toubin ( who was caught masturbating on a live Zoom call by his coworkers) about Kennedy's nephew.
The Michael Skakel case, centered around the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley in Greenwich, Connecticut, has been… pic.twitter.com/cjiotbi1dW
— BiffBifford™ 🇺🇸 (@TBifford) August 28, 2024
Legal Battles and Civil Rights Claims
Currently, Skakel is embroiled in a civil rights lawsuit against the lead police investigator and the town of Greenwich. His attorney claims that tapes allegedly containing confessions, which could prove Skakel’s innocence, have mysteriously vanished. Seeger rebukes suggestions that Skakel received favorable treatment due to his Kennedy ties, pointing out that such influence would unlikely lead to an 11-year prison sentence. He argues that Skakel’s friendship with Moxley and the lack of concrete evidence against him further support his innocence.
Seeger’s assertions challenge the narrative that Skakel’s conviction was influenced by his family’s prominence. He argues that if Skakel truly had the advantages assumed due to his Kennedy connections, he wouldn’t have served over a decade in prison. This perception of privilege, Seeger suggests, is a distraction from the lack of substantial evidence that should have secured Skakel’s freedom much earlier.
As you all know Michael Skakel has been a client of mine for decades. I am proud to rep him and appear in this podcast by Andrew Goldman on behalf of Michael Skakel. You can also see a sneak preview in this Rolling Stone article https://t.co/RoMELVNybN https://t.co/tB77GAkikx
— Linda Kenney Baden (she/her) (@KenneyBaden) October 29, 2025
The Quest for Justice and Closure
The ongoing legal saga points to a broader issue in the American justice system: the struggle between public perception and judicial fairness. Skakel’s case remains a high-profile example of how media narratives and public opinion can cloud the pursuit of justice. For Skakel, clearing his name is not just about personal redemption but also about restoring faith in a system that many believe is skewed by wealth and power.
The disappearance of crucial evidence and the persistence of public doubt serve as reminders of the complexities involved in revisiting decades-old cases. As Skakel continues his legal battle, the question remains whether justice will ever truly be served for both him and the late Martha Moxley. With each new development, the case underscores the importance of a fair trial, free from the biases of fame and fortune.
Oct. 30 will mark 50 years since the night 14 year-old Martha Moxley was murdered.
Her next door neighbor, Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel served 11 years of a life sentence for her killing.
RFK Jr. helped to get his cousin out of prison.
There is still no justice forMartha. pic.twitter.com/yxdEnRfzyj
— Lori Spencer (@RealLoriSpencer) October 24, 2025