Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Today legal counsel for Michael Skakel appeals his conviction to the Connecticut Supreme Court. Skakel was found guilty in 2002 of killing Martha Moxley in Greenwich, CT, in 1975 when both of them were fifteen years old. According to news reports the appeal will be based on two arguments; one, that Connecticut law in 1975 set a five year limitation on the prosecution of other than capital cases (Skakel did not face the death penalty at his trial) and two, that Skakel's case should not have been transferred from Juvenile to Superior Court even though he was an adult when the trial took place.

The murder of Martha Moxley went unsolved for more than twenty five years. Several books have been written about the case, including Greentown by Timothy Dumas; Murder in Greenwich by Mark Fuhrman; and Conviction: Solving the Moxley Murder by Leonard Levitt. Dominick Dunne has written about this case as has Dr. Henry Lee. It has also been featured over the years on some "unsolved mystery" type programs on television.

Yikes, is that thing still going on? I read the books
about it, hasn't he already lived a life of hell since
age 15? The case is sad, poor Martha's mother. and looks like the Kennedy money hasn't gotten him anywhere huh?

His appeal is to be argued today? That would be a fascinating proceeding to watch for sure! I've read the defense brief (I believe it was the one filed in November, 2003) and it does make some interesting points, irrespective of which side of the fence we sit on as to innocence.

If you're horribly bored (or disenchanted with washing the cat) these and other related documents may be found at http://www.courttv.com/trials/moxley/

The Skakel family is wealthy in its own right though not as well known to the general public as the Kennedys. Michael Skakel's father, Rushton, was a brother of Ethel Kennedy (Mrs. Robert F.).

I was not aware of the Court TV website. It appears to have a wealth of information available. Thanks for posting the link, doug65oh.

Sa'right.

Transcripts of the Probable Cause hearings before Judge Dennis are also out there, and may be found at http://www.marthamoxley.com/transcripts/index.htm

There's also an additional transcript of a "transfer hearing" held 20 October 2000, but I've forgotten at the moment where I found that. (I have a copy though.)

I have here the Fuhrman book, Muder in Greenwich, but it's due at the library in 3 days. I recently finished the Fuhrman book, Murder in Brentwood, which was very good.
I didn't know an appeal was due at this time.
I've read all the Dominick Dunne on the case.
I'll try to read it starting tonight. Thanks you guys for the info!