52-year-old Michael Skakel, the nephew of Robert F. Kennedy's widow Ethel Kennedy, was granted a new trial on Wednesday by Judge Thomas Thmas Bishop, who ruled the defendant's previous attorney failed to adequately represent him when he was convicted of killing his teenage neighbor Martha Moxley in 1975, as reported by The Associated Press.
Skakel was convicted in 2002 and is serving 20 years to life for Moxley's murder.The overturned decision by Judge Thomas represents a stark reversal after years of unsuccessful attempts by Skakel's legal team.
"We're very, very thrilled. I always felt that Michael was innocent," said Hubert Santos, Skakel's present day attorney. Santos said that he expects to file a motion for bail Thursday, and if the judge approves it, his client could post bond and be released from prison, The AP also reported.
Skakel was convicted of bludgeoning Moxley when they were both 15 in Greewich, Connecticut in an unsolved murder case, which has perplexed legal experts for almost four decades.
Santos contended that Sherman was "too enamored with the media attention to focusing on the defense," adding that the "prosecutors' case rested entirely on two witnesses of dubious credibility who came forward with stories of confessions after 20 years and the announcement of a reward," The AP also reported.
It was Santos's contention that Sherman "failed to obtain or present evidence against earlier suspects, failed to sufficiently challenge the state's star witness and other testimony and made risky jury picks including a police officer," as reported by The AP.
John Moxley, the victim's brother, "I don't care if it was Perry Mason. The state had the evidence. It was his own words and deeds that led to the conviction."
Long maintaining his innocence, Skakel was denied parole last year, and had been told he would not be eligible again to be considered for release for five years.
