The Ghosts Of Greenwich

Kennedy Cousin Michael Skakel's Bid For A New Trial After His Murder Conviction

(CBS)  "We decided to go up to Greenwich and hang out…I've got my caveman club and I’m going to grab somebody and pull them by the hair and do what cavemen do," recalls Tony Bryant, about what his friends said to him the night Martha Moxley was murdered in Greenwich, Conn. in 1975.

Bryant told his story from that night during a taped interview requested by Michael Skakel's defense team, including his cousin Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., which was presented at a seven day hearing to reopen the case. Bryant is a cousin of basketball star Kobe Bryant.

48 Hours Mystery takes a look at this explosive video and the other recent developments in Michael Skakel’s appeals to overturn his conviction.

On Oct. 31, 1975 a fifteen-year-old Martha Moxley was found murdered on her family’s property. She had been beaten to death with a golf club. It remained a cold case for more than 20 years until 2000, when Kennedy cousin and long-time suspect Michael Skakel was arrested. At his trial in 2002, Skakel claimed to have been at his cousin’s house at the time of the murder, but the jury did not believe his testimony. He was convicted of Moxley’s murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Led by Michael’s brother Stephen and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Skakel family continues to claim Michael is innocent, and that his conviction was the result of an overzealous prosecution. Kennedy in particular believes "somebody decided that - a Skakel was gonna go to jail."

48 Hours Mystery will reexamine the case, including the Tony Bryant video, where when asked if he believes his friends killed Martha Moxley he says, "I think they were definitely involved…there is no doubt in my mind they were involved." Will this evidence be enough to reopen the case?

Watch the full broadcast below:


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[bonker4]

I really get sick of all the racism, O J got away with murder because mark furhman used the N word, thats a joke, everyone has used it at some point in there life, now this case is messed up because he''s involved, when will are government step in and stop the lawyer''s from useing the race card to get murder''s off.

[bigtodds]

I to, out of respect to the website will end this debate. I''am not a Kennedy/Skakel hater. I have never said I''am a Mark Furhman supporter. I used his book as one of the resources in informing myself about this murder. If anything I feel compassion for Dorothy Moxley who has waited 30 years for justice.
So I support her. She for 30 years has been treated unfairly by Greenwich Police, D.A.''s etc. I respect her for never giving up on her daughter''s memory.
Skakel, Kennedy, Furhman are just names, I''m a parent,
so the only name that matters is Martha Moxley. The evidence is overwhelming towards Michael Skakel. Enjoy those three hots and a cot. I''m out.

[smallodds]

out of respect to this website i''m not going to get into it with the kennedy/skakel haters or whatever you want to call yourselves. you currently have what you want, but eventually the real truth with come out & an innocent man will be let out. there are small odds otherwise-thus the name of this login name

[bigtodds]

I guess we''ll check with you on who can have involvement in the Moxley murder. I''m sure Dorothy Moxley who waited years and years for justice was really upset with Mark Furhman''s involvement. Your not kidding, your just a joke.

[smallodds]

are you kidding me? do we really need to disprove furball. he''s a proven racist & perjurer. his involvement in the case was not welcome.

[bigtodds]

response to bulls113:

Whether you dislike Mark Furhman or not , his book on this case is a big reason why Michael Skakel was foung guilty.

So here is your what ifs:
Michael Skakel by his own words puts himself at or near the crime scene.
Skakel also gives information about the golf club sticking out of Martha''s chest. Only the killer or someone at the scene would know this.
Skakel also tells two fellow students at Elan School he killed Martha.

Rushton Skakel hired private investigators to try and clear his family, it backfired. All this information I just gave you comes from their report. They stopped their investigation and had it sealed.

One last item, I know the O.J. case very well, you don''t. Furhman was not the lead investigator on the case. Phillip Vanatter and Tom Lange coordinated the investigation. Furhman responded to the call the night the murder happened. He gave his notes to Vanatter and was asked to go with them to O.J.''s house. After that he did not participate in the investigation. If you want to blame someone for O.J. getting away with murder start with Marcia Clark.

[Netterz]

Thru the time of the Kennedy''s, havent they always done well at making those people that threatened there empire, and political aspirations disappear? The bodies always turn up public, quickly, and blame has always been placed elsewhere. We know of atleast 3 women involved with them, have died of more than questionable circumstances. I would guess there are more, just well hid. When anything happens in that family, it is never a suprise. A few more of them should be locked up... but they have been god at escaping justice. It pays off to have friends in high places,

[bulls113]

Too many "what if''s", circumstantial evidence and reasonable doubt in my mind for this man to serve 20 to life...

If you''re counting on Furball''s research to make sense, perhaps you need to check his thorough investigation during the OJ trial?

[smallodds]

jonathon benedict is certainly no pope benedict

[lola6868]

bigtodds

He never claimed to have seen Martha, second it was dark outside, & third the body was dragged several feet & covered with shrub. What about fingerprints & DNA evidence it wouldn''t cost much to run the test on the other suspects?

[bigtodds]

If Martha''s time of death was 10:30 P.M. and Michael Skakel, by his own admission, was ************ in a tree outside of Martha''s room at 12:30 A.M., wouldn''t he have seen Martha''s body. Does this mean he didn''t report it to police, or here is a news flash he is the killer. Seems to me he and Ted Kennedy or more related than they think. Thanks to Mark Furhman''s book Michael Skakel is where he belongs, behind bars.
By the way don''t be fooled that the Skakel''s are just getting by, at the time of the murder they were one of the richest families in the U.S. Instead of spending it on Michael''s defense they should try investing it.