Nation IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Witness Contradicts Kennedy Statement

A witness’ statement in the rape case against William Kennedy Smith appears to contradict what Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) told police. In a sworn statement, Steven M. Scott said that he saw Kennedy and Smith at a Palm Beach, Fla., restaurant March 31, Easter Sunday, and heard Kennedy say: “. . . and she’ll say it’s rape.” Scott said that he was unable to tell the context of the remark or whether Kennedy was asking a question or making a statement. In his statement, Kennedy said that he left Palm Beach Sunday thinking that the case involved sexual harassment. Smith has pleaded not guilty.