Nation IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : John Kennedy Jr. Visits Smith Trial

John F. Kennedy Jr. joined his cousin, William Kennedy Smith, in a West Palm Beach, Fla., courtroom as jury selection for Smith’s rape trial continued. Kennedy, who drew scores of onlookers as he headed out of the courthouse at lunchtime, became the latest Smith relative to visit the proceedings. Now an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, the son of President John F. Kennedy said his appearance was not an attempt to influence the case. “That really wasn’t the intention,” he said. “William is my cousin, and we grew up together. . . . I thought I could at least come down and be with him during some difficult times.”