Key Events in Case

Here is a chronology of events in the William Kennedy Smith case:

April 1, 1991: Palm Beach police report that a woman said she was sexually assaulted at the Kennedy compound at 4 a.m. on March 30.

April 3: A spokesman for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) says he was with his family in Palm Beach over the Easter weekend but had nothing to do with the incident. His son, Patrick Kennedy, and nephew, William Kennedy Smith, deny any wrongdoing.

April 6: The 29-year-old woman told police she gave Smith a ride from the trendy Au Bar to the Kennedy compound, where she was assaulted, according to news reports.

April 7: Sen. Kennedy is questioned by police. Smith declines to be questioned but agrees to turn over hair and blood samples.

April 12: According to a police account, the woman who accused Smith of raping her said he tackled her at poolside in the family compound and “forcibly, sexually battered” her.

May 9: Smith is charged with two counts: second-degree sexual battery and second-degree battery. He later pleads innocent.

July 23: Prosecutors release statements of a woman who says Smith sexually assaulted her in Washington three years ago and two others who say he tried to rape them.

Dec. 2: Trial begins. Prosecutor claims woman was raped. Defense says it was consensual “act of love.”

Dec. 4: Accuser tells of being pursued by Smith across the lawn, tackled, slammed to the ground and raped.

Dec. 5: Defense says she is a woman scorned who was vengeful when Smith treated her coldly after sex.

Dec. 6: Sen. Kennedy testifies about his visit to Au Bar with his nephew and his son sometime after 11:30 p.m. on March 29.

Dec. 10: Smith testifies that his accuser is a sexually voracious woman who seduced him into sex twice in half an hour.

Dec. 11: After summations, the case is submitted to the jury. The jury deliberates less than two hours and acquits Smith.