Indictment of Kennedy Friend Rejected for Lack of Evidence
A grand jury on Thursday declined to indict a Kennedy family friend who police claimed had misled them when they went to investigate rape allegations at the Kennedy estate.
The grand jury, which heard secret testimony from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) last August, indicated that there was not enough evidence.
“Without any new evidence coming forward, this case is over,” State Atty. David Bludworth said.
William Barry, a close friend and bodyguard for the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was identified as the target of the grand jury probe. He had denied intentionally misleading police.
Palm Beach police contended that Barry misled them when they went to the estate on March 31 and asked to see the senator and his nephew, William Kennedy Smith. Smith left Palm Beach later that day and Kennedy the next day without talking to police.
Smith was later charged with raping Patricia Bowman at the estate on March 30, but a jury last week acquitted him.
After hearing of the grand jury’s decision, Barry said: “It is good news, which I receive with great relief and thankfulness for the Christmas season. . . .
“The jury system worked for William Smith and thank God, it worked for me,” said Barry, 64, a former FBI agent who is now a security consultant.
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