Sides Wrangle Over Location of Skakel Trial

Prosecutors in the murder trial of Kennedy nephew Michael Skakel want to move the case to the working-class city of Bridgeport, whereas the defense wants to keep it near the wealthy community of Greenwich, where the crime took place.

Skakel, a nephew of Robert F. Kennedy, is charged with bludgeoning to death his neighbor Martha Moxley in 1975 in the exclusive gated community where they lived. Skakel and the victim were 15 at the time.

Last week, Judge Maureen Dennis ruled that Skakel, now 40, should be tried as an adult, which means he could get up to life in prison. The judge also said the case should be tried in Stamford, which borders Greenwich. Stamford is the seat of the judicial district that includes Greenwich.

But prosecutor Jonathan Benedict asked in court papers Thursday that the case be moved to Bridgeport. Benedict argued that since the crime was committed in 1975, the law in effect then should be used. In 1975, all major crimes in the area were handled in Bridgeport. That changed in 1981.

Skakel’s lawyer, Michael Sherman, said he will vehemently oppose moving the trial to Bridgeport.

“They’re going beyond the concept of fairness here--way beyond. The crime occurred in Greenwich. He should be tried here, not in the state’s attorney’s backyard,” Sherman said.

Sherman would not discuss the demographics of either location Friday.

Some defense attorneys believe Skakel would be much better off facing trial in Stamford, where the jury pool would include people from the wealthy surrounding communities of Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien--places where people may be able to identify with Skakel’s wealth and privilege.

“In Stamford, you are going to get a jury that’s closer to Skakel’s background, versus Bridgeport, where you’re going to get more of an inner-city jury pool,” said Hartford lawyer Joseph Moniz. “You clearly get a different jury panel in the two areas, and I’m sure that’s behind each side’s desire to have it either in Stamford or Bridgeport.”

No date has been set for Skakel’s trial or a hearing on the request to move the case.