45°
Michael Skakel filed another appeal Monday of 2002 murder conviction, claiming his high-profile attorney, Michael Sherman, was incompetent. Skakel was found guilty of killing his Greenwich neighbor Martha Moxley in 1975.
"I did everything I could to keep Michael Skakel from being convicted and if any court finds something more could be done, I welcome it because I didn't think then nor do I think now, he is guilty of any crime," Sherman said in published reports.
The Kennedy cousin and nephew to Ethel Kennedy said in the appeal at Rockville Superior Court that Sherman had financial problems and did not devote enough money to preparing the case. Sherman also failed to challenge the testimony of state's main witness, the filing said. Skakel, who is seeking a new trial, says Sherman also did a poor job in closing arguments and with jury selection.
Skakel is serving 20 years to life in prison for the murder. It remained a cold case until Skakel was arrested in 2000. Moxley was found beaten to death on her family's property in Belle Haven on Oct. 30, 1975, when both were 15.
Sherman, a Stamford lawyer, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges in June. He failed to pay more than $400,000 in federal income taxes and faces two years in prison. Skakel's new appeal says Sherman mismanaged the costs of experts and investigators so that he could keep as much of the income as possible.
Skakel has lost two appeals before the state Supreme Court. This appeal cites several of the high court's criticisms of Sherman's handling of the case.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
