Michael Skakel sued over Martha Moxley murder investigation
Michael Skakel, cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., filed a lawsuit on January 4, 2024, against the lead police investigator and the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, alleging that key evidence was withheld in the 1975 murder investigation of Martha Moxley. As of February 9, 2026, Skakel, whose 2002 murder conviction was overturned in 2018 and the state declined to retry him in 2020, has broken his silence in a new podcast, alleging "bold-faced lies" and "missing evidence" from the original investigation. His legal team identified a new potential suspect on November 3, 2025, linking evidence to an individual with a history of similar crimes. Skakel served 11 years in prison before his conviction was overturned due to inadequate legal representation.
Timeline
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Track this story2026
2 updates
2026
2 updatesA new podcast titled "Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder" has been released, which re-examines the nearly five-decade-old cold case. The podcast delves into the 1975 bludgeoning death of 15-year-old Martha Moxley in Greenwich, Connecticut.
via youtube.com·youtube.com·youtube.com·youtube.com·youtube.com
Michael Skakel, cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has broken his silence on the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley, alleging "bold-faced lies" and "missing evidence" in the decades-long investigation. Speaking in a new podcast, Skakel specifically mentioned swabs from Moxley's groin area that were allegedly never introduced at trial and later found to be missing. He had previously been convicted of the murder, served 11 years, but his conviction was overturned in 2018 and the state declined to retry him in 2020.
2025
1 update
2025
1 updateLawyers for Michael Skakel have identified a new potential suspect in the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley. Evidence, including hairs found on Moxley's body, is being linked to an individual with a history of similar crimes. Skakel's defense team is investigating this new lead.
via youtube.com
2024
1 update
2024
1 updateMichael Skakel, who was convicted and later had his conviction overturned in the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley, has filed a lawsuit against the lead police investigator and the town of Greenwich, Connecticut. The lawsuit alleges that the investigator withheld key evidence. Skakel served 11 years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2018 and the murder charge was dropped in 2020.
via foxnews.com
2020
1 update
2020
1 updateThe State of Connecticut announces it will not retry Michael Skakel for Martha Moxley's murder, effectively closing the criminal case against him.
2018
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2018
1 updateThe Connecticut Supreme Court reverses its previous decision and overturns Skakel's conviction, ruling that his right to a fair trial was compromised by ineffective legal representation.
2016
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2016
2 updatesA divided Connecticut Supreme Court reinstates Skakel's murder conviction, rejecting the lower court's ruling on inadequate representation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Skakel's cousin, publishes the book "Framed: Why Michael Skakel Spent Over a Decade in Prison for a Murder He Didn't Commit," advocating for Skakel's innocence.
2013
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2013
2 updatesSkakel posts $1.2 million bail and is released from prison after serving 11 years.
A Connecticut judge grants Michael Skakel a new trial, ruling that his original trial attorney provided inadequate representation.
2012
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2012
1 updateSkakel is denied parole by a state parole board, which tells him he could be considered for release again in five years.
2006
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2006
1 updateThe U.S. Supreme Court declines to review Skakel's conviction, rejecting his appeal.
2003
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2003
1 updateTony Bryant, a former classmate of Michael Skakel, tells Skakel's attorneys that two friends confessed to the murder, prompting a request for a new trial.
2002
3 updates
2002
3 updatesSkakel is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for Moxley's murder.
Michael Skakel is convicted of the murder of Martha Moxley.
Michael Skakel's murder trial begins in Norwalk, Connecticut.
2001
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2001
1 updateA judge rules that Michael Skakel should be tried as an adult, allowing for a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison.
2000
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2000
2 updatesMichael Skakel surrenders to police and is charged with Martha Moxley's murder as a juvenile, based on evidence found by the grand jury.
An arrest warrant is issued for Michael Skakel.
1999
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1999
1 updateThe grand jury investigation concludes after hearing testimony from more than 40 witnesses.
1998
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1998
2 updatesFormer Skakel family live-in tutor Kenneth Littleton, an early suspect, is compelled to testify before the grand jury under immunity.
Prosecutors announce that a one-judge grand jury will investigate the murder.
1995
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1995
1 updateA leaked report from a private investigation ordered by Michael Skakel's father points to Michael Skakel, revealing his admission of masturbating in a tree outside Moxley's room on the night of the murder.
1991
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1991
1 updateState's Attorney Donald Browne announces a reinvestigation of the cold case, following a Greenwich Time story based on numerous interviews and police documents.
1975
2 updates
1975
2 updatesMartha Moxley's body is discovered under a tree in her family's backyard.
Martha Moxley, 15, is bludgeoned to death with a golf club in Greenwich, Connecticut, after a night out with friends.
Story began · 51 years, 1 mo ago