New Trial Sought For Skakel

Ap via Hartford Courant ^ | June 13 2002

[2Trievers]

STAMFORD --

The jury that convicted Michael Skakel of murder last week was improperly inflamed by gruesome photos of the victim paired with Skakel's comments to an interviewer, his attorney argued Wednesday.

The verdict should be thrown out and a new trial held, defense lawyer Michael Sherman argued in papers filed in Stamford Superior Court.

"This was a case in which the prosecution used cumulative, graphic and gruesome photographs of the victim to shock and inflame, rather than to inform," Sherman wrote. "It was a case in which the prosecution sought maximum dramatic effect, dazzling the jury not with reliable evidence, but with high-tech graphics and conscience-shocking audiovisual juxtapositions."

Sherman also objected to jury instructions and the admission of incriminating statements Skakel allegedly made over the years.

Skakel, 41, was convicted Friday of beating Martha Moxley to death with a golf club in 1975. Skakel faces 10 years to life in prison.

[csvset]

...used cumulative, graphic and gruesome photographs of the victim to shock and inflame, rather than to inform,"

Look here Michael "McFly" Sherman, it was a murder case. The jurists were shown crime scene photos.

[Utopia]

"This was a case in which the prosecution used cumulative, graphic and gruesome photographs of the victim to shock and inflame, rather than to inform," Sherman wrote.

Remind me again Sherman, why didn't Michael Skakel take the stand?

I read this a very token attempt to lodge an appeal.

[Paradox]

Inflame? How about Inform? Sounds like they were very well informed to me..

[2Trievers]

Shermie has to go through the motions, but he knows there's a McFly in his soup ... &;-)

[vrwinger]

MY GOD! They... They... They PRESENTED EVIDENCE against his client! What were they thinking? A new trial is most certainly in order...

(In case your not sure, </sarcasm>)

[cynicom]

Perhaps the prosecution should have shown more pastoral pictures, such as the Skakel estate, pictures of their famous relatives, maybe even bank accounts. Surely the state failed to show "who Skakel was". The old, "Do you know who I am", syndrome, failed this person, so far.

[LoneGOPinCT]

Shermie has to go through the motions, but he knows there's a McFly in his soup

More like a frantic attempt to save his practice. Two huge convictions in high-profile cases have to hurt. First Alex "The Preppie Rapist" and now Michael "The Preppie Murderer". Who wants to be the next "Preppie < insert heinous crime here >"? Although, I'm sure there are enough dummies who will buy into his argument and continue to throw big money his way in their defense.

[GeorgeHL]

Lucky for OJ he didn't have this incompetent bum as his lawyer. He'd be sitting on Death Row where he belongs!

[Mo1]

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[LoneGOPinCT]

Lucky for OJ he didn't have this incompetent bum as his lawyer. He'd be sitting on Death Row where he belongs!

He was just lucky that the prosecution was far more incompetent than his own lawyers! :^)