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CNN Live Today

Skakel's Defense Continues Its Case Today

Aired May 24, 2002 - 12:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the mysterious murder of Martha Moxley. Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel is on trial for the killing. Skakel's defense continues its case today, after testimony yesterday from a Kennedy babysitter.

Our Deborah Feyerick is live from Norwalk, Connecticut with the latest.

Hi there, Deborah.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Fredricka.

Well the defense is calling back a woman who has already testified for the prosecution. Andrea (UNINTELLIGIBLE) had punched a hole in Michael Skakel's alibi. He had said he was miles away at a cousin's house at about the time Martha Moxley was killed. But she said, "no," that he never left the Skakel home; that he was in the area the whole time.

The defense is calling her back. The prosecutors objected, saying they did not want this to turn into just an extended cross- examination. But the defense says, you know, this is my case. The judge basically said you can call her, but I am going to limit the questions.

Now really what the testimony if the last day and a half has boiled down to is, who is telling the truth? Is it the classmates who apparently heard Michael Skakel confess to this murder? One of whom said that he heard Michael Skakel say, "I did it." Or, is it the classmates who are being called by the defense? Four of whom say that, no, Michael Skakel never confessed no matter how badly he was beaten.

Well, some of the most powerful testimony came when the jury was out of the court, and it concerns a classmate by the name of John Higgins. A witness testified, a woman by the name of Andrea McFillin (ph), that John Higgins was an opportunist. Somebody that would embellish the truth, make himself look better by making others look worse. And they're trying to knock down his credibility. So that's what's going on here now -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much. Deborah Feyerick in Norwalk, Connecticut.

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