Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Skakel Murder Trial Nearing New Phase

Aired May 29, 2002 - 12:35   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In Connecticut, the murder trial of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel heads for a new phase.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick keeping a watch outside the court in Norwalk to tell us more about it -- Deb.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, a couple of rebuttal witnesses on the stand, the first to testify, Julie Skakel, Michael Skakel's brother (sic).

Now, she testified that Martha Moxley stopped by the family home before the family went to dinner and then again later. Julie Skakel and a friend were in the kitchen having a cup of tea when she says somebody ran by the window. She yelled out, "Michael." The person did not respond. And she could not recall on the stand why she thought it was Michael.

Now, shortly after that, she drove her friend home. As she walking back to go to her home, she said, again, a person ran in front of her carrying what appeared to be a bundle. Well, at that point, prosecutors held up a golf club and said, "Are you sure it was not something long and shiny?" Julie Skakel said, "No."

Now, she also testified that, when she did go outside to take her friend home, she couldn't remember whether there were any cars in the driveway. That is potentially important, because it goes to the timing of all of this. If she left afterwards, it means her brothers had already left to take their cousin, James Dowdle, home.

The question is: Who left and who stayed behind? Michael Skakel has said that he was with his brothers taking the cousin home. But, again, Julie Skakel's testimony seems to place him at the family home later than he said he was there -- so, again, some important information.

And Julie Skakel tried several times, looking at her brother, almost searching out his eyes. He did not look at her. He was at the defense table writing notes and also speaking to his lawyer. His lawyer says not to make much out of that. He has been warned by the judge not to be too animated or make contact with some of the witnesses, who, in the past, he has been a bit too friendly with, according to prosecutors -- Carol.

LIN: Boy, that's a tough one. Thank you very much, Deborah Feyerick, reporting live from Norwalk, Connecticut.

We are expecting that Skakel trial to go to the jury some time this week.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com