A relative of Robert F. Kennedy was arraigned yesterday on murder charges in the 1975 death of his 15-year-old neighbour in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Mr Michael Skakel (39) was also 15 when the alleged crime took place and will initially be treated as a juvenile. He is charged in the killing of Martha Moxley, who was bludgeoned to death with a golf club which was later found to belong to a set owned by the Skakel family.
Mr Skakel, of Hobe Sound, Florida, was not asked to enter a plea yesterday. Judge Maureen Dennis set a June 20th court date to determine whether there is "reasonable cause" to believe he murdered the girl.
Mr Skakel is the nephew of Ms Ethel Skakel Kennedy, Robert Kennedy's widow.