No verdict in 2nd day of Skakel trial

NORWALK, Conn., June 5 (UPI) -- The jury deliberating the fate of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel wound up a second day of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict as to his guilt or innocence in the 1975 slaying of neighbor Martha Moxley, and will resume deliberations on Thursday.

The jury of six men and six women deliberated for about six hours on Tuesday.

Skakel, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of Moxley on Oct. 30, 1975, when they were 15-year-old neighbors in Greenwich, Conn.

The jurors are reviewing the testimony of 51 witnesses and more than 100 exhibits presented over 16 days.

On Wednesday they asked to have the testimony of six prosecution witnesses read to them, including that of Skakel's older sister Julie and her friend, Andrea Shakespeare Renna. They had testified regarding the time line when Skakel claimed to have been elsewhere at the time Moxley is believed to have been killed.

Skakel's older brother, Tom Skakel, showed up at the courthouse Wednesday for the first time to show support for his brother. He said he did not come earlier because he did not want to become a distraction.

Tom Skakel, at one point early in the investigation eyed as a possible suspect in the crime, did not testify at the trial. In the courtroom, he gave his brother a hug.

Skakel, Ethel Kennedy's nephew, faced a sentence of from 10 years to life if the jury finds him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he will immediately be taken into custody.

Skakel did not appear nervous Tuesday during deliberations, and actually helped to calm down his attorney, Michael Sherman.

"It's OK," he whispered to Sherman after the judge sent the jurors home for the evening. "Don't worry about it."

Sherman said Skakel "spent most of his time...consoling me because I'm so nervous."

"How's Michael coping?" Sherman was asked.

"A lot better than I am," Sherman replied.

State's Attorney Jonathan Benedict appeared upbeat.

"The fact that the jury is still deliberating means they certainly haven't rejected our case," Benedict said. "The longer they think on the case, the better off we think we are."

Dorthy Moxley, the victim's mother, said outside the courthouse that she was prepared for whatever verdict is rendered.

"I will accept it, no matter what," she said.