Entry 10

Kennedy relative Michael Skakel denied parole

CNN, October 24, 2012
http://us.cnn.com/2012/10/24/justice/connecticut-michael-skakel-parole/index.html?hpt=ju_t4

Summary

Michael Skakel, the nephew of Robert F. Kennedy, is denied the parole after serving 10 years in prison for murdering Martha Moxley with gold club in 1975. Killed her during adolescence, Skakel lately get tried for conviction and sentenced imprisonment for his crime. Dorothy, the mother of Martha Moxley, claimed that Skakel must be imprisoned for at least 20 years, and John Moxley left a remark about him "representative of the most dangerous aspect of our society" in his letter to call for the denial of Skakel's parole. In contrast to the opinions of Moxleys, several witnesses describe Skakel religious person. Moreover Robert Kennedy Jr.described him as a kind and religiously devoted person who cannot commit such a heinous crime, and his attorney Hope Seeley also portrays him a concerning and generous figure who commit himself to God. She added if the trial was held during his juvenile years, he would receive only four years imprisonment, so it is enough for him to be imprisoned for 10 years and he deserves parole. As Moxleys and witnesses are having different view on Skakel, his parole is ultimately rejected.

My Opinion

Even though he is showing good moral character today, it is undeniable that he committed the crime.  And the most serious moral depravity is shown by the fact that he did not turn himself to police for 27 years after he committed crime. For the most part, it is dangerous to justify that he is a good person who will not commit crime in the future. The primary reason that he receive much longer sentence than 4 years is that he did not confess his sin for 27 years and tried to conceal his crime. Who knows that all of his benevolence and good deed were actually affected behaviors to cover his evil nature? Even though the Moxleys' reaction is quite exaggerated, I also agree with Moxleys that his wrongdoing must be punished harshly, and it is too early to be paroled for good moral character.