| Aug 26 @ 10:31 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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indecipherable
Posts: 546
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http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKkopechne.htm
He should have gone to jail. That he was allowed to serve as a senator for so long is one of the biggest injustices of the past half century. It's not even the incident itself, but the ways in which Ted tried to cover it up that made it so awful. Perhaps the Kopechne family can finally have some closure.
[Edited on 8/26/2009 10:53 AM]
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| Aug 26 @ 12:18 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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 ....... no class....
..this topic has been talked about far too many times...to where anyone who brings it up is primarily guilty of only perpetuating a personal vendetta...
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Mary Jo Kopechne (July 26, 1940 – July 18, 1969) was an American teacher, secretary and political campaign specialist who died in a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island while being driven by United States Senator Ted Kennedy.
...Life
Kopechne, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,[1] was the only child of insurance salesman Joseph Kopechne and his wife, Gwen.[1] The family moved to New Jersey when she was an infant.[1] She attended parochial schools growing up.[2]
After graduating with a degree in business administration from Caldwell College for Women in New Jersey in 1962,[1][3] Kopechne moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to teach for a year at the Mission of St. Jude[1] as part of the Civil Rights Movement.[4] In 1963, she moved to Washington, D.C., to work as secretary to Florida Senator George Smathers.[1] Kopechne joined New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy's secretarial staff, following his election in 1964.[1] There she worked as a secretary to the senator's speechwriters and as a legal secretary to one of his legal advisers.[1] Kopechne was a loyal and tireless worker for Robert Kennedy, in March 1967 having stayed up all night at his Hickory Hill home to type a major speech against the Vietnam War as the senator and his aides such as Ted Sorenson made last-minute changes to it.[2][5][6]
During the 1968 U.S. presidential election, she helped with the wording of Robert Kennedy's March 1968 speech announcing his candidacy.[2] During his campaign, she worked as one of the "Boiler Room Girls", an affectionate name given to six young women who worked from a central, windowless location in Kennedy's Washington campaign headquarters.[2][5][7] They were vital in tracking and compiling data and intelligence on how Democratic delegates from various states were intending to vote; Kopechne's responsibilities included Pennsylvania.[5][7] Kopechne and the other staffers were politically savvy; they talked daily with field managers and also served as conduits for policy statements being distributed to strategically-located newspapers.[7]
Kopechne was devastated by the June 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy and could not return to work on Capitol Hill.[5] However, as her father later said, "Politics was her life,"[5] and in December 1968 she used her expertise to gain a job with Matt Reese Associates, a Washington, D.C., firm that helped establish campaign headquarters and field offices for politicians and was one of the first political consulting firms.[1][4][8] She was on her way to a successful professional career.[9]
She lived in the Georgetown neighborhood with three other women.[1] She was a devout Roman Catholic with a demure, serious personality, rarely drank much, and had no reputation for extramarital activities with men.[8][9]
Death
Main article: Chappaquiddick incident
On July 18, 1969, Kopechne attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island, off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, held in honor of the Boiler Room Girls. It was the fourth such reunion of the Robert Kennedy campaign workers.[10]
Kopechne left the party at 11:15 p.m. with Robert's brother Ted Kennedy, after he — according to his own account — offered to drive her to catch the last ferry back to Edgartown, where she was staying. Kennedy stated he made a wrong turn on the way and came upon a narrow, unlit bridge without guardrails. Kennedy drove the 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 off the bridge and it overturned in the water. Kennedy extricated himself from the submerged car but Kopechne died, after what Kennedy said were several diving attempts to free her.[5]
Kennedy contacted several aides that night, but failed to report the incident to the authorities until the car and Kopechne's body were discovered the next morning.[5] Kopechne's parents said that they learned of their daughter's death from Ted Kennedy himself[1] before he reported his involvement to the authorities, but that they learned Kennedy had been the driver only from wire press releases some time later.[3]
A funeral for Kopechne was held on July 22, 1969, at St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, attended by Kennedy.[11] She is buried in the parish cemetery on the side of Larksville Mountain...
The Chappaquiddick incident and the death of Kopechne became the grist for at least fifteen books, as well as a fictionalized treatment by Joyce Carol Oates. Questions remained about Kennedy's timeline of events that night, about his actions after the accident, and the quality of the investigation and whether official deference was given to a powerful politician and family.[12] The events surrounding Kopechne's death damaged Kennedy's reputation and are regarded as a major reason that he was never able to mount a successful campaign for President of the United States.[13]
[Edited on 8/26/2009 12:21 PM]
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| Aug 26 @ 12:19 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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Autopsy
The medical examiner, Dr Donald Mills, was satisfied that the cause of death was accidental drowning. He signed a death certificate to that effect and released Kopechne's body to her family without ordering an autopsy.[23] Later, on September 18, District Attorney Dinis attempted to secure an exhumation of Kopechne's body in order to perform a belated autopsy,[24] citing blood found on Kopechne's skirt and in her mouth and nose "which may or may not be consistent with death by drowning".[25] The reported discovery of the blood was made when her clothes were turned over to authorities by the funeral director.[26]
A Pennsylvania court under Judge Bernard Brominski held a hearing on the request on October 20–21.[24] The request was opposed by Kopechne's parents.[24] Eventually Judge Brominski ruled against the exhumation on December 10, saying that there was "no evidence" that "anything other than drowning had caused the death of Mary Jo Kopechne".[27]
[edit] Inquest
The inquest into Kopechne's death took place in Edgartown in January 1970. At the request of Kennedy's lawyers, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered that it be conducted in secret.[28][29] The 763-page transcript of the inquest was released four months later.[29] Judge James A. Boyle presided at the inquest. Among Judge Boyle's conclusions in his inquest report were the following:[30]
the accident occurred "between 11:30 p.m. on July 18 and 1:00 a.m. on July 19".
"Kopechne and Kennedy did not intend to drive to the ferry slip and his turn onto Dike Road had been intentional".
"A speed of twenty miles per hour as Kennedy testified to operating the car as large as his Oldsmobile would be at least negligent and possibly reckless."
"For some reason not apparent from [Kennedy]'s testimony, he failed to exercise due care as he approached the bridge."
"There is probable cause to believe that Edward M. Kennedy operated his motor vehicle negligently ... and that such operation appears to have contributed to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne."
Under Massachusetts law Boyle, having found "probable cause" that Kennedy had committed a crime, could have issued a warrant for his arrest, but he did not do so.[31] District Attorney Dinis chose not to pursue Kennedy for manslaughter, despite Judge Boyle's conclusions.
The Kopechne family did not bring any legal action against Senator Kennedy, but they did receive a payment of $90,904 from the Senator personally and $50,000 from his insurance company.[32] The Kopechnes later explained their decision to not take legal action by saying that "We figured that people would think we were looking for blood money."[32]
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| Aug 26 @ 12:32 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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Nightowl001
Posts: 7,498
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It's not even the incident itself, but the ways in which Ted tried to cover it up that made it so awful. On July 25, seven days after the incident, Kennedy entered a plea of guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury...At 7:30 pm that evening Kennedy made a lengthy prepared statement about the incident which was broadcast live by the television networks. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappaquiddick_incident) So, just how is it you think he tried to "cover it up"?
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| Aug 26 @ 8:27 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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CowboyX
Posts: 613
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indecipherable, you should hook up with MF; I think you'd make a great couple!
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| Aug 26 @ 8:54 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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musicianfriend
Posts: 2,269
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Bet Ted is in the hot seat now...Dont let the pitchfork hit you in the butt as you leave...Teddy.
Mary Jo's family lost a daughter..potential grandchildren..and their helpmate in their old age...These folks lost alot..and they were slammed due to corruption..which seemed to always surround Teddy....all because Ted was a Rich Elitist....and their loss was treated fivilously...by the law..
All men are created equal...all men should obey the law...all men should suffer the same concequenses if the law is broken...not bought off like in third world countries...
Corruption like this is what breaks down a society..and Ted sure did is share..
no class....
Right..Ted had no class...for sure...
Ted never did anything for me except destroy my country and its morality..and foundations...
He helped to molest the minds of a few generations using our public schools and colleges...
He helped to destroy families..
He supported EVERTHING I was against...
So you see..there is no love fest between Teddy and I..
He and his kind are a part of why our country is in this freaking mess right now...
Hes a dishonest man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The OP and I agree....honesty..is important..
and THE LAW makes a difference..
THE LAW should be ENFORCED AND OBEYED...BY ALL AMERICANS...
The man belonged in jail..but because of his ELITIST status..he got away with murder..
ARe you libs going to celebrate the release of Squeaky Fromme next? Shes a murder too..
[Edited on 8/26/2009 9:00 PM]
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| Aug 26 @ 9:19 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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legacy1
Posts: 668
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ARe you libs going to celebrate the release of Squeaky Fromme next? Shes a murder too..
f*** yeah...aren't you? 
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| Aug 27 @ 1:09 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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Angel54214
Posts: 18,195
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ARe you libs going to celebrate the release of Squeaky Fromme next? Shes a murder too..
Provide court documents that state she murdered some one...Thanks Pandora! 
He supported EVERTHING I was against...
You were and are against the "Civil Rights" for women?? Kennedy was the top supporter through out his full holding of the Senate seat. 
Ted never did anything for me except destroy my country and its morality..and foundations...
He helped to molest the minds of a few generations using our public schools and colleges...
He helped to destroy families..
He supported EVERTHING I was against...
So you see..there is no love fest between Teddy and I..
He and his kind are a part of why our country is in this freaking mess right now...
Hes a dishonest man.
Provide "Congressional" proof to every one of the above, for this is MY country too! 
[Edited on 8/27/2009 1:15 AM]
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| Aug 27 @ 1:25 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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chubs
Posts: 2,553
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I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone in this country would ever oppose free medical care for all who live here, this country could afford it, espically if we stopped terrorizing the rest of the world with our big, self-righteous, macho Marion Morrison 6 shooters and rain down illegal wars upon tiny nations that are almost unable to defend themselves...dead Teddy may have swam away and left Mary Jo to drown in that water on Martha's Vineyard, but I think for the last half of his life he tried to atone for all his younger mistakes, both politicly and personally 
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| Aug 27 @ 2:15 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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MotownManiax
Posts: 9,737
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MF, you know how much I like it when you talk dirty. 
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| Aug 27 @ 2:27 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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Angel54214
Posts: 18,195
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He should have gone to jail. That he was allowed to serve as a senator for so long is one of the biggest injustices of the past half century. It's not even the incident itself, but the ways in which Ted tried to cover it up that made it so awful. Perhaps the Kopechne family can finally have some closure.
He testified in his trial for his own defense, which in this country one is innocent until proven guilty. Kennedy pled "guilty"! The jury issued no indictment and the judge gave him a suspended sentence with probation.
Like GH posted  the woman's family never sued, nor would they consent to a later autopsy when the case was reopened by Ted's own lawyer firm in 1970. Does that make any sense? She was their daughter!
From the court reports, Kennedy didn't "try to cover anything up" from the accident; his defense lawyer did because that is what a defense lawyer does in court cases.
Dike Bridge at the time was not a complete bridge; There were no lights, reflectors caution signs, side guardrails or a baracade. The bridge was a drop off right into Poucha Pond! Kennedy did testify that he tried serveral times to get the woman out of the vehicle after it hit the water and ended up side down. The woman that was in the care was a member of Ted's own brother's presidential campaign for cripes sake! And remember...he was also under water in that car and it was pitch black. (I have read the FBI investigation report as well as the full court documents).
Kennedy also was not top notch physcially; He had permanent damage to his vertebrae from a plane crash in '64, which he also lost his sister Kathleen and his nephew John-John in a different plane and Ted raised the 13 children from them after their deaths.
Kennedy's Testamonials:
"I was unfamiliar with the road and turned onto Dyke Road instead of bearing left on Main Street. After proceeding for approximately a half mile on Dyke Road I descended a hill and came upon a narrow bridge. The car went off the side of the bridge.... The car turned over and sank into the water and landed with the roof resting on the bottom. I attempted to open the door and window of the car but have no recollection of how I got out of the car. I came to the surface and then repeatedly dove down to the car in an attempt to see if the passenger was still in the car. I was unsuccessful in the attempt."
"My conduct and conversations during the next several hours to the extent that I can remember them make no sense to me at all. Although my doctors informed me that I suffered a cerebral concussion as well as shock, I do not seek to escape responsibility for my actions by placing the blame either on the physical, emotional trauma brought on by the accident or on anyone else. I regard as indefensible the fact that I did not report the accident to the police immediately."
(The condition of Kennedy was testified in court by Dr. Robert Watt)
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| Aug 27 @ 11:08 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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Loren62
Posts: 384
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Perhaps the Kopechne family can finally have some closure.  Three cheers and a jig dance that piece of slime is gone!!! 
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| Aug 27 @ 11:10 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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Much better.
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| Aug 28 @ 6:36 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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daisy315
Posts: 4,946
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his death did not bring "closure" to the family.. they dealt with that issue many years ago..
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| Aug 28 @ 10:03 AM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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so very true... as they knew their daughter...
what still amazes me is how people never let this go.. but ~shrug~ when all the bush et al atrocities come to the surface..
remember that Ted et al was in the public's eye since prohibition...and the dirt is..
minor as compared to others....
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| Aug 28 @ 3:05 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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indecipherable
Posts: 546
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right Gallows. I mean, what is the loss of just one, 'unimportant' woman's life 40 years ago because of Ted's negligence. We shouldn't care, nor ever bring up the topic again. Let's just let it go, sweep it under the rug and forget it ever happened.
You have a lot of nerve saying what he did was minor also. I'm just as amazed that people WANT this to go away. I'm glad it never did, and ruined his chances for the presidency.
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| Aug 28 @ 4:02 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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Gallows_Humor
Posts: 13,649
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vietnam....40,000 + americans killed..
over????????????????????????????????
nuff said??
Reason (Cause of Casualty) Number of Records
Gun, Small Arms Fire 18,518
Multiple Fragmentary Wounds 8,456
Air Loss, Crash on Land 7,992
Other Explosive Devices 7,450
Artillery, Rocket or Mortar 4,914
http://www.archives.gov/research/vietnam-war/casualty-statistics.html#cause
.......
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| Aug 28 @ 4:06 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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MrPaul
Posts: 1,633
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Ted is dead What is done is done..Let it go and move on  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.......................Said by the only Judge that counts
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| Aug 28 @ 5:32 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead.
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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Much much better.
And the truth will set you free.
Psst, Angel, ya should have been a lawyer.
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| Aug 28 @ 6:43 PM |
the killer of Mary Jo Kopechne is dead. |
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katydid438
Posts: 8,020
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Ted Kennedy and South Florida -- the party's over
> Posted by Michael Mayo on August 26, 2009 11:02 AM
Ted Kennedy is being remembered today as a political giant from a dynastic family, and he deserves all the tributes he gets for his leadership and ideals.
But when you think of Kennedy and South Florida, the image that sticks is of a raucous 1991 Easter weekend night out with his nephew, William Kennedy Smith.
The March night began at the Au Bar in Palm Beach, continued at the Kennedy family compound on the island, and ultimately ended up in a courtroom with the sensational rape trial of his nephew that became a media circus.
The William Kennedy Smith case was billed as the trial of the century (this was before O.J. Simpson), with live television coverage obscuring the face of the accuser with a big blue blob and making a star of Miami defense attorney Roy Black.
Smith was acquitted of sexual assault, helped in part by his uncle’s testimony at the December 1991 trial.
But the episode was a family embarrassment, one that the Chappaquiddick-stained Ted Kennedy could ill afford. It led to Kennedy finally sobering up and settling down.
Here’s how his Wikipedia entry puts it: “While not directly implicated in the case, Kennedy became the frequent butt of jokes on The Tonight Show and other late-night television programs. Time magazine said Kennedy was being perceived as a ‘Palm Beach boozer, lout and tabloid grotesque’ while Newsweek said Kennedy was ‘the living symbol of the family flaws.’ ”
The Au Bar is long gone, and the family sold its Palm Beach retreat in 1995, after the death of matriarch Rose. For a closer look at the Kennedy ties to the exclusive island, check out this piece from the Sun Sentinel, and this piece from the Palm Beach Post.
Well he obviously didn't mend his ways. Anyone else but a "Kennedy" would have been convicted and served time for Mary Jo's death......no autopsy???(would her parents really dare to push for one?) ,,,evidence of blood in her nasal passages.....no confirmed evidence of drowning???He got out of the open drivers' side window...but an athlete like him couldn't get her out after "repeated diving" at a time when seat belts were not regularly used? Those who aspire to the presidency can't leave loose ends...especially a "silly" girlfriend..afterall didn't he have a loving socially acceptable wife and family at home???.....Oh,,he was a great talker during his political career,,,but do you really think that he gave a shit about the "common people"?,,I mean,,what other choice did he have to but to go along with the popular topics of the day...including abortion,,,,,IMO,,after Chappaquiddick everything that came out of his mouth was orchestrated to make him seem like a humble man. He only cared about himself and if he wasn't a Kennedy, he never would have had a career in politics.
I'm sure his family is suffering due to their loss,,but maybe they will now have some closure now too after all these years of putting up the loyal front.
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