Senator Ted Kennedy, brother to late President John F. Kennedy, succumbed to a cancerous brain tumor on August 25, 2009; at the age of 77.
While many proclaim that Kennedy was best known for being the “liberal lion” of the U.S. Senate, true crime fans most likely best know him for his controversial crime that occurred 40 years ago.
On July 18, 1969, Mary Jo Kopechne, 29, attended a party hosted on Chappaquiddick Island off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in honor of Robert Kennedy campaign workers.
At approximately 11:15 p.m. that same evening, Kopechne left the party with Robert’s brother Ted Kennedy after, according to Ted, he offered her a ride back to catch the last ferry.
Kennedy claims that, during the drive, he made a wrong turn and came upon a narrow, unlit bridge which he subsequently drove off; submerging the car in water.
According to his accounts, Ted claimed that after extracating himself he made several attempts to retrieve Kopechne from the car.
Yet…
Despite having contact with several of his aides on that same evening, Kennedy failed to mention the horrible accident that he, surely, knew had taken the life of Kopechne.
As a matter of fact, Kennedy did not report the incident to authorties until the car and Kopechne’s body were found the following more.
More than 8 hours later!
And it should not go without saying that Kennedy, at the time of this occurrence, was married to Joan Kennedy – whom would divorce Kennedy in 1977 due to his womanizing and alcoholism – and more than well on his way to big things on the political scene.
A week following the accident, Kennedy pled guilty to leaving the scene and received a two month suspended sentence.
Later that same evening, Kennedy spoke at a national press conference wherein he stated, that at the time of Kopechne’s death, he was not under the influence nor had he engaged in any immoral conduct with Kopechne.
Yeah, right.
Do I think that Ted Kennedy intentionally killed Kopechne?
No.
But I do think his actions were criminal nonetheless.
Kennedy was more concerned about his career and reputation than he was a young woman drowning -
Most likely due to alcohol-induced advances.
Maybe she had accepted them.
Maybe she hadn’t.
With the death of Senator Ted Kennedy no one will ever know for sure.
But one can be assured that, as it seems to be with the Kennedys, the controvery will live on.
