William Kennedy Smith's Rape Trial
Could a Kennedy escape a rape charge?
4.7 (15)
38 mins
Explore the explosive 1991 Palm Beach rape trial involving William Kennedy Smith and the woman who accused him. Discover how a night on the beach became a sensational courtroom battle watched around the world. Learn about the testimony, the intense media scrutiny, and the verdict that ended the trial.
Ep 1:
The Kennedy Name on Trial
A Palm Beach beach encounter becomes a national spectacle as William Kennedy Smith faces rape charges, with Court TV cameras rolling and America split on who to believe.
Ep 2:
Cracks in the First Witness
Prosecutor Maura Lash paints an ordinary woman with no agenda, while defense attorney Roy Black turns friend-witness Anne Mercer's tabloid deals and shifting story into a devastating liability.
Ep 3:
She Said, He Said: The Stand
Patricia Bowman describes a violent assault in gripping detail, but pantyhose, memory gaps, forensic science, and Ted Kennedy's own testimony complicate the picture before Smith takes the stand.
Ep 4:
77 Minutes to a Verdict
Cross-examination missteps, fiery closing arguments, and a stunningly swift jury decision bring the trial to its explosive end—and ignite a debate that outlives the verdict.
Discussions (5)
Malcolm
Level 10 · 4 weeks ago77 mins says it all
Fabian
Level 2 · 4 weeks ago77 mins to acquit a Kennedy lol
Fay
Level 4 · 4 weeks agoThe jury deliberated only 77 minutes — confirmed. Multiple sources back this up. One of the shortest deliberations ever for a high-profile rape trial 🤯
