The case against Michael Skakel, Martha Moxley's accused killer, is full of legalities bound to lengthen the matter's course through the due process of law. A significant reason for this is that laws which applied in 1975 may not apply now and vice versa. A statute of limitations on murder apparently in effect at the time, the accused's age at the time of the murder and whether or not testimony from Skakel's rehab bunkmates that he confessed can prove strong are all crucial factors.
Time is of the essence in several ways.
But one law has been constant throughout. Still in effect today, the law applies to any child over the age of 14. Michael Skakel was 15 when Moxley was beaten to death with a golf club on Oct. 30, 1975. He has originally been charged as a juvenile for her murder. This law allows for a juvenile to be tried as an adult for murder should the case meet at least some criteria.