Sen. Fasano Statement on Supreme Court Ruling that Convicted Killer Michael Skakel Can Remain Free While Motion to Reconsider Delayed

HARTFORD – Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Michael Skakel to remain free on bail as the court has not yet acted on his motion for reconsideration. Mr. Skakel was convicted in 2002 of murdering Martha Moxley. His conviction was reversed in appellate court and he has been free since November 2013, but the Supreme Court reversed that decision in December 2016, thereby confirming his conviction.

“A convicted killer, affirmed to be guilty by the Supreme Court, has been free for 14 months and counting. Now, as the Supreme Court continues to drag its feet on this individual’s motion for reconsideration, they have just signed off on allowing him to remain free. How many other people who have had murder convictions affirmed by the Supreme Court also have been allowed to walk free for over a year and counting? The uncharacteristic months long delay in deciding on a routine motion for reconsideration raises concerns. Just last month we saw the Supreme Court rule on a motion to reconsider a massive case on education funding (CCJEF v. Rell). Considering that decision for such a significant case with broad statewide impact took a mere 5 days to consider and deny, it seems extremely odd that we have been waiting 413 days and counting for a similar decision. This situation raises concerns.”