The late Ted Kennedy was a beloved senator who served his area for decade . He ’s known for having work across the aisle topass landmark legislationthat realize him a legacy as one of the most well-thought-of and hard - work out members of the Senate . But his record was n’t squeaky clean . It had one major radar target and it ’s probable what kept him from a successful presidential bid : the death of 28 - year - old Mary Jo Kopechne in Chappaquiddick , Massachusetts in 1969 .
Recently , a Hollywood movie , competently bring up " Chappaquiddick , " recounted the shocking issue and Kennedy ’s involvement in Kopechne ’s death . Stuff They Do n’t Want You To eff host Ben Bowlin and Matt Frederick sat down with the cinema ’s screenwriters , Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan , to speak about the movie and scandal in the podcastWhat was the Chappaquiddick Incident ?
The same weekend America was see the firstman land on the synodic month , Ted Kennedythrew a partyat a cottage on Chappaquiddick Isle . It was a reunification for the people who worked for his late brother Robert F. Kennedy ’s presidential campaign . Six woman , known as " Boiler Room Girls " because of the hot , windowless room where they worked , were there , include Kopechne .
Kennedy ’s account was he and Kopechne left the party around 11:15 p.m. because she was tired and wanted to get the last ferryboat back to Martha ’s Vineyard . Kennedy says almost straight off he assume a wrong turn onto Dike Road and traveled for about a half mile ( .8 kilometer ) and crashed into the water beneath Dike Bridge . Kennedy superintend to run away through his car window . In his court testimony , Kennedy sound out he tried to plunk down several times to save Kopechne but was abortive .
However , several of the Boiler Room Girls testified that Kopechne leave her purse and hotel elbow room key at the Chappaquiddick cottage when she left with Kennedy . And a police officer say he date a car similar to Kennedy ’s aim toward the ferry at 12:45 a.m. , more than an time of day after they allow for the party together , making Kennedy ’s story difficult to trust .
But it was Kennedy’sbehavior after the accidentthat really raise eyebrows . He did n’t report the accident for more than 10 hours , only calling the police force after the car was break by a passerby . And after the crash , Kennedy walked 1.5 miles ( 2.4 klick ) from Dike Bridge back to the cottage on Chappaquiddick Isle without ever stop over for help at any of the hall — or the flak post — he passed along the way . And it became clear after Kopechne ’s dead body was recovered that had the constabulary been called forthwith , she may have make it .
So what take place during that " missing hour " between the meter Kennedy say the car crashed into the water system and when the law officer claimed to see the car at 12:45 ? Why did Kennedy wait so long to describe the clangoring ? Was he seek to hide something ? Did the Kennedy phratry ’s political car help him compensate something up ?
Not many of theconspiracy theoriesconcerning this case sustain up to investigation , but the stroke certainly changed Ted Kennedy ’s life , and put a period on the all - too - forgetful life of the intelligent and well - liked Mary Jo Kopechne . The details of the story are fascinating , and the film writer — Allen and Logan — reveal more detail about this calamity in American political history . But you ’ll have tolisten to the intact podcastto get the complete narrative .
