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Kennedy Car Accident / Kopechne Death #204647

CBS Evening News for Monday, Jul 21, 1969
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(Studio) Senator Edward Kennedy secluded in summer home at Squaw Island, Massachusetts and still silent to reporters about car accident that killed former secretary to late bro., Robert
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

(Edgartown, Massachusetts) Police Chief Dominick Arena asked district court to file complaint against Senator, charging him with leaving scene of accident and failing to report it within reasonable time. [ARENA - says Senator said he suffered from shock and when finally realized what had happened, contacted me. Did return to his Edgartown hotel and I feel contact could have been made prior to time it was.] Kennedy was heading for ferry to mainland with Mary Jo Kopechne. Took wrong turn and went off bridge into 8 ft. water; she drowned. 8 hrs. elapsed before he reported accident. [ARENA - says Senator's clothes not wet. Had fresh clothes on. Gotten no pressure from Kennedy family.] District Attorney to look into party held at house leased to Kennedy's cousin, Joseph Gargan. Lease for house found in wrecked car. Law men question people with Kennedy before accident.
REPORTER: Ben Silver

(Studio) Hearing scheduled for next Monday Senator's spokesperson says he may attend Kopechne's funeral at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Rptd. that wife, Joan, and Ethel Kennedy would attend.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

Reporter(s):
Reasoner, Harry;
Silver, Ben
Duration:
00:02:50

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