A high-profile rape trial involving William Kennedy Smith, a member of the Kennedy family, and an alleged victim, Patricia Bowman, made headlines in the 1990s. Bowman accused Smith of raping her at the Kennedy estate after meeting him at a local bar. Despite passing polygraph tests and showing bruising, Smith was acquitted due to his family’s influence, expensive defense, and the exclusion of testimony from other women claiming assault by Smith. Dominick Dunne covered the trial, noting the Kennedy family’s solidarity and courtroom tactics. After the trial, Bowman expressed frustration at the outcome and Smith’s ability to manipulate the story to his advantage. In 2015, a book revealed that JFK Jr. had been blackmailed into supporting Smith at the trial, despite his belief in Smith’s guilt. This case highlighted issues of privilege, power, and manipulation in the justice system.
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