48 Hours Mystery Season 34 Episode 7 The Diary of Martha Moxley

48 Hours is a true crime documentary series that explores some of the most notorious criminal cases in the United States. In season 34, episode 7 titled "The Diary of Martha Moxley," the show delves into the murder of Martha Moxley, a 15-year-old girl who was brutally killed in her own backyard in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1975. The case remained unsolved for over twenty-five years until a new investigation in the 2000s resulted in the prosecution of Michael Skakel, who was a classmate and neighbor of Martha's at the time of the murder.

The episode starts by introducing viewers to Martha Moxley, a vivacious teenager with a bright future ahead of her. Martha had just started her sophomore year at the Greenwich Country Day School and was making plans for her future when tragedy struck. On the night of October 30, 1975, Martha went out to play with friends in her wealthy neighborhood. She was last seen alive around 9:30 pm, and when she failed to return home, her mother reported her missing.

The next day, Martha's body was discovered in her own backyard. She had been bludgeoned to death with a golf club, which was found near her body. The crime scene was chaotic, with many of Martha's friends and neighbors milling around, potentially contaminating evidence. The police were at a loss for clues, and the case quickly grew cold.

Through interviews with friends, family, and investigators, the episode explores the many roadblocks that prevented the Moxley case from being solved. The police lacked the forensic technology that is available today, and they were hamstrung by the fact that they were investigating one of the wealthiest and most powerful enclaves in the country. The episode also examines the ways in which the investigation may have been biased against certain suspects, particularly those who were not from the tight-knit Greenwich community.

Years passed, but the Moxley case remained unsolved. It wasn't until the early 2000s that new evidence came to light, thanks in part to the publication of a memoir by former classmate Dominick Dunne. The memoir suggested that Michael Skakel, a cousin of the powerful Kennedy family who had been a suspect in the early days of the investigation, may have been involved in the murder.

The episode follows the investigation that led to Skakel's arrest and subsequent trial. Viewers are taken through the prosecution's case, including the testimony of former classmates who claimed that Skakel had confessed to the crime. The episode explores the defense's arguments, which focused on Skakel's alibi and the lack of physical evidence tying him to the crime.

Overall, "The Diary of Martha Moxley" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode of 48 Hours. It not only explores the tragic murder of a young girl but also sheds light on the many challenges that investigators face when trying to solve a case that has gone cold. It highlights the importance of persistence and new technology in solving crimes, and it raises important questions about justice and bias in the criminal justice system. Fans of true crime and those interested in the history of criminal investigation will find the episode especially engaging.