Ted Kennedy Chappaquiddick Island Incident Analysis | Did Kennedy Commit Manslaughter?

This video answers the question: Can I analyze the case of Ted Kennedy and the Chappaquiddick Island incident?
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References:
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[@edgarfrank5712]

Shame on the citizens of Massachussets who kept electing and reelecting members of this criminal family.

[@ReflectionTool637]

That "crime family" has nothing on the grifter trying to get back in the WH and his corrupt spawn. Jared gets $2B to invest from MBS? That is next level grifting.

[@JmO-ee1bi]

Shame on the entire Republican Party for being a joke, as bad as the Kennedys are they are angels compared to literally any Republican Party politician

[@tomjones2348]

I appears to me that Ted was installed into office with huge sums of campaign $$ from his well funded globalist constituents. Pop quiz: What "club" have 99.9% of Congress sworn their allegiance in order to keep their seats? That club is who runs America.

[@paisan8766]

The country and our states elect a lot of scumbags on both sides of the isle, bud. Most less capable than JFK & RFK Sr.

[@AuntBunny8]

I never voted for him. I am glad I moved.

[@quester09]

this guy basically had a free ride through life. RIP Mary Jo.

[@diamondleigh7280]

Smh... 🙄 I 100% agree with you

[@perrymichales4242]

Mary. Jo is the true victim in this sad saga.

[@kaym.h.3583]

☝️

[@damnmuggle]

Not really how he died wasn’t easy lol

[@memail-fn6yb]

He didn't completely escape consequences. I remember when he ran for president in 80 or 84. People were asking, who wants a President who panics and runs? It was pretty obvious Ted would never win. You know what winning meant to a Kennedy. Mary Jo was always going to come back to haunt him. If he hadn't been the last surviving Kennedy brother, I don't think he would have gotten away with it. Some thought that after the loss of Joe Jr, John, and Robert, his mother had paid enough. It was kind of a twisted Saving Private Ryan".

[@sallydeeperry138]

This is an excellent analysis, Dr. Grande. I was 16 when that happened. Ted was an arrogant, selfish narcissist who escaped the justice he deserved.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Teddy appeared at my High School in Massachusetts about a year after this. I think he was drying to rehab his image. It was the first time I ever saw someone who didn't answer questions directly - when a student asked him a question, he would lean over and whisper to an advisor. That was eye opening to me as a student - that a US Senator couldn't answer questions without help. As he drove away a lot of kids were watching him and we all said "drive carefully".

[@tabittheha]

Hearing about this case, it always stands out to me that so many people were much more concerned about protecting the reputation of some dude with a fancy last name than they were about seeking justice for an innocent young woman who was killed because a rich boy decided to drive home drunk.

[@johnnytimestamp8224]

"floosy"

[@micheleparker8123]

Exactly.

[@juanitarichards1074]

@@johnnytimestamp8224 She was no "floozy"......she was a victim of a misogynistic sexual harasser who wouldn't take no for an answer. They went to great lengths to cover for him precisely because Maty Jo was a victim whom that coward left to drown while he saved his own worthless ass.

[@johnnytimestamp8224]

@@juanitarichards1074 i know im joking thats what they said about her back then

[@rdhawk929]

But isn't that ALWAYS the case, regardless of what side of the aisle they align with politically?

[@connie5768]

It has always boggled my mind that the people of Massachusetts continued to keep this man in office for so many years, where he continued a pampered and protected life until he died. He was a narcissistic, disgusting human being who left a young woman to die.

[@mcgilldi]

Ah, the people of Massachusetts. They continued to elect a congressman, Gerry Studds, every 2 years forever. Mr. Studds got a young male page drunk and sexually assaulted him. He was censured by Congress.

[@pmccoy8924]

Sounds like Joe Biden. Many of his faults ignored while his orange opponent had things made up in return the sheep "voted" the clown in. Democrats are immune to the DOJ. Prior to 2020 every major politician was immune. Different DOJ now. Arm of the democrat party. Same goes for the Bush clowns. All immune and committed horrible acts, allegedly. From Prescot down to GW. All vile.

[@michaelterry4394]

Doesn't mean he was a bad person.. Lol. He was not a complete3 loser he did serve as a very Bad example of how not to act as a reasonable human being. not everybody I. MASS IS a fan of the late senator. group think is a bad trait.

[@janetrjones7815]

I totally agree with you. I guess the Democratic machine in Mass. is very good.

[@jguillot72]

@@michaelterry4394 He was a bad man. He was a congenital liar, cheater, and a drunk. A stain and embarrassment to the US. His continued re-election is a clear indictment of the integrity of Massachusetts voters integrity.

[@caesar349]

And yet he became a career politician reelected over and over and over.

[@wesleyhite8203]

I was a freshman in high school when this happened. The part that gets me is that the people of Massachusetts seemed to think that he didn't do anything wrong. If a senator from my home state of Texas had done that, he would have been Drawn and Quatered.

[@charles-ge1nx]

You can’t be serious. Or you ignore the facts or are illiterate. Not unlikely, knowing how children are “educated” in dear, old Texas. It took 5 months to get rid of a police force without an ounce of courage, fewer brains, etc. The only thing they regarded were themselves & SELF-PRESERVATION. The Governor & State Attorney General are corrupt, cowardly, and actually are traitorous. Texas as a State is PSYCHOPATHY. Learn to think critically..

[@peterruddick1952]

Incorrect, many MA people, including my family and also including many Irish Dem's were outraged

[@hermandegroot1946]

Greg Abbott is still there.

[@jguillot72]

@@peterruddick1952 Yet they continued to vote for the POS.

[@dckatyx9577]

Except, possibly, for LBJ.

[@lindaedwards2144]

I could never understand him being lionised in the Senate. He was so sleazy.

[@Dulcimertunes]

You said it

[@thereal4113]

Also a raging alcoholic. His face was always the color of a ripe tomato.

[@keithbrunson7190]

He was a Kennedy. They do what they want.

[@GradyPhilpott]

Democrats.

[@peabody3000]

some people actually still respect trump, so anything's possible really

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

“Ted would spend time delivering impassioned speeches on the senate floor, when he should have been spending time delivering an impassioned cleaning effort on a prison floor.”- I couldn’t agree more. 🙌🏼 His self-centeredness was boundless. Thank you for another great review Dr. Grande.❤️

[@presmasterflash7555]

It was said that he would make jokes about Mary Jo in the halls of the capital building and I wouldn’t wince if it were to have happened on the senate floor either. He was a sick individual. I used to live in Massachusetts. Can’t believe those people would elect him into office over and over.

[@rejaneoliveira5019]

@@presmasterflash7555 That’s nauseating. It’s disheartening to think that we had/have people with such low moral compass in politics.

[@damnmuggle]

@@presmasterflash7555 he didn’t make those jokes you liar

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@damnmuggle ok. Go find the unedited version of his memoirs.

[@kellym3356]

Thank you for this Dr Grande! I just finished “Senatorial Privilege” and I 💯 % agree with your insights. It goes much further than anyone even knows! Ted Kennedy’s cousin Joe Gargon, spoke out before his death about Chapaquittick and he had many regrets. One of which was he or Paul Markum, traveled to Mary Jo’s parents’ home with the kennedy Catholic priest to convince Mary Jos parents that it would do “no good” to have an autopsy done on Mary Jo , as her father was demanding. Eventually the priest Convinced them not to proceed and no definitive proof would exist to prosecute the Slimeball lying Ted. The coroner did say However that MJ didn’t die of drowning but of suffocation and had been alive hours after the car plunged off the bridge! IF Kennedy had done the RIGHT and morally and humane thing by calling police or ambulance , she would be alive today ! God has judged him now.

[@cbroz7492]

Mary Jo asked him.. "Ted. what would you do if I told you I was pregnant??? He teplied..."I'll cross that bridge when I come to it..."

[@sjb3460]

Too True!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@user-dk3up2nl1m]

...that was possible!

[@brinsonharris9816]

Mary Jo was and probably still is the only accident victim not autopsied as Mass law requires. The Kennedys had that kind of power in those days.

[@MrRaulstrnad]

Remember this event is the one we know about-his pattern of behavior at the scene (not getting help, bypassing several houses, sleeping it off etc.) seems to indicate that either he, or his brothers or their father experienced similar incidents before and they were always covered up.

[@shipcritic]

During this period Volkswagen ran an advertising campaign about the Beetle: "it floats!". National Lampoon ran a fake ad: "If Teddy Kennedy drove a Volkswagen he'd be President today".

[@raydavison4288]

That ad was in a special edition titled, "The National Lampoon Encyclopedia of Humor." The Kennedys sued & forced NatLamCo to recall that edition.

[@ktkt9982]

Fascinating.

[@robertmatz2925]

@@raydavison4288 First time I heard about the floating Beetle, very humorous.

[@storyboydave2816]

Ha ha! I was going to post the same thing! I used to have that issue.

[@ekkekristo]

wow

[@smittykins]

“He would spend time delivering impassioned speeches on the Senate floor, when he should have been spending time delivering impassioned cleaning efforts on a prison floor.” Well said.

[@claraclark3760]

So So True!

[@parsleypalace3272]

It was the good, compassionate, and progressive people of Massachusetts who gave this individual a senate seat for life. SMH

[@pamelamyers9613]

YEAH.

[@GregWatson-wb8yd]

@@parsleypalace3272 He buried as a President would have been. Praised by Obama.

[@DeeDeex007o]

🤣🤣🤣👌👌

[@steppenwolf516]

"Some quality time for the purpose of romance". Dr. Grande's euphemisms are among his best form of humor.

[@stuartanderson852]

On KZbin there was a radio interview conducted in the 1970's with the diver who found Mary Jo's body. He confirmed that unlike drowning victims, where lots of water comes out of the mouth, there was hardly any water in her lungs, thereby showing she had died of asphyxiation. He said that she could have been alive for maybe three hours after the crash - that's why the Kennedy family were so desperate to stop any autopsy by a local pathologist. The fact that Ted Kennedy had maybe three hours to do something but didn't would have destroyed his career. Did the Kennedy family pay off the victim's family? Who knows but it wouln't surprise me.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

there was no autopsy so, how could anyone know about water in her lungs- or lack thereof ?

[@ljowa]

@@vaekkriinhart4347 a rescue diver would know when water runs out of the victim's mouth. Remember a drowning victim inhales water, if they were dead already they wouldn't.

[@tomdixon1213]

To this day I feel that Mary Jo’s body should be exhumed and properly autopsied to see if she had child. The embryo could undergo dna analysis and matched to Kennedy’s. That an autopsy was suppressed was criminal unto itself.

[@paulskopic5844]

@@tomdixon1213 BINGO

[@Titansolo]

OMG , didn't know any of this nfo OMG she died a horrible death. R.I.P. Mary Jo. God will see there is justice in the afterlife 😢😢😮

[@motherearth6064]

My father is 82. He still gets riled up about that girl.

[@beverleypettit3577]

Your father sounds as though he has his priorities right. Shocking indeed.

[@Salem-yy5wn]

@@beverleypettit3577 🙄🙄🙄

[@seaglasscolor]

It really bothered my grandmother too.

[@stephenater9687]

77 here and I still get upset. That SOB never even offered an apology to the family.

[@lucyloo2520]

76 here. Remember it well. What a sleaze ball!

[@AimeeAimee444]

This unfortunate scenario, where the rich and powerful rarely pay the price as a normal citizen, still exists today. Thank you as always Dr. Grande. 👍😊

[@karenolson4000]

At this point, with all the parties being deceased, God has had the opportunity to render the ultimate judgement. Although I do tend to vote for Democrats, I think Ted Kennedy, his family, and society in general would have been better off if the authorities had treated Ted like anyone else and had indicted him on manslaughter charges. This would have given Ted the opportunity to realign his life.

[@wwc51450]

@@karenolson4000 So, this would have given Kennedy the opportunity to "realign his life"? What about Mary Jo's life? I guess that wasn't a concern in liberal Massachusetts, whose hypocrisy about the way people should be treated (regardless of social class) was quite glaring.

[@annhughes2696]

The perfect example where the rich and famous rarely pay the price is Joe and Hunter Biden. Here we see again where the son of a famous powerful man gets away with crimes others would otherwise pay a price for.

[@AimeeAimee444]

@@annhughes2696 There’s many people missing in your sentence. 😆

[@kenfrievalt7826]

I agree happened more often in the past .with less technology.

[@voxpopuli348]

The Kennedy family denounced RFK Jr., a successful environmental attorney, but supported Ted Kennedy after this debacle.

[@marysisak2359]

I actually remember this case. It sounds a whole lot worse now that it did then. It is truly sickening.

[@gaylesharp9652]

He was a Kennedy. That answers any question about how he got off scott free. I think your analysis is spot on.

[@himdotcom]

I totally concur! Being a Kennedy was like being an angel of GOD in those times. He killed a woman, then went on to serve on the U.S. senate until the time that he died. Everyone cried. 🤔

[@xuzhang6659]

@@himdotcom shut up. Who knows what happened? Maybe he was planned! He was the most productive senator. We need more people like him today!

[@himdotcom]

@@xuzhang6659 Why open your reply with the phrase "shut up?" I would've completely ignored your post, but I noticed that you didn't even reply to the originator. That shows a lot about your character as a person immediately. 🙄

[@megamillionfreak]

@@xuzhang6659 He was most productive for the communists inside and outside of America. It explains why you’re loving that dumb murderer.

[@lindanorris2455]

it is!

[@StaceyQTPie]

Spot on, Dr Grande. I agree with your take on the situation. Ted was drunk and married and all about self preservation.

[@coweatsman]

Ted behaved like an entitled Kennedy but at the same time like a coward which was very un-Kennedy like.

[@deltanovember1672]

@@coweatsman Old Joe was a coward when it came to war with Germany.

[@TheCrabError]

Dang, spoiler alert 😉

[@davidhopeman3591]

And now, The Wholesome Kennedy Brothers VS Marilyn Monroe ?

[@ettoredipugnar6990]

And wanted to be president

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

There was a book that was called “Senatorial Privilege” (available used) on this incident, it will give you chills down your spine knowing what was done to cover this up…

[@TheYellowrose21]

Great book

[@andysgirl7849]

I read extensively on this matter over the years & I reached the same conclusion you did, Dr. Grande. It makes me sick to think of all the things the Kennedys got away with!!

[@HelloWorld-kq3jt]

Biased media helped that

[@user-dk3up2nl1m]

Kennedy curse

[@MrJeffcoley1]

Teddy Kennedy was beloved mainly by the DC Inside the Beltway media. The massive outpouring of public indifference when “The Lion of the Senate” died and was given a funeral befitting a president to very low attendance and empty streets along the parade route was a fitting end to a despicable man.

[@ericwalstrand3512]

He was actually "The Lyin' of the Senate."

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Was the attendance low? That's great. Wonder how the "newz" mee-dee-uh spun that?

[@MrJeffcoley1]

@@HighlanderNorth1 The news reporters were visibly shaken. The cognitive dissonance was too much for them

[@gigia9515]

Spot on! I am old enough to remember that tragedy well.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

I don't know if it was manslaughter or not, but GOD, him just leaving her there makes me sick.

[@aks8823]

My reaction exactly, m3rry........ Sickening.

[@rastaferion]

the wreck is one thing. i'd be in jail but leaving her to drown is the act of an entitled coward. in this world it is better to rich than to be a decent human being. the Kennedy's are not cursed. they just do stupid shit and once in a blue moon they suffer some consequences.

[@anairenemartinez165]

The panicking part at first it is kind of understandable for a KENNEDY caught in some shenanigans, but after, planing the whole cover up by swimming to the hotel and pretend he slept there. The movie is pretty good, like a documentary. Same analysis.

[@anairenemartinez165]

@@rastaferion Old Joe really got his karma back with his sons, grandchildren, greatgrands. You hear what Maria Shriver said to her 26 year old RE: kyle Rittenhouse not guilty.?

[@markreeves9026]

Cervical collar with tie was a sweet touch.

[@donaburns1910]

Excellent Dr Grande. My 82 year old mom still hasn't forgotten what happened. To this day, if I want to see her light up and go on a verbal tear I just mention his name. It's good when she gets the slow blood, brings her BP up right back to normal. RIP Mary Jo, rot in wherever ted.

[@betsyr4724]

I’m listening to this 2024 after watching a documentary on the same subject. There are still many questions. Thanks Dr.

[@joyciejd9673]

I remember all of this like it was yesterday. It was amazing to me, as a young person at that time, that someone could get away with such a thing. I am much older now and sadly, I find that I am no longer surprised when justice is not served

[@judypettey8020]

Rest in Peace Mary Jo !!!

[@kathybates1751]

I hope in today's world things would be different.

[@vernwallen4246]

Here are pictures of"just-us" in action.💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

[@katherinetruitt9835]

Excellent analysis. It was a disgusting incident that showcased a rich man's narcissism.

[@yankee2666]

A Republican from a middle-class family would be doing jail time to this day.

[@Heyu7her3]

@@yankee2666 that's not true either

[@pricklypear7516]

Compounding the crime was the fact that voters elected him senator seven more times.

[@alvashoemaker8536]

THIS ACTION (or, LACK thereof) IS/ WAS a tragedy; how sad that a FAMOUS name (Kennedy) has that much power. RIP, Mary Jo… 🤔😮😐🙏🙏

[@michaelterry4394]

Teddy was protected instead of being held accountable for a sad incident comlpoinded by getti g re elected as a senator. SHAME.

[@notremembering]

Laughing so hard when you said maybe Mary Jo driving off bridge bc she couldn’t stand to be around Ted!!!! Makes sense to me. Entitled self centered and didn’t care at all that she was stuck in car!!! Let me say I don’t for a minute think he tried to get her out of car. Taking care of himself. Like always. Whether it involves cheating in college or drunk in public or murder.

[@thebiscuitrose]

I am glad to read your analysis. Very informative. Thank you.

[@RobertKeigher]

I think Ted exited the car down the road because he didn’t want the cop to find him driving drunk with another woman. Ted drove off when they saw the cop, stopped, got out, then had Mary Jo slide into the driver's seat and continued on, probably all the while she was checking the rearview mirror for the cop lights and accidentally drove off the bridge. Ted was 6'2 and Mary Jo was 5'2, so without the seat adjusted properly she probably couldn't even see over the hood or the bridge, especially since it had no guard rail. Remember she drove a VW. Ted knew the bridge was there and would have never driven off of it. Ted was also an excellent swimmer, and would have gotten her out of a partially submerged car. He didn’t report the accident because he didn’t know about it until he was told the next morning, when his buddies arrived and told him at breakfast. Ted was jovial at breakfast and promptly left looking very distraught and without saying goodbye. Ted said he was driving because they decided this story would be the best political decision, rather than admitting he bailed out of the car in an attempt to hide the fact he was parked with a woman.

[@johnchiaia6758]

In agreement. This is probably the most logical scenario of what really happened.@@RobertKeigher

[@MrRaulstrnad]

he went back home, passing several homes that were lit up (there were no mobile phones then and the homes had phones to call aid) and then he slept it off while the poor woman slowly suffocated in the air pocket. Remember that this incident is the one we know about-his behavior at the scene might be indicative that he went through similar incidents before and it got taken care off.

[@gary_rumain_you_peons]

@@RobertKeigher Nice theory but it doesn't hold water. His bizarre behavior towards the police car suggests to me that he was drunk and stoned. He drove off the bridge because of his state and he probably forgot about her or didn't care. Why the police car didn't continue to follow him after his little stunt is a mystery, however.

[@canadianfortrump4057]

I totally agree that he should have been charged with manslaughter. Anyone else without Ted Kennedy's wealth and privilege would have gone to prison for several years.

[@suekelley2109]

And probably if it had occurred in a different state. Nothing against Massachusetts at all but the sheriff or chief of police let him go because he had promised to return for a longer interview, but he got out of there and never returned

[@Krose333]

The "chap's acquitted" was a pun coined in reference to this at the time.

[@dorothyedge2747]

That is amazing. I didn't know that....

[@carolnahigian9518]

Ted K called a Mistress/ lady friend BEFORE he phone Joan his own wife; Mary Jo lived 30+ minutes trying to breathe in AIR POCKET, knowing she was dying... so sad.

[@nothingshouldbewithouteffort]

Wittily coined.

[@betterbee1304]

Does anyone else put on Dr Grande when they're working around the house? It's fascinating to learn all of these different cases. My dad use to adore the Kennedys and I never really got why. Thanks Dr. Grande! What a strange family...

[@Seaglassandsage]

My dad named me and my brother after the after Kennedys.. people must’ve really been caught up in a world wind of admiration at that time for them, I never really got why either😂

[@stubstunner]

Yes! I listen while I clean and work

[@Throatzillaaa]

I do that with many youtube videos but I like to look at Todd's mouth when he speaks cause I'm creepy

[@kawaiifangzz]

I've run through all of his content. I'm always putting him on when doing chores around the house

[@stubstunner]

@@Throatzillaaa I mean… Look at that mouth…

[@robdavidson993]

I remember the National Lampoon advertisement of a VW bug half submerged in a lake and the statement was “if Ted Kennedy had been driving a VW, he would be president today”

[@sookie4195]

I remember this well. I was 17 living in the Midwest. Even in the Midwest, people were outraged.

[@beckyenglish4783]

Love how he “just” graduated from school, yet got in to Harvard!

[@judithgannon5642]

These schools have legacies

[@aks8823]

@@judithgannon5642 Exactly right, and Harvard still lets you in according to legacies and who you know.

[@robertodell9193]

Money talks...

[@Jonathanbegg]

About on a level with George 'Dubya' Bush graduating from Yale - with a little help, maybe?

[@shahrulamar5358]

@@aks8823 Even founder of Microsoft failed to get degree from Harvard.

[@TrixiLovesYou]

You can check all the boxes of corruption in this case, it's so sickening. But it's in line with the great american tradition of the rich and powerful being above the law.

[@chg1264]

As most countries… money buys escape from consequences. Bribery works.

[@canileaveitblank1476]

That’s worldwide, not just USA.

[@kwas101]

@@canileaveitblank1476 So correct, I was going to say the same thing. Doesn't just happen in America unfortunately.

[@jameswilson313]

Unless you're Donald Trump.

[@happygolucky9986]

However, a recent accident reconstructionist says she could not have been in the passenger seat, that she was driving alone, as there were NO injuries whatsoever on her, whereas, if she had been in the passenger seat the pressure coming up from water and down from the crash would have shattered the window thereby leaving many small cuts on her face. Also, when the car stopped and was seen by the cop they drove back a ways. Ted exited the car and ran, telling the woman to get on and go back to her hotel fearing his trist with her would be exposed which explains the difference between the cops timeline and Teds.. She was unfamiliar with the road and drove off of the bridge.

[@edronc2007]

I have written about and I'm well informed about this. Your analysis is exactly in line with the conclusions I draw back then. Dr. Grande, you are a man of rare intellectual and personal integrity.

[@carolannburke5450]

I was 13 years old at that time, and could feel something was fishy with the entire thing/story. RIP Mary Jo....

[@terrijamison9154]

Yes, EVERYONE knew!

[@eadweard.]

"Feel"??

[@aks8823]

@@eadweard. Yes, "Feel" could be substituted with the word "intuition".

[@eadweard.]

@@aks8823 Not sure much intuition was needed in this case!

[@valerielhw]

I was also around 13 at the time. As I remember it, the first moon landing happened on the same weekend as the Chappaquiddick incident, and thus news reporting on its gravity was delayed. While Ted Kennedy did repeatedly win the Senate after Chappaquiddick, he never became President, as he almost certainly would have if this preventable tragedy had not occurred. I do agree that Kennedy should have been convicted of reckless homicide over both his actions and _inactions,_ as anyone else who had not been "rich and powerful" would have.

[@betsyr4724]

My opinion same as yours. They were drunk. Went parking. Took a wrong turn. I wonder if he really tried to find her. Wasn’t she in the car? He panicked and saved Ted. Cowardly behavior.

[@jonibrown6864]

You got it

[@brettmitchell8014]

Alcohol is the worst drug around.

[@pamalaboyd7008]

I'm 77, and read a book about this story. She was breathing air from an air pocket for 9 hours. This book made me mad, and sad.

[@JohnSmith-yd5wq]

@@pamalaboyd7008 Ted was innocent and setup. The story doesn't make any sense. How did Ted get out but not Mary Jo?

[@robertodell9193]

@@JohnSmith-yd5wq I can't tell if you're a brilliant troll or just a person of sub-normal intelligence.

[@kibblenbits]

I'm old enough to remember when this happened. Ted got out of the car, walked past houses and a fire station, went back to where he was staying for 9 hours, before it was reported to the authorities, the next morning. There was no autopsy done on her (if she'd had been your daughter, you would have demanded it and so would I) and later on, her parents bought themselves a new home (they got a lot more money than stated). Also, the diver, who had recovered many drowning victims, stated that when he brought her body to shore, no water came out of her nose or mouth and the way he found her in the car, her head was stretched back, like she was straining to breath, in the air pocket. Everyone knows that there are really two justice systems, one for the rich and one for the poor. Just like today, you had morons who will still vote for a liar and criminal, although at that time, it was at the state level, not national.

[@lulumoon6942]

👆👆👆

[@bobs182]

I think we have 4 levels of justice: wealthy, middle class, poor, and poor black.

[@JosephBrazzo]

Yeah bro you NAILED IT.

[@gary_rumain_you_peons]

It's like he wanted her to die. He was certainly stalling for time. Presumably because he was drunk.

[@honestlyyours1069]

I do remember hearing about this incident in 1969. I was too young at the time to understand the full ramifications of this incident, but gained new insights about it from watching Dr. Grande's presentation. I have to agree with his conclusion that Ted Kennedy was guilty of impaired driving causing death, but escaped a jail sentence because of his family"s reputation.

[@jkgent4087]

Nailed it, Doc! If I remember correctly, he wore a neck brace around after the incident and in his TV speech. I think this was a cheap bid for sympathy and there was nothing wrong with his neck.

[@jims3251]

I may very well be wrong about this, but I think the neck brace was affer an unrelated small-plane crash. I'll look it up to double check.

[@jims3251]

Nope; you're right. He wore the neck brace to her funeral, apparently. After the (1964) plane crash, it was a BACK brace.

[@Nan-Elle]

I also remember that at that time when he went to court on the island, NO cameras were allowed in the court room. Everything was covered up, and the poor guy lost his license. A license you don't really need when you have drivers...

[@pootthatbak2578]

I coulda swore a picture of the car i saw in this video had circular cracks right about where a driver may have been flung into the windshield

[@jkgent4087]

@@pootthatbak2578 Could be. At the time, I do not remember him saying anything about a neck or any other injury. It seemed like an anomaly to me at that time. But I was young- a junior in high school. But an insightful junior in high school. 😅

[@maureeningleston1501]

Dr Grandes videos are like having a bag of "pick n" mix"....you never know what you're going to get, but you know you'll like it.

[@bthomson]

A box of chocolates!🍫

[@steppenwolf516]

Forrest Gump dixit.

[@marttimattila9561]

Thank You to take this up.

[@nomopms1]

I remember this being on the news back in the day. Excellent analysis, Doc!

[@paperchaser29]

I always like it when Dr. Grande tackles the oldies. I definitely agree with the conclusion. I’d love to hear an analysis of the Louise Woodward case.

[@swannoir]

Oh yes, I second the Louise Woodward case.

[@dawneipeldauer-awanderingn825]

What about natalie wood that was a weird death

[@jeweliewaggitty8631]

@@dawneipeldauer-awanderingn825 he did one on her, I believe. I want him to do Chevy Chase, and several folks whose names I won't mention, but they are names and faces we all know, see often, and being mistreated/lied to/experimented on by.

[@carollawrence6461]

Didn't anyone back at the house wonder why he was wet?

[@augustovans]

I agree with your analysis! Ted Kennedy was responsible for Mary Jo's death, and should have been prosecuted. But having powerful friends helped him avoid the justice system. It is a sad story, especially for the parents of the young woman.

[@sarabechtler7921]

Status & power originated I believe from the Kennedy boys father. Kennedy Senior raised them as the untouchables you mentioned. Entitled, bulletproof, Elite & was controller of family. I am sure his influence was strong in protecting teddy as well. With the privilege upbringing they all had..it's astounding to me that John f Kennedy, Robert Kennedy had as much of a strong sense of equity for others in their political careers.

[@wwc51450]

They went through hell for the rest of their lives.

[@wwc51450]

@@sarabechtler7921 It seems rather hypocritical to me.

[@donnaross5105]

Agree but why did her parents not insist on an autopsy? One thing Dr. Grande leaves out is the possibility that MJK told him that she was pregnant. Could he have killed her thinking he might be the father… deliberately driving off the bridge leaving her to drown and not reporting the accident or seeking help?

[@scottwortham533]

Her parents stood by him all the way and kelp voteing democrat

[@cindybogart6062]

I think your absolutely right about this situation & Ted Kennedy. I wasn’t surprised this happened with him at all. I was surprised the he was able to keep his position in politics as he did. Just shows how much clout & money the Kennedy’s had. It’s just a sad story all the was around. Thanks for this.

[@Floppyearsmomma]

Thank you for this analysis. I did not know that he had spoken to others before going to the police. I think they should have also faced criminal charges.

[@marijo1951]

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the incident Dr Grande. His actions after the accident were breathtakingly self-serving and despicable. Whether or not the lights were on in the nearest house, no decent person would mind being woken up to help in such circumstances. What was new to me was that Ted Kennedy was such a mediocre student and known to be a cheat, as well as his earlier convictions for driving offences. No wonder he felt so entitled when he was accepted by Harvard after achieving Bs and Cs, and was allowed to go back there after being caught cheating. Was this the result of some huge donation from his family I wonder, because nobody else would have been given a second chance.

[@pamd6532]

The most tragic part of this to me is she may have suffocated. Even if you were drunk, this would have been a terribly frightening way to die.

[@lindap.p.1337]

I wish I had not heard this part.

[@Jonathanbegg]

It also meant that she could have been saved quite easily.

[@claudeabraham2347]

I remember reading that she suffocated. If that is true, then Ted exited his car before it went off the bridge. If Ted was in the car after it landed in the water, his only escape possible was opening his door. Had he done that, the car interior fills up with water. And Mary Jo surely drowns. If she actually suffocated, then Ted escaped from the car before it hit the water. Something to think about.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

I think she was prolly knocked unconcious in the crash OR was incapacitated by date rape drug prior..(this was same time period when bill cosby was drugging women). It's very suspicious that no autopsy was performed on her. That's insane. And a .09 alcohol level is not very high at all. It's like 3 beers. That's almost nothing. She wasn't drunk

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

@@claudeabraham2347 Were the windows open or closed? We don't know. It makes a big difference

[@charshroat5618]

Yes Dr. I agree with your thoughts wholeheartedly on that situation. An awful case of how money and power will generally have their way. Rip Mary Jo.

[@cherylbaker3353]

I also heard that they were able to prove that she lived for a few hours before she finally died she could’ve so easily been saved what a horrible way to go

[@claudiaploeger4792]

Dr Grande, I agree with 100%. I take issue with the judge’s words. A judge’s duty is to enforce the law. Instead he stated a philosophical response about Kennedy’s future of knowing he caused another person’s death. He should have gone to trial for involuntary manslaughter.

[@ellenvanous5078]

Yeah, if it was involuntary …???

[@BillyLapTop]

I remember when this happened. The judge was a political patsy who issued the get out of jail free card to Kennedy. However the real miscreants in all of this, was the electorate who ignored this episode and looked away and re-elected him numerous times. They had the power to convict him and did not. They aided and abetted his criminal actions on a gigantic scale.

[@donnaross5105]

@@BillyLapTop Why he was never POTUS.

[@dcasper8514]

Totally agree. Today's judges above the law .

[@georgemartin1436]

Yes, involuntary manslaughter seems appropriate to me...I don't think the fool intended to kill anyone but he needed to go to prison for that, like any of us would under the same circumstances.

[@andreajanota6258]

I’m thinking Mary Jo grabbed Rosemary’s purse by mistake probably.

[@TheTrevelyansway]

I think they went out just to have sex and we’re going to go back to the party but he crashed drunk into the water.

[@mmaranta785]

@@TheTrevelyansway Me too. Mary Jo was found not wearing any underwear. What might have happened is they were getting busy in the back seat, another car saw them, Ted could not be seen due to his career and being married, either he or she sped off in a hurry and went off the bridge.

[@tompaul2591]

Yes. Definitely. Why wouldn't you immediately call authorities, cops, fire, ems, whomever.

[@morganmadison366]

I had a much older friend in the 1990s who worked as a secret in Washington DC back then. She knew the young woman who was the roommate of this woman who died in the DUI accident. The roommate told my friend that Ted Kennedy used all the "I'm going to leave my wife and marry you, I just need time" story to Mary Jo.

[@CARDINAL701]

I always thought this incident was what kept Ted Kennedy from the Presidency.

[@caulkins69]

Unfortunately, it didn't stop the People's Republic of Massachusetts from continuing to elect him senator.

[@paulabuck5976]

@@caulkins69 That same People’s Republic also elected Governor Mitt Romney for a few terms. You can look it up….. I’m just saying. 🤷‍♀️

[@davenjahtisan]

I believe it did too. I remember when he started to run, the newspapers brought up this incident big time.

[@dcasper8514]

And rightly so.

[@mcgilldi]

@@caulkins69 look up 2 Massachusetts congressmen, Barney Frank and Gerry Studds

[@LisaD007]

Some people are above the law no matter how guilty they are. And the truth is that Joe Kennedy protected all of his children from the law. He had many many connections and he was a very corrupt man. This is probably the greatest example of how Joe Kennedy was able to protect one of his children from the consequences of their actions. Great job Dr. grande. I always enjoy your analysis. Keep up the great work. Someday it would be great to meet you at one of your conferences. Although I am an applied behavior analyst and these are the conferences that I go to the most often. However, maybe someday our paths will cross at a professional conference at some point. I would love the opportunity to meet you in person.

[@MrRaulstrnad]

Joe Kennedy was a totally evil man, in his businessman days he very likely ordered several murders and probably was an out-and-out rapist. Don't even mention the Nazi ties. At the time of Chappaquiddick he was living with the consequences of a major stroke which deprived him off the ability to speak thus his ability to cover up scandals was severely limited. As a consequence, Chappaquiddick was severely mishandled and blew up in their faces. Just think; Chappaquiddick is the scandal we know about, what horrors were probably covered up when Joe Kennedy was in his prime.

[@susanfox6666]

Thank you, Dr. Grande. Very good. This made a huge impression on me back in the day. Everyone seemed to do all they could to give this jerk a pass.

[@cardinalflower6959]

Theory #3 makes the most sense to me. I think Ted's anticipated liaison was with Rosemary K. I don't believe either of them knew Mary Jo K was in the car until the following morning. I keep hoping Rosemary will spill the beans before she dies. RIP Mary Jo.

[@Seabasstien]

Yes I am curious how Rosemary's purse was in the car and Rosemary wasn't there also, was she ever interviewed? Did Mary Jo pick up Rosemary's purse by mistake, highly unlikely, women might forget their purse but also unlikely and the fact Mary Jo was in the backseat supports 3 people who were probably drunk. One thing is clear is really bad judgment and a cover up the lack of which might have saved Mary Jo's life.

[@lnc-to4ku]

"Ted's only objective was to protect his own political career." So true and so disgusting, even more unforgivable, was that he suffered no consequences for being responsible for the death of a young womans life! Such a great analysis, Dr. Grande! Also loved the subtle wit throughout! ;D

[@kennethsouthard6042]

More importantly, the family needed to protect and preserve the Kennedy legacy. There were also many people that made a good living and were in high positions of power that fed off the Kennedy's as well. However, due to this incident in many ways it died a slow death, as it no longer has the mystique and dynastic powers it once did. Those powers may have continued to this day had this incident not occurred. Ted Kennedy would probably have been elected president in 1976 and stayed in office through 84. No telling how many other relatives and associates would have continued to progress after that. Alternatively, had he gone down for manslaughter, the legend would have died a quick and ugly death in 1969 just a year after Bobby and 5 years after Jack were assassinated.

[@maryogie1941]

Mediocre student gets into Harvard. Being a Kennedy has its advantages.

[@eadweard.]

I don't think that's what actually happened. He was rejected from Harvard Law and had to go to Virginia.

[@maryogie1941]

@@eadweard. I was just repeating what Dr Grande said about the mediocre grades in the beginning of video. Maybe I misunderstood him.

[@eadweard.]

@@maryogie1941 Yeah he went to Harvard college (undergrad) but didn't get good enough results to proceed to Harvard Law (graduate) so had to do law at Virginia. It's a bit confusing.

[@Jonathanbegg]

I remember a mediocre student getting into Yale, and going to become a 2-term President. Dubwa!

[@susankeith326]

​@@maryogie1941You didn't misunderstand. After he left Harvard the first time he went in military. Afterward he reapplied, but was not accepted . That's when he enrolled at the University of Virginia.

[@Robert-bk1dm]

Also was involved in treasonous activities with Russia in the 1980s. And yet he was never punished for these acts. Peace out.

[@paulbroderick8438]

None of the Kennedy men had put in a hard day's physical work in their lives. Money, position and arrogance had protected them in all 'situations'. RIP Mary Jo.

[@BucketHeadianHagg]

I only recently became interested in this story. I had no idea that this strange and terrible thing happened. Thank you for doing this one, Dr Grande

[@BucketHeadianHagg]

I loved your opinion of his guilt/innocence, his attitude,, and some historical details surrounding the people involved.

[@jonibrown6864]

You youngans😉just kidding. Yes i would hear things growing up then later in life get the details. He got away bc of money and NAME

[@jacobr1671]

Yeah, there was even a movie about it. But only after Ted died.

[@greyone40]

Dr. Grande has packed quite a bit of information into this short video. If you want to read more, I recommend the book "Death at Chappaquiddick" by Richard and Thomas Tedrow. They give it extensive coverage, and there is a lot of original testimony included.

[@BucketHeadianHagg]

@@greyone40 excellent comment! I'm very interested in the book. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@sherryberry3902]

You nailed it. I remember this tragic incident. Everyone pretty much knew what happened..He is responsible for her death. He acted in a very cowardly and selfish manner. He used the Kennedy name and influence to avoid any actions being taken against himself. It did kill his chances for ever being President. We all knew the awful truth. .

[@cynthiatolman326]

All the while they considered how he could get away with it. I personally think he was drunk and drove off the bridge and then didn't report it because he was drunk and spent time with his cronies to try and figure out how he could get out of it. All the while she was suffocating in the car. Yes, he never thought of it as a 'big deal'. She was expendable. There's Kennedy's and everyone else.

[@sparkle4237]

This is heartbreaking! It was as if her life didn’t matter because he was rich. An autopsy should have been done.

[@Relayer56]

The story goes that at the party Mary Jo told Ted she was pregnant by him. She asked, "What are we going to do?" Ted replied, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

[@scnurse]

"Ted wanted quality time alone w/ Mary Jo for the purposes of romance." Doc Grande is so polite.

[@ynp1978]

I know! I would have said "he wanted to stroke her senseless out on the beach"!

[@Jonathanbegg]

I wish others were. We all know what he meant, but spared us the unnecessary embarrassment.

[@mmaranta785]

She was found wearing no underwear, so that tells you something right there

[@KSparks80]

He later taught Bill Clinton his signature "romantic" move. They later named it "Bill & Ted's Sexual Adventure". lol

[@TheGweedMan]

Unbelievable that he ever actually became an attorney. He barely made it and yet was elected to the senate so many times. What a terrible tragedy for that young woman Mary Jo.

[@lenorevelez6563]

You are so close to reaching 1million subscribers. My Christmas wish to you, Dr. Grande, is for you to reach over 1million subs if not by Christmas but before the end of this year. You deserve it for all the great videos you produce.

[@JHjh88]

I really enjoyed this Dr Grande. The Boiler Room Girls worked so hard to achieve the Kennedy's goels, yet their lives meant little to nothing to these powerful men. I'm Australian & have no vested interest in US politics. Thank you again for this upload.

[@willnill7946]

What makes me angry is no one wanted to talk about this when he was alive. This wasn’t some question of being inappropriate, there was a dead body that everyone was trying to excuse away

[@benfaunce7496]

An old relative of mine was a Navy Hospital Liason and took Ted around to visit wounded sailors back in the day. He said one such sailor was laid up, covered in bandages and when Ted asked him what happened to him he said "well I had a few drinks one night and took a girl home until I got to a bridge and drove off it..." at which point Ted angrily stormed out.

[@DaringDaver]

This, Exactly ^^^

[@IrritatedOnion]

this was definitely talked about. this scared his entire legacy and was brought up all the time by his opponents. its also one of the big reasons why he could never become president.

[@willnill7946]

@@IrritatedOnion didn’t effect his senate elections. Didn’t stop him coming on tv to talk about issues of the day. Didn’t stop him from being invited to social functions. But it stopped the brother of a former president from becoming president himself. Such punishment. I also blame the girls family for taking the money

[@sandrasanders706]

@@benfaunce7496 WOW!!!!

[@6ECF01]

MaryJo said to Teddy "I'm scared, what will we do if I get pregnant". Teddy told her "Don't worry we'll take care of that bridge when we get to it"

[@georgeeverette3912]

He is buried in Arlington cemetery for his very short time in the Army. He started his service in a school for military intelligence when he was suddenly dropped from the program. Something to do with inappropriate actions with a female soldier. He was then transferred into a ceremonial guard unit where he was essentially lawn furniture at NATO dinner parties and change of command ceremonies. For his service here he was buried with the greatest heroes that this nations has. If I ever go there I will be sure to put a white chicken feather on his grave to show my respect for his service to this nation.

[@bwktlcn]

My mom remembers that initially Mary Jo’s parents were very vocal about finding out what happened, why there was not an immediate notification to police that Mary Jo was in a submerged car, prosecuting Ted for at least manslaughter, etc....and then, suddenly, they were very quiet. No more calls for an investigation, it was just an accident. She said everyone at the time figured there had been $$$$ (beyond the mentioned money), threats or both to make her family go away.

[@terrideutsch6820]

My father's employee and her husband were friends of Mary Jo's parents. She was their only child and their life. They were completely devastated and were ready to fight to the end for justice for their daughter. The Kennedys thru intermediaries threatened them not too subtedly and they accepted $100,000 (I think) to shut up and go away. They did! This case disgusts me to this day . I used to gag when I saw Ted on tv for years.

[@gbonkers666]

They were paid off.

[@janecoe9407]

WELLL THEY GOT MONEY ACCORDING TO DR GRANDE...

[@austinteutsch]

Just check the bank account of Mary Jo's parents. The $90K and the insurance $50 was on top of the table. Who knows how much was to then under the table.

[@gbonkers666]

@@austinteutsch same thing happened to the family of the girl that Joseph Kennedy (bobby's son) maimed in a car crash. Bought off the family).

[@Kissmymezuzah]

I remember that Mary Jo was reportedly pregnant with Ted's child. We knew then, that pay offs were going to be the biggest part of this incident. From that time,and then every time since then, when I saw him on TV, I wondered about his conscience...or the lack of one. And the lack of shame. Money doesn't just talk, it gurgles the blood from anyone who gets in it's way...

[@micheleparker8123]

So true!

[@sidneycat432]

When Mary Jo told Ted she was pregnant, he said that we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

[@deborah9775]

If she was preg. the autopsy,tissues & blood test would have shown up. Pay offs been ongoing for quite a while with several repub/trumplican party!

[@csckitty]

@@deborah9775 @6:43 it was stated no autopsy was done.

[@ninaappelt9001]

The Kennedy pockets ran deep.

[@rpc717]

He was smart enough to commit his atrocity during the Apollo 11 landing. It was news, but not THE news story of the day. At any other time this would have been one of those in-your-face news stories that really stays with people.

[@lisaroy551]

Thank you for the succinct and honest evaluation. The last couple of sentences is absolutely what I believe. His career was far more important that the life of Mary Jo. My mom even knew it back when it happened, without the internet. Truth revealed itself in those days. Shameful.

[@synthiamcbride7194]

I was in 9th grade when this happened. Most adults I remember talking about this were appalled by Kennedy's actions and the lack of legal penalties. The spell of "Camelot" and the shock of the deaths RFK and MLK, Jr., along with the wealth and political power of the Kennedy family prevailed and Mary Jo did not get justice.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Sadly, I remember an article about 10 or so years ago where a "supposed" friend of Mary Jo stated that she (Mary Jo) that she was so dedicated to the causes of what Ted was fighting for that she would have been okay with him getting off and being able to keep up that fight vs. him losing his seat over it, even though it meant that she was sacrificed in the process.

[@michael-m]

This one has always made me sick thinking about it

[@AnneBoleyn-qg5pj]

I found you hysterical this morning and I love your honesty!

[@brianjones7660]

Dominic Arena was police chief there, and said his divers told him that had they been called as soon as Kennedy could have, they would have gotten her out of the car alive, with the air pocket they saw. Criminal negligence, period.

[@WoodlandPoetry]

Thank you for another good one, Doctor! I'm glad you covered so much. I remember this only as a garbled mess and did watch his speech on television. The one thing that had somehow burned itself into my brain was that within a month, his wife Joan suffered a miscarriage. She was an alcoholic, and I can't imagine that this incident helped her very much. Thanks again! 👍🏻

[@cottontails9003]

Great analysis Dr Grande. This seems like an entitled, rich man. It shouldn't have mattered that he was a Kennedy, he still was involved in this woman drowning. I agree he should at least been charged with manslaughter. My sympathy goes to the family of Mary Jo. Thank you Dr Grande. Great analysis and topic.

[@MrRaulstrnad]

Yes indeed, he obviously pulled political strings to escape an obvious and well-deserved manslaughter conviction but frightening that a man of his arrogance actually ran for President later, thinking that people forgot or forgave about his evasion of responsibility at Chappaquiddick.

[@uscitizen7665]

You will find Mary Jo was in the early stages of pregnancy with Ted's baby and Ted decided to take matters into his own hands. Why else was there not an autopsy? Most unattended deaths required to have one.

[@Mutasis_Mutandis]

No proof of that. Sounds like gossip.

[@renee1961]

To this day, I can't believe she was left in the car!💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏

[@ammie8659]

Can you believe that Kennedy's constituents voted him into Congress over and over again after this happened? Well, they do say that people get the government they deserve.

[@mariannewaseem2484]

Excellent analysis. Well done.

[@melrei64]

Dr Grande, you're awesome! You are able to inject humor into the most grisly topics without being distasteful or inappropriate. That's skills.....

[@greglapointe1311]

Good analysis, I completely agree. I remember when this happened and it seems the only people who were fooled by Ted were the people in the justice system. I always felt that poor Mary Jo never got her justice.

[@julievorensky8250]

You got this one right. His behavior was despicable at every turn.

[@gary_rumain_you_peons]

I'm rewatching this again after 2 years. So Teddy was about as bright as Bidumb. Both last in their class. One thing never mentioned was whether his clothes were still wet by the time he returned to the party house. July is middle of Summer but would the nights be warm enough to dry off his wet clothes in that time? Presumably, if he did drive off the bridge, he would have gotten wet. Surely someone at the party would have noticed this.

[@maureencage1972]

Oh Man! I wanted to jump off a bridge into a muddy pond just listening to this analysis of the incident. Absolutely brilliant as ever - I love your work and exquisitely wry, astute humour Dr. Grande! 🇬🇧