Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-Up

by Leo Damore

Written by a reporter who originally covered the case, this work details how Kennedy and his attorneys were able to quash the investigation into the accident and resulting death of Mary Jo Kopechne

Genres: History, True Crime, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography, Crime, American History

552 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 1989

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive, long winded, and boring. I didn't know much about Chappaquiddick but being a Kennedyophile I decided to read this to learn more. I didn't really learn anything. The author didn't really delve too deeply into what happened. It was more about the Deputy Sheriff and the District Attorney. The victim Mary Jo Kopechne is barely mentioned at all. The author takes all the theories and combines them into one.

Theory #1 Senator Ted Kennedy left with Kopechne to have sex, didn't see the bridge and went off it. Saved himself and left her to die.
Theory #2 Senator Kennedy wasn't driving or in the car at all. He for some reason took the blame.
Theory #3 Senator Kennedy was drunk drove off the bridge left her to die to save his career.

The author offers all these theories as being true at the same time and then a few chapters later says none of those theories are true. I was very confused while reading this. I don't know anymore about Chappaquiddick than when I started. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge: A Book You Bought on a Trip.

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senator Ted Kennedy accidently drove off the Dike Bridge on Chappaquiddick with passenger Mary Jo Kopechne. He escaped the car, she did not. This was tragic enough but Ted Kennedy, the fourth of the Kennedy sons, beloved by Americans and a "shoo-in" for the Presidency, DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO GET HELP FROM EMERGENCY SERVICES OR REPORT THIS ACCIDENT FOR OVER 9 HOURS!! He attempts to rescue her, he gets his friends to attempt to rescue her, he swims to Edgartown and attempts to establish an alibi and act in a normal manner. Why does he do this? The speculation is that he had been drinking and, certainly there were questions about why he had Mary Jo in his car in the first place. Basically it looks like he ran from his responsibility and left his friends to clean up the mess. He was used to having things fixed and arranged for him. So, there is that. Then there is the police investigations. Please. There is incompetence, there is obstruction of justice. Listen to this: DA Edmund Dinis says later (after he obstructs the Grand Jury from doing its job) "There's no question in my mind the Grand Jury would have indicted Ted Kennedy for involuntary manslaughter if I had given them the case."
The story is sad, and I think it is still relevant and important. Ted's accident was probably the result of running and sadly he just kept on running for the rest of his life. Did he have a better life without self and community respect because he got to be a Senator and did not go to jail or shame his family with an overt admission of his wrong-doings? Those were his choices as I understand them. He must of thought it was worth it, he was not innately a courageous human being.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only had bare bones info on Chappapquiddick, but always thought Kennedy "got away with one." This amazing and comprehensive book illustrates the cronyism, incompetence and often outright criminal behavior of our elected officials, judges and police departments. Told in a strictly reportorial way, this chilling story almost reads like a novel (sort of Tom Wolfe without the sound effects--downfall of a powerful man). I highly recommend this book for anyone with a connection to Massachusetts.

[Steve Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book but keeps looking for the real facts when the real facts are there for everyone to see: Ted Kennedy drove a car into the water, saved himself but left a young girl to die. Then he waited till the next morning to inform the authorities, by which time there was definitely no hope for the girl. The incident spelled the end of Kennedy's presidential hopes. Well written and researched.

[G Ream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Kennedy - great statesman???? I think otherwise. A slimy politician whose wealth and privilege got him off the hook more times than......

[Robert Lukins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily the best of all the terrible books on Chappaquiddick I've read; the most exhaustive and exhausting. The Kennedys truly were perfect American monsters.

[Christopher Hivner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book I only knew the bare bones facts about what happened at Chappaquiddick. Senatorial Privilege gave me more information than I knew existed about this tragic event. It's a very well written and fast paced account, encompassing the before during and after from multiple view points. While its true that a lot of the information is conversations which the author obviously can't prove were translated verbatim, there is enough more concrete evidence to prove that Senator Kennedy left the scene of the accident, didn't report it for nearly 10 hours and then used all of his family's influence and power to cover it up. There is also plenty of evidence of one of the worst run investigations done by the police I've ever heard of. It seems that everyone involved was either incompetent or on the take for the Kennedys. I was also struck by how much of the public was on record as feeling bad for Senator Kennedy. No one, it seems, was concerned for the poor girl who was dead. Senatorial Privilege is a thorough accounting of the accident, the subsequent botched investigation and the cover-up. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to read the 500-page expanded edition and could not get through it. I have since come into receipt of the smaller original version, 112 pages long. I liked it much better. It covered all the bases without bogging down in what I would consider unnecessary details.

[Michelle Elledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who doesn't know the truth about the Kennedys should read this book. It puts a lot into perspective about the cover up and how much leg work the police had to go through.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It will never cease to amaze me what the rich, powerful, and (in this case also politically connected) can get away with doing.

[Linda Lipko]

Insightful book which sheds a glaring light on a very flawed man who, in this instance was not a leader, but a selfish little boy who left a person alive to die a very slow death.

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo Damore is the author of another crime novel 'The Crimes of Sheridan' which I have read. However, at the time when I was buying this book, that fact was not in my mind. Senatoria Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover Up demonstrates the influence which those in power have on the investigations and prosecution of crimes in America.

In my opinion it is not fair to refer to the death of Mary Jo, senator Kennedy's secretary as a cover up. The title is also ambiguous since it does not state who was the person behind the cover up. If am to give my take on the issue, I woild conclude that Senator Kennedy was the one the author is referring to. Despite being present and witnessing the accident involving his vehicle and which killed his secretary Mary Jo, Senator Kennedy failed to report the incident to the police or call for any help.

Later, the Senator pleaded guilty to a minor offence of failing to report an accident. The big question was whether the Senator could be charged with a more serious offence of manslaughter. The then District Attorney didn't think so. He repeatedly refused to order a post-morterm to be performed on the body of Mary Jo. Edmund Dinis only made this decision after the deceased was buried. His application was denied and the court refused to order an exhumation of the decesed body stating that it was satisfied that there was no other cause of death apart from drowning. An inquest was later conducted to try and determine whether there was anyone responsoble for the death of the deceased. Though the Senator succeeded, his political career did not do as well.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed a little dated but was a blow by blow account of the incompetence of the initial investigation and the influence Kennedy wielded in Massachusetts in order to avoid letting out the real story of Chappaquiddick. For those who might be lawyers or like reading about legal technicalities, this book will be very interesting. It got a little tedious at times. Has a lot of good notes. Luckily there was a list of characters in the book because there were a million names. Maddeningly, you are left with the impression that Kennedy might have killed Kopechne before the accident because she might have been pregnant, and that she would have lived had Kennedy contacted police immediately.

[Duane Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The insanity of this case is beyond angering. God only knows what Kennedy got away with. I'm thankful this book named names, as Kennedy wasn't the only criminal responsible for sins against humanity in this case. From the prosecution to the cops, from the defense to the judge, the neglect for the rule of law was blatant.
The dynasty is dead and no Kennedy should ever be inflated to the level Ted and his brothers were, ever again. They lived life above the law. The book was outstanding. The subject matter left a bitter taste.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one but James Michener, Stephen King or John D MacDonald should be allowed to write 500+ page books. This was very well researched, but dry and repetitious. Nothing new, he got away with a terrible crime and certainly wasn’t presidential material (not that Trump is). I skimmed over because I lived through this and was familiar with the outcome.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did not learn any more than Ialready knew. This book just left me with Enron more questions and no answers.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I was young when Senator Ted Kennedy drove off the bridge, it was interesting to learn events and dynamics. I can't say the book changed my view but, did change my perspective of the legal system. Sigh, so many games it reminded me of working in Corporate Management. I.e. the higher you go, the more complicated the scenario. Chappaquiddick was not a complicated crime yet ego's dominated and stalled court resolution.... just like a hot potato, no one wanted to catch :-| My take away is: collusion, corruption and loop-holes do not promise justice. PS: This case a perfect study re: too many cooks in the kitchen. Additionally, a perfect representation of how the press deviates and manipulates. Fiction couldn't create a worse operation of our local police, State Police, DA's, Coroners, Defense Lawyers, Consulting Lawyers and witnesses.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like thorough journalism, deep digs, and angles on top of angles, then this is your beat. I'm not really into any of that stuff, but that's aight; it was still a really impressive - almost obsessive, actually - piece of writing. Damore is merciless with facts and evidence and testimonies and alla that. I am looking forward to the movie - I think it will lend some human balance to this possibly overly-harsh portrait of Teddy K.

[Amy Plitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very powerful book. It definitely ignited in me the anger Americans must have felt when this event occurred. It shows the power of the government--the "other" side of the power. Very scary. The only justice I felt at the end of the book was that I know he's now getting what he deserves and truly answering for this crime.

[Thomas Logsdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really opened my eyes to the deception & use of political influence by Ted Kennedy, not to mention his severe drinking problem. I read this as a teen, and have determined that non-fiction is so much more interesting than fiction. It was a great read!

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book confirmed my opinion of Edward Kennedy. I'm so glad he never became President of the US. I was pleased to read here that the media really hounded him after the "accident" on Chappaquiddick. Where is that media now?

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a travesty how Kennedy got away with at the very least manslaughter. Not only did he escape conviction but he continued to get re-elected for the next 30 years. Pretty sick!!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sad indictment of the American political scene... That somebody could be involved in this tragedy and not go before the court.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed (maybe too detailed?) account of the Chappaquiddick car accident that derailed Ted Kennedy's career.

[Melissa K.]

Very sad, but I always wanted to know more about what happened.

[Stanley Kowalski]

I read this book over twenty years ago and remember thinking for years afterwards, how could Ted Kennedy even possibly live with himself, as a result of his conscience? He was definitely damaged as a public figure. In fact, it cost him any and all future possibilities of running for president. 

  And yet he and his campaign staff and advisors all knew it. Although, quite ironically, he did go on to serve in the US Senate for almost forty years after that, (thirty-eight to be exact) which means he was continuously re-elected into office as a senator. Joan Kennedy never forgave him from that day onward. How could she? After all, people were talking. In fact, that incident at Chappaquiddick was just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. 

  What made things so much more uncomfortable and highly embarrassing was, whether through her own decision, or pure pressure from the Kennedy compound, no doubt reluctantly accompanied Ted Kennedy to Mary Jo Kopechne's funeral. Judging by the press photos, the tension between them both was apparently unbearable.

The press was having a field day with this. There was obviously a lot of explaining to do- in private, with his wife Joan, who was pregnant at that time, as well as with his immediate family members, one being his father Joe Kennedy and with the public also. 

  And yet, how incredibly and deeply humiliating for Joan Kennedy. She knew all along what the media had long suspected about Ted Kennedy's extramarital affairs with other women. The truth about him finally began to surface (no pun intended) as a result of the Chappaquiddick accident. It was just an uncomfortable scenario all around, no matter which way you look at it.

There were just way too many lies and inconsistencies that Leo Damore dug up through meticulous and thorough investigation of his own. In fact, the contents of the book did a better job than any of the police homicide detectives at the scene of the accident, or while questioning Kennedy himself and all his party guests.

There was an obvious obstruction of justice throughout the investigation by Ted Kennedy himself. The district attorney at the time didn't even give the case to the grand jury, for further investigation and possible criminal indictment. 

  Which means Ted Kennedy's strong political influence, along with his wealth and privilege got him off the hook. He was obviously well politically connected. It appears that nobody could keep their stories or lies straight during the police investigation.

Mary Jo Kopechne slipped out late at night, unnoticed with Senator Ted Kennedy. Yet, Kennedy told police investigators later the following day that he "offered to drive Mary Jo Kopechne back to catch the last ferry back to Edgartown," which we all know now was complete and utter bullshit. 

  You see, there was no ferry back to Edgartown at that time of night. And he knew that. He obviously lied to police investigators. And Mary Jo Kopechne didn't even mention to the other girls at the cabin that she was supposedly leaving for the night, to catch the last ferry back to Edgartown, nor did she even mention to her closest friends that she was temporarily leaving the party by discreetly slipping out the back door with Ted Kennedy, (obviously to have sex with him in the car somewhere). This could account for why she left her purse and keys behind. She had obviously intended to return back to the party later that night.

Incidentally, Joan Kennedy had a miscarriage after that and Joe Kennedy died four months later. No doubt, the stress, coupled with the dishonor towards the family, plus the deep shame which it brought on the Kennedy family, obviously contributed to an early grave for Joe Kennedy. Many speculated that both incidents, the miscarriage plus Joe Kennedy's death were as a result of what happened that night in Chappaquiddick.  

  I have always commended Leo Damore for his diligent work in writing this book, and for uncovering facts and damaging evidence which supported his theories regarding implied deception and continuous inconsistencies in various statements that somehow just didn't add up.

In other words, Senator Ted Kennedy was nothing but a chronic liar. No wonder the book went onto become a national bestseller. Whether intentionally, or unintentionally, it exposed him for what he really was.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The copy of this book I had was a shorter version, I for some reason didn't find the right edition but it was only about 120 pages long.
This case had popped up into a few things I had seen recently so when this book passed by in front of me I knew I had to read it. It is a bit short so I knew it would probably be a quick read. I went on vacation after I started it (and I didn't take it) so it took me a bit longer to finish it, as I set it aside and didn't pick it up right away when I came back.
I knew reading this would make me mad and or frustrated. The author does a great job of presenting mainly evidence, there is a bit of opinion. It is unfathomable how you could drive your car into the water and then somehow go back to your hotel and not call any cops/firemen/any trained officials for help. One official states, "Had the alarm been sounded, 'I would have been there in three minutes. And my volunteers and half the people on the island would have shown up within 15 minutes,' (Fire Captain Foster Silva said)." (p. 35). You can read the story and start out thinking oh man too much happened, he was drunk, lost control; it was a tragedy. The more you read the more you are like holy cow how did he not even get manslaughter? second degree? One line that is poignant, from the beginning of the book, "Hewitt was highly critical of Senator Kennedy's report of the accident. He said, 'You tell me, is Kennedy finished? Or are they going to paper this over with $20 bills?'"(p. 38). One of the things that was crazy was that this was not Kennedy's first vehicle incident. He had been cited? license suspended? after he had been drunk driving. Somehow this man got away with it and his last name was probably the main factor. I'm glad Kennedy was kept from running for president. It is actually a bit funny that he thinks people would forget this death attached to him. It's hard to condense my thoughts on all the things I read in this book because just because. Take time to read it, I wouldn't mind having a discussion about it.


"Senator Kennedy confronted a legal dilemma: A not guilty plea required a trail, which could uncover damaging evidence against him. A guilty plea avoided a public inquisition and further revelations of wrong-doing, but made him liable to a possible jail term and provided an admission on the record that was one element required to prove manslaughter, should that charge be subsequently brought against him under Welansky"(p. 43).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senatorial Privilege by Leo Damore is a story about how a senator was involved in deadly crash on his way back from a party that took the life of a woman he was with. Leo Damore was an author from Canada and he committed suicide in 1995.
The night that the crash happened, the senator fled the scene and did not report it. The story mostly focused on the District Attorney and the Deputy Sheriff rather than the girl who died. The senator wasn't injured to the point to where it would justify him not reporting the accident. Senator Ted Kennedy reportedly accidentally drove off the bridge killing his passenger. The District Attorney said later, "There's no question in my mind the Grand Jury would have indicted Ted Kennedy for involuntary manslaughter if I had given them the case." Ted Kennedy got away with murder and that is an ending I just can't come to terms with. Why would they protect the life of Ted Kennedy?
I found the book very repetitive and hard to follow. All the theories that I had for what happened to cause the accident were wrong. I was very confused with the author's misleads and am still unsure what was trying to be communicated. I would not recommend this book because personally I didn't think it was very good. If that had been anyone else they would have been convicted of the crime committed. It shouldn't matter whether he is Ted Kennedy or not.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are no shortages of cover-ups pertaining to the Kennedy clan. JFK's killing in Dallas was subject to a massive governmental cover-up that has buried the facts of conspiracy behind his assassination into the 21st century. Likewise the murder of brother Bobby in 1968.
The Chappaquiddick cover-up was a conspiracy of silence, orchestrated from the Kennedy compound to save the political career of Edward Kennedy. A deafening silence that also stretched into the 21st century.
Leo Damore's 'Senatorial Privilege' (1988) documents the tragedy that resulted in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne on July 19th 1969, and the slow demise of a political dynasty. The publication of Ted Kennedy's memoir in 2009, 'True Compass' maintains the lies of Chappaquiddick....even the title of the chapter that covers the incident is 'The Shock of Silence'.
In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel.
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level,
and that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
and that even the nobles get properly handled.
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom.

[John Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Chappaquiddick is one where the truth was never fully exposed, but most people think they know what happened. Mary Jo Kopechne lost her life and Ted Kennedy escaped without any real consequences. However, in “Chappaquiddick,” Leo Damore introduces a mountain of new information about what transpired on that fateful night, which will cause many people to rethink what they “know” about Chappaquiddick.

There are new insights from Joe Gargan and Phil Markham, who were both present on Dike Bridge on the night of the incident. Ted Kennedy kept them both quiet for decades under a strict interpretation of the attorney-client privilege. They provide startling insights into why Ted Kennedy delayed reporting the accident to the police. Chappaquiddick was an incident where it became clear to people that there are two sets of rules and laws: one for the privileged and powerful, and one for the rest of us. Damore’s book is comprehensive, ground-breaking, and a thorough joy to read throughout!