Kennedy Smith

Although NBC News and the New York Times are among the media outlets that have named the woman who told police she was raped by Sen. Edward Kennedy's nephew, William Kennedy Smith, about three-fourths of the callers to SUNDIAL yesterday said the woman should not be named, nor should her picture be published.Of 406 callers, 295, or 73 percent, said the woman's name should not be published, while 111, or 27 percent, said the name should be published. Of 404 callers, 318, or 79 percent, said the woman's picture should not be published, while 86, or 21 percent, said it should.

Although not permitted in Maryland's courts, both TV and still cameras are allowed to be used by news media in Florida courtrooms. The questioning of prospective jurors in the Florida rape trial of William Kennedy Smith has been televised by national news networks in the past week. Portions of the rape trial itself may eventually be seen on TV.The Evening Sun wants to know what you think of cameras in the courtroom.To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County)

More than two-thirds of callers to SUNDIAL say they are not watching live TV coverage of the William Kennedy Smith rape trial, but most say they have seen video footage on TV news shows.Of 478 callers, 319, or 66.7 percent, say they are not watching the live trial, while 159 (33 percent) say they are. Of 476 callers, nearly 80 percent, or 379 callers, have seen TV news footage, and 97 callers (20 percent) say they haven't.In a close vote, 239 of 468 callers, or 51 percent, say the identity of the alleged rape victim should be withheld, and 229 callers, nearly 49 percent, say it should be revealed.

Now that "The Cosby Show" has taped its final episode, let it be said the show was indeed a good thing, very positive, inspiring, constructive and wholesome ... but ... really, wouldn't a tiny, just barely perceptible streak of perversity, have made it more interesting?Advertising Age asked its readers for piquant themes for "The Cosby Show" and they pounded out:* Mike Tyson, William Kennedy Smith and Clarence Thomas, guest-starring as themselves, gang up on Rudy on the playground during recess and beat her up.* Dr. Huxtable buys a Harley, joins the Hell's Angels, becomes known as "Dr. Death" and terrorizes Doogie Howser.

Until recently, I didn't think it was possible to feel sorry for a Kennedy.These days they seem less a family than a giant therapy group.F. Scott Fitzgerald could have been writing about the Kennedys when he wrote ". . .they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."Ted Kennedy is probably the most powerful voice for liberal causes in America today.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Prosecutors are hinting strongly that a grand jury would meet today to debate possible obstruction charges against one or more house guests at the Kennedy family estate over Easter weekend.Jack Freese, spokesman for the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office, offered the tip in an interview yesterday.tTC The obstruction inquiry stems from complaints by Palm Beach ** police that they were misled when they tried to interview William Kennedy Smith one day after a woman accused him of rape.

William Kennedy Smith is not exactly a household name, but the allegation that a member of the country's most well-known family raped a Florida woman last Easter has certainly generated an unusual amount of publicity.The latest twist in the case came earlier this week when prosecutors filed detailed statements from three women -- one of whom claimed that Smith raped her in 1988 and two others who say he sexually attacked them. Prosecutors say they will use the women's testimony to impeach Smith's credibility if he takes the witness stand.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The judge in William Kennedy Smith's trial on rape charges said last night that Mr. Smith's lawyers violated state laws in obtaining the alleged victim's medical records and ordered them not to use the records in the trial that begins next week.That could deal a blow to the defense, which hoped to make an issue of the Florida woman's medical history, including abortions and use of prescription drugs. Even more significant, since much of that testimony already has been barred or is expected to be barred, is Judge Mary Lupo's condemnation of defense tactics in obtaining the records.

Jean Kennedy Smith, a sister of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., is President Clinton's choice for ambassador to Ireland, according to a source close to the selection process.Mr. Clinton is expected to announce Ms. Smith's nomination on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, after he meets at the White House with Prime Minister Arnold Reynolds of Ireland, the source said. However, other congressional sources close to the process said yesterday that they had not been notified of the nomination.If Ms. Smith, 65, is nominated, the appointment would be seen TC as a political favor to Mr. Kennedy, who supported Mr. Clinton during the presidential campaign and who is expected to support Mr. Clinton's efforts to reform health care.