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Skakel's family, former tutor expected to testify at murder trial

Michael Skakel

NORWALK, Connecticut (CNN) -- Michael Skakel's brother and father are expected to testify at his trial next month for the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley, Skakel family lawyer Emmanuel Margolis said.

Michael's older brother, Thomas, once a prime suspect in the beating death of Moxley, will take the stand in the high-profile trial.

Michael Skakel, 41, was arrested in January 2000 for the 1975 murder of Moxley when they were both 15 years old and neighbors. Moxley was found bludgeoned to death with a golf club outside her home in the affluent Greenwich community of Bell Haven.

Jury selection begins April 2 in Norwalk. The trial was moved there last month after authorities determined that construction on the Stamford courthouse would not be completed by then. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin May 7.

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Michael Skakel's father, Rushton, is also expected to be called by prosecutors. Asked about Rushton's mental state, Margolis said Rushton has a "frontal lobe problem" that impairs his "cognitive functions."

Margolis represented Thomas Skakel more than 25 years ago during the original investigation. After a one-judge grand jury named Michael Skakel the chief suspect, Margolis submitted Thomas' hair samples to prosecutors in an effort to have him cleared. But state prosecutors have not done so.

Last month, prosecutors requested DNA samples from Michael Skakel, according to his attorney, Mickey Sherman. Although Sherman agreed to comply with the request, prosecutors quickly withdrew it for unspecified reasons.

Martha Moxley

Also on the witness list is Ken Littleton, the former Skakel tutor who was an early suspect in the case, had an alibi and cooperated with authorities. He was granted immunity after testifying before a grand jury whose investigation led to the arrest of Michael Skakel in January, 2000.

"He's historically maintained his innocence and continues to do so today," said Littleton's attorney, Gene Riccio. "This thing has obviously been a traumatic event for him. While I don't think this will be a pleasant experience for him, he will testify if asked."

After several judicial rulings, including a decision to move the case from juvenile to adult court, the trial appears headed to begin as scheduled.

Margolis is also on the prosecution witness list, but said he expects attorney-client privilege to preclude him from testifying.