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Trial lawyer for Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel is challenged on trips but defends his work

Associated Press
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Michael Skakel, right, listens to testimony from his former defense attorney Mickey Sherman at Skakel's habeas corpus hearing at Rockville Superior Court in Vernon, Conn., on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Skakel’s latest appeal trial began Tuesday with his former lawyer defending an accusation that he failed to competently defend Skakel when he was convicted of murder in 2002. (AP Photo/The Stamford Advocate, Jason Rearick, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Michael Skakel listens to testimony from former defense attorney Mickey Sherman at Skakel's habeas corpus hearing at Rockville Superior Court in Vernon, Conn., on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Skakel’s latest appeal trial began Tuesday with his former lawyer defending an accusation that he failed to competently defend Skakel when he was convicted of murder in 2002. (AP Photo/The Stamford Advocate, Jason Rearick, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Michael Skakel listens to testimony from his former defense attorney Mickey Sherman at Skakel's habeas corpus hearing at Rockville Superior Court in Vernon, Conn., on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Skakel’s latest appeal trial began Tuesday with his former lawyer defending an accusation that he failed to competently defend Skakel when he was convicted of murder in 2002. (AP Photo/The Stamford Advocate, Jason Rearick, Pool) (The Associated Press)

An attorney for Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel accused the lawyer who represented him at his murder trial of having a good time making trips around the country instead of preparing for the case.

Lawyer Michael Sherman took the stand Wednesday in Rockville Superior Court in Connecticut on the second day of Skakel's appeal. Sherman faces accusations he failed to competently defend Skakel, who was convicted in 2002 of killing 15-year-old neighbor Martha Moxley in 1975.

Sherman says preparing for the case was his top priority. Sherman says the trips were to meet with Skakel, who was then living in Florida, and others involved in the case.

Skakel's current attorney, Hubert Santos, says the trips were ostensibly to investigate the case but in fact Sherman was having a good time.