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Mary Kennedy’s family hit out at accusations in Robert Kennedy Jr affidavit

Claims are described as scurrilous and vindictive

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 7:15 AM

Updated Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 7:15 AM

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Mary Richardson Kennedy

Photo by Peter T. Michaelis/ Politico

The family of suicide victim Mary Richardson Kennedy have hit out at her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his accusations about her behaviour.

The family are angry about Kennedy Jr.’s claims about his wife’s behavior before her suicide which they say amounted to ‘a brutal psychological weapon’.

Relatives of Mary Richardson Kennedy have issued a statement saying an affidavit in the Kennedys’ divorce case, disclosed on Sunday, was ‘scurrilous’ and ‘full of vindictive lies’.

The affidavit, dated September 2011, contains accusations from Robert Kennedy that Mary Kennedy abused his children from an earlier marriage and stole from them and him.

The affidavit asked a judge for an order of protection to ‘keep her from physically attacking him, showing up uninvited at his homes and denigrating him to their children’.

Kennedy, the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, also asked the judge that his wife be required to remain sober in front of their children and not threaten suicide in their presence.

The divorce was pending when Mary Kennedy hanged herself last month at the family’s estate in Bedford.

A brother of Mary Kennedy tried to get custody of her body before she was buried near the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts.

In their statement, the Richardson family’s said the affidavit, posted online by The Daily Beast as part of a Newsweek magazine article, was vindictive.

The statement said: “It was written by Bobby Kennedy as part of a contentious custody battle and was nothing more than a brutal psychological weapon in the divorce case.

“The release of the document was proof of the emotional and psychological abuse that Mary endured during the last years of her life, and also in death.

“We hoped Mary could rest in peace.”

The Boston Herald, reporting the statement, said that messages left at Kennedy’s White Plains office at a legal environmental clinic and his divorce lawyer’s Manhattan office weren’t immediately returned.

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Pittsburghkid | Jun 17, 2012, 02:08 PM EDT

Aren't the Kennedy's yesterday news?

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BuffaloGazer | Jun 14, 2012, 05:39 AM EDT

I can not imagine the reasoning behind "leaking" this horrible document, but it has all of the hallmarks of the Kennedy spin machine. Written by Kennedy pocket-puppet Leamer, it is nothing but hearsay according to RFKJr's accusations in a divorce affidavit in which he wanted custody of their children. Sis Kerry. "best friend" of the deceased provided the pics. It's just too deranged to comprehend. It looks like the Kennedy myth has come to an end and not a moment too soon.

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dhaitzin | Jun 13, 2012, 01:47 PM EDT

I dont believe anything this man says anymore. She is dead why release this information based on his testimony other than to sully her memory. He has no respect even for the dead. Can you imagine how he treated her when she was alive. Its disgusting.

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Bythebay | Jun 13, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT

Robert Kennedy Jr. blackening the name of his deceased wife with allegations that cannot be conclusively proven. Master of deceit he and the other Kennedys.

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funnyfaceking | Jun 13, 2012, 03:15 AM EDT

RFK was determined *by a judge* to be a victim of domestic violence. If he were female, would the perpetrator's family be so quick to "hit" him again in the press, accusing him of lies? If he lied, don't you think *the judge* would have seen that? Is the Richardson family calling *the judge* a a fool? How do they intend to prove that RFK lied? If he were female, the entire world would assassinating the perpetrator's character, not the victim's.

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bogsidebunny | Jun 13, 2012, 01:42 AM EDT

Cultural genetics have a strange way of manifesting themselves.

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bunkerisland | Jun 12, 2012, 06:12 PM EDT

Let us not use the broad brush and paint every family member as evil. This is a tragic case of apparent mental illness, family dysfunction and no intervention that benefited Mary. One hopes her children have a clear understanding of what is occurring and will not suffer endlessly regarding either parent. Robt.Jr. was cruel and arrogant in his remarks to others about his wife's condition. Calling her a thief and abusive while disregarding her mental state shows crassness and total disregard for her. Ignoring Mary's families request was equally harmful, resentful and arrogant. How can his children, regardless of biological mother feel comfort and love in this atmosphere. It is shameful!

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msymsed | Jun 12, 2012, 11:32 AM EDT

Any woman who would even WANT to marry a Kennedy man is a lunatic. That is one sad bunch of human beings. None of them are worth anything. Well, except money. And apparently money CAN buy you a body.

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PhlutiePhan | Jun 12, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT

The Kennedys have reached the point that they have no moral responsibility. As with most of the Kennedy males, they use women and then throw them away like "kleenex". Nevertheless, Mary took him away from his first wife. She had no respect for the marital vows. He then tired of her and moved on and she could not cope.

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