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William Kennedy Smith keeps his focus on improving D.C. and away from ’91 rape trial William Kennedy Smith keeps his focus on improving D.C. and away from ’91 rape trial
(about 2 hours later)
The commissioner-elect was walking his new district in Northwest Washington, stopping across from the Watergate to inspect a crack in the sidewalk, crumbling concrete and a broken step.The commissioner-elect was walking his new district in Northwest Washington, stopping across from the Watergate to inspect a crack in the sidewalk, crumbling concrete and a broken step.
“Look at all that stuff,” said William Kennedy Smith, Foggy Bottom’s newly elected Advisory Neighborhood Commission member.“Look at all that stuff,” said William Kennedy Smith, Foggy Bottom’s newly elected Advisory Neighborhood Commission member.
Smith, 54, is the nephew of a slain American president. As a younger man, he was the defendant in a salacious Palm Beach rape trial that ended in his acquittal, though not before the nation devoured stories of late-night, alcohol-fueled carousing that included then-Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).Smith, 54, is the nephew of a slain American president. As a younger man, he was the defendant in a salacious Palm Beach rape trial that ended in his acquittal, though not before the nation devoured stories of late-night, alcohol-fueled carousing that included then-Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).
Twenty-three years later, here was Smith, at the intersection of New Hampshire and Virginia avenues, pondering a broken step. “Small degradations in a neighborhood can lead to big problems,” he said. “It’s about maintaining a standard.”Twenty-three years later, here was Smith, at the intersection of New Hampshire and Virginia avenues, pondering a broken step. “Small degradations in a neighborhood can lead to big problems,” he said. “It’s about maintaining a standard.”
A new generation of leaders is preparing to take power in the District in January. The class includes a mayor, three council members and more than 100 ANC members — those unpaid citizen gadflies who delve into the small print of zoning laws and liquor licenses.A new generation of leaders is preparing to take power in the District in January. The class includes a mayor, three council members and more than 100 ANC members — those unpaid citizen gadflies who delve into the small print of zoning laws and liquor licenses.
Within that class, only one person has in his office the government-issued, wooden desk that once belonged to his grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy, when he was ambassador to the Court of St. James’s.Within that class, only one person has in his office the government-issued, wooden desk that once belonged to his grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy, when he was ambassador to the Court of St. James’s.
Only one was born four months before his uncle was sworn in as the 35th president.Only one was born four months before his uncle was sworn in as the 35th president.
Only one had two uncles who were assassinated.Only one had two uncles who were assassinated.
As a Kennedy, Smith faces singular challenges in an ANC district that includes, as it happens, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. If any Kennedy Center issues come before the ANC, as they have before, Smith is unsure that he can participate in the review because his mother — sister to the death president — is a trustee. As a Kennedy, Smith faces singular challenges in an ANC district that includes, as it happens, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. If any Kennedy Center issues come before the ANC, as they have before, Smith is unsure that he can participate in the review because his mother — sister to the dead president — is a trustee.
“If I vote,” Smith asked, “does that reflect a conflict of interest?”“If I vote,” Smith asked, “does that reflect a conflict of interest?”
Smith isn’t just any Kennedy. He’s that Kennedy, the one who starred in a televised courtroom drama made memorable by the hovering blue dot that concealed the identity of the woman who accused him of assault. His ANC candidacy drove a number of his neighbors to type his name into Google to recall the case that spawned such headlines as “Woman Says She was Raped at Kennedy Estate.”Smith isn’t just any Kennedy. He’s that Kennedy, the one who starred in a televised courtroom drama made memorable by the hovering blue dot that concealed the identity of the woman who accused him of assault. His ANC candidacy drove a number of his neighbors to type his name into Google to recall the case that spawned such headlines as “Woman Says She was Raped at Kennedy Estate.”
Smith understands the chatter about his past. At the same time, he said, “Do I want to make that the monologue of my life? No, I don’t.”Smith understands the chatter about his past. At the same time, he said, “Do I want to make that the monologue of my life? No, I don’t.”
“I’m innocent,” he said. “I have things I want to do.”“I’m innocent,” he said. “I have things I want to do.”
He prefers talking about his new district — about finding ways to fill vacant storefronts at the Watergate, helping vagrants who gather behind the gas station across the street, fixing that broken public step.He prefers talking about his new district — about finding ways to fill vacant storefronts at the Watergate, helping vagrants who gather behind the gas station across the street, fixing that broken public step.
Despite what anyone may think, he said, the ANC is not part of his “plan to advance through the political ranks.”Despite what anyone may think, he said, the ANC is not part of his “plan to advance through the political ranks.”
“I enjoy doing something locally,” he said. “It’s very basic. It’s about that step. What are we going to do about that step?”“I enjoy doing something locally,” he said. “It’s very basic. It’s about that step. What are we going to do about that step?”
On a recent Tuesday, Smith was behind his grandfather’s desk in his office at the Watergate, where he runs MedRed, a medical software company. An original Warhol of his uncle Ted hung on a wall. A Wyeth rendering of John Kennedy on a sailboat was on another wall. Atop a bookshelf was an inflatable reproduction of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.”On a recent Tuesday, Smith was behind his grandfather’s desk in his office at the Watergate, where he runs MedRed, a medical software company. An original Warhol of his uncle Ted hung on a wall. A Wyeth rendering of John Kennedy on a sailboat was on another wall. Atop a bookshelf was an inflatable reproduction of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.”
Smith was recalling how John Kennedy appointed his brother Bobby as attorney general only because of Joe Kennedy’s orders; how, in 1960, John Kennedy had managed to defeat the leading political gladiators of that era — Humphrey, Johnson and Nixon.Smith was recalling how John Kennedy appointed his brother Bobby as attorney general only because of Joe Kennedy’s orders; how, in 1960, John Kennedy had managed to defeat the leading political gladiators of that era — Humphrey, Johnson and Nixon.
“And so onto the ANC,” Smith said, chuckling at the contrast with his own political horizon.“And so onto the ANC,” Smith said, chuckling at the contrast with his own political horizon.
His mother, Jean, is the eighth of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s nine children. His father, Stephen Smith, took over Joe Kennedy’s business interests at his death and managed campaigns for Robert and Ted.His mother, Jean, is the eighth of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s nine children. His father, Stephen Smith, took over Joe Kennedy’s business interests at his death and managed campaigns for Robert and Ted.
As a child, Smith logged his share of time at family funerals, including Bobby’s at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Smith remembers his brother, Steve, holding a candle during the service and accidentally lighting a cousin’s hair on fire.As a child, Smith logged his share of time at family funerals, including Bobby’s at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Smith remembers his brother, Steve, holding a candle during the service and accidentally lighting a cousin’s hair on fire.
The Smiths lived on Fifth Avenue, a block from Jackie Kennedy. Smith and John Kennedy Jr. attended the same private school. One afternoon in 1974, they snuck away from John’s Secret Service escort and went to Central Park, where a mugger stole John’s bike. The incident made national news, though without any reference to Smith. At such moments, he learned the benefits of not sharing his cousins’ famous last name.The Smiths lived on Fifth Avenue, a block from Jackie Kennedy. Smith and John Kennedy Jr. attended the same private school. One afternoon in 1974, they snuck away from John’s Secret Service escort and went to Central Park, where a mugger stole John’s bike. The incident made national news, though without any reference to Smith. At such moments, he learned the benefits of not sharing his cousins’ famous last name.
Through his 20s, he was known as William Smith. His middle name, Kennedy, was reduced to just the initial, if it was mentioned at all. What turned him into a Kennedy, he said, was Patricia Bowman’s 1991 accusation that he raped her at his family’s Florida estate.Through his 20s, he was known as William Smith. His middle name, Kennedy, was reduced to just the initial, if it was mentioned at all. What turned him into a Kennedy, he said, was Patricia Bowman’s 1991 accusation that he raped her at his family’s Florida estate.
“It changed my identity,” Smith said of the unceasing and largely unflattering news coverage that defined his 30th year.“It changed my identity,” Smith said of the unceasing and largely unflattering news coverage that defined his 30th year.
After his arrest, Smith, then a student at Georgetown University’s medical school, called Bowman’s allegation a “damnable lie.” Prosecutors were set to call to the stand three more women — a doctor, a law student and a medical student — willing to testify that he assaulted them between 1983 and 1988. The judge barred their testimony.After his arrest, Smith, then a student at Georgetown University’s medical school, called Bowman’s allegation a “damnable lie.” Prosecutors were set to call to the stand three more women — a doctor, a law student and a medical student — willing to testify that he assaulted them between 1983 and 1988. The judge barred their testimony.
The jury deliberated 77 minutes before finding Smith not guilty. The next year, he began an internship at the University of New Mexico hospital. He spent a month in Somalia as a medical volunteer. He developed an interest in prosthetics and treating amputees.The jury deliberated 77 minutes before finding Smith not guilty. The next year, he began an internship at the University of New Mexico hospital. He spent a month in Somalia as a medical volunteer. He developed an interest in prosthetics and treating amputees.
The Palm Beach story trailed him.The Palm Beach story trailed him.
The owner of a bookstore in Albuquerque hosted a forum titled “Shaking out the Willies,” for those who wanted to talk about living in his midst. A stranger at an Arlington County bar taunted him about the case, an encounter that ended with Smith in a bloody fight with a bouncer.The owner of a bookstore in Albuquerque hosted a forum titled “Shaking out the Willies,” for those who wanted to talk about living in his midst. A stranger at an Arlington County bar taunted him about the case, an encounter that ended with Smith in a bloody fight with a bouncer.
After getting a medical degree, Smith settled in Chicago, where he became the director of the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR), a not-for-profit that helps victims of land mine explosions.After getting a medical degree, Smith settled in Chicago, where he became the director of the Center for International Rehabilitation (CIR), a not-for-profit that helps victims of land mine explosions.
In 2001, he considered running for Congress, enlisting advice from political consultant David Axelrod. Smith dropped the idea, a Chicago newspaper reported at the time, after a focus group suggested that voters held negative views of him because of the rape trial.In 2001, he considered running for Congress, enlisting advice from political consultant David Axelrod. Smith dropped the idea, a Chicago newspaper reported at the time, after a focus group suggested that voters held negative views of him because of the rape trial.
In recalling his decision, Smith said that Rahm Emanuel had planned to run and that “running against Rahm wasn’t something I wanted.”In recalling his decision, Smith said that Rahm Emanuel had planned to run and that “running against Rahm wasn’t something I wanted.”
In 2004, another woman — a former assistant at CIR whom he had dated — filed a civil lawsuit accusing Smith of sexual assault regarding an incident that had allegedly occurred five years before.In 2004, another woman — a former assistant at CIR whom he had dated — filed a civil lawsuit accusing Smith of sexual assault regarding an incident that had allegedly occurred five years before.
A judge dismissed the suit.A judge dismissed the suit.
In her complaint, the woman had asserted that Smith settled sexual harassment claims filed by two other women. Asked about the purported settlements, Smith declined to comment.In her complaint, the woman had asserted that Smith settled sexual harassment claims filed by two other women. Asked about the purported settlements, Smith declined to comment.
The following year, he moved to Washington.The following year, he moved to Washington.
On another morning, Anne Smith was in a conference room adjoining her husband’s office at the Watergate, a block from their apartment, where he often goes for lunch.On another morning, Anne Smith was in a conference room adjoining her husband’s office at the Watergate, a block from their apartment, where he often goes for lunch.
The cloud that may still loom over Smith’s reputation is invisible to his 36-year-old wife.The cloud that may still loom over Smith’s reputation is invisible to his 36-year-old wife.
“I know who my husband is, and I’m comfortable defending him — he’s a wonderful husband,” she said. The old stories, she said, are “cockroaches that will live forever.”“I know who my husband is, and I’m comfortable defending him — he’s a wonderful husband,” she said. The old stories, she said, are “cockroaches that will live forever.”
“He has been given a raw deal,” she said.“He has been given a raw deal,” she said.
Anne Smith grew up in St. Paul, Minn., and met her husband in Chicago, at CIR, where she worked in communications. They were married in 2011, after which they started a family at the Watergate.Anne Smith grew up in St. Paul, Minn., and met her husband in Chicago, at CIR, where she worked in communications. They were married in 2011, after which they started a family at the Watergate.
Their first child, India Rose, was born 2 1 /2 years ago. Their son, Stephen, is 18 months. Last year, Smith joined neighbors opposing a liquor-license application sought by the Watergate Hotel. Armando Irizarry, the incumbent ANC member for the district, was impressed by what he described as Smith’s measured negotiating style. After Irizarry decided not to run for reelection, he encouraged Smith to seek his seat.Their first child, India Rose, was born 2 1 /2 years ago. Their son, Stephen, is 18 months. Last year, Smith joined neighbors opposing a liquor-license application sought by the Watergate Hotel. Armando Irizarry, the incumbent ANC member for the district, was impressed by what he described as Smith’s measured negotiating style. After Irizarry decided not to run for reelection, he encouraged Smith to seek his seat.
Anne Smith designed the candidate’s campaign mailings, which began “Dear Neighbor” and included a photograph of the couple and their children. His slogan: “An Experienced Advocate, A Skillfull Negotiator, A Careful Listener.”Anne Smith designed the candidate’s campaign mailings, which began “Dear Neighbor” and included a photograph of the couple and their children. His slogan: “An Experienced Advocate, A Skillfull Negotiator, A Careful Listener.”
His cousins offered to campaign for him, as did his mother, who thought his name on the ballot should include “Kennedy.”His cousins offered to campaign for him, as did his mother, who thought his name on the ballot should include “Kennedy.”
He declined that idea. Voters would judge him as “William K. Smith.”He declined that idea. Voters would judge him as “William K. Smith.”
Ron Cocome, a neighborhood activist, found him “very conscientious,” someone who wanted to resolve issues without “yelling back and forth.”Ron Cocome, a neighborhood activist, found him “very conscientious,” someone who wanted to resolve issues without “yelling back and forth.”
“’How can you support someone who was accused of a heinous crime?’” Cocome recalled some neighbors asking.“’How can you support someone who was accused of a heinous crime?’” Cocome recalled some neighbors asking.
“I looked enough on Google to reaffirm what I already knew,” Cocome said of Smith’s exoneration. “So there was nothing to consider.”“I looked enough on Google to reaffirm what I already knew,” Cocome said of Smith’s exoneration. “So there was nothing to consider.”
Claudia Schecter, a financial consultant, was unconvinced. At a forum, she asked Smith about the allegations. But her mind already seemed made up. “I don’t believe I can trust someone with that kind of background,” she said later.Claudia Schecter, a financial consultant, was unconvinced. At a forum, she asked Smith about the allegations. But her mind already seemed made up. “I don’t believe I can trust someone with that kind of background,” she said later.
When he decided to run, Smith expected his past to resurface.When he decided to run, Smith expected his past to resurface.
“I feel misunderstood,” he said, pacing behind his grandfather’s desk. “The story about me is the story everyone has heard that involved bad behavior and hurting people. I don’t relate to that narrative.”“I feel misunderstood,” he said, pacing behind his grandfather’s desk. “The story about me is the story everyone has heard that involved bad behavior and hurting people. I don’t relate to that narrative.”
“Half-truths and lies,” he said of the “characterizations that have been made about me by some people.”“Half-truths and lies,” he said of the “characterizations that have been made about me by some people.”
He paused.He paused.
“I recognize I’ve had broken relationships in my life,” he said. “I want to accept responsibility for my part.“I recognize I’ve had broken relationships in my life,” he said. “I want to accept responsibility for my part.
“I sincerely regret the choices I’ve made that have contributed to that. “But I don’t accept — ”“I sincerely regret the choices I’ve made that have contributed to that. “But I don’t accept — ”
He paused again.He paused again.
“I’m not a person looking for conflict or endless rehashing,” he said. “Whatever else is going on, that’s always going to be the narrative.”“I’m not a person looking for conflict or endless rehashing,” he said. “Whatever else is going on, that’s always going to be the narrative.”
On Election Day, Smith stood outside his polling place, half-expecting a TV news crew to show up to record him.On Election Day, Smith stood outside his polling place, half-expecting a TV news crew to show up to record him.
None did.None did.
He won a total of 257 votes, 61 more than his opponent.He won a total of 257 votes, 61 more than his opponent.
Two weeks later, the ANC 2A meeting was about to begin when Commissioner-elect Smith arrived.Two weeks later, the ANC 2A meeting was about to begin when Commissioner-elect Smith arrived.
At the dais, he joked with the ANC’s chair, Patrick Kennedy — no relation — about having forwarded an e-mail intended for him to his own cousin, Patrick Kennedy.At the dais, he joked with the ANC’s chair, Patrick Kennedy — no relation — about having forwarded an e-mail intended for him to his own cousin, Patrick Kennedy.
The two men laughed about the misfire, and then Smith retreated to a second-row seat as the commissioners discussed noisy George Washington University parties, bus routes and traffic.The two men laughed about the misfire, and then Smith retreated to a second-row seat as the commissioners discussed noisy George Washington University parties, bus routes and traffic.
He listened as someone said, “What Barbara raises is a procedural issue.” He was still listening when someone else said, “We can weigh in on a minor modification.”He listened as someone said, “What Barbara raises is a procedural issue.” He was still listening when someone else said, “We can weigh in on a minor modification.”
Two hours later, the empty seats outnumbered the occupied. A man scratched his cheek. A woman yawned.Two hours later, the empty seats outnumbered the occupied. A man scratched his cheek. A woman yawned.
A commissioner listed 13 neighborhood streets needing repairs.A commissioner listed 13 neighborhood streets needing repairs.
K Street at 24th, “near corner on south side.”K Street at 24th, “near corner on south side.”
“Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue, southeast corner.”“Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue, southeast corner.”
“I Street between 21st and 22nd.”“I Street between 21st and 22nd.”
A pause. A suggestion from the second row.A pause. A suggestion from the second row.
“The stairs by the plaza, overlooking the freeway,” Smith said. He was referring to that broken step. It needed fixing, he said.“The stairs by the plaza, overlooking the freeway,” Smith said. He was referring to that broken step. It needed fixing, he said.
The commissioner thanked him and added it to the list.The commissioner thanked him and added it to the list.