Podcast Summary: "Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder"

Episode: The Out of Towners

Host: Andrew Goldman
Date: January 6, 2026

Overview of Episode’s Main Theme

This episode delves into the “New York guys” theory in the Martha Moxley murder—a controversial and convoluted alternative to Michael Skakel’s culpability. Host Andrew Goldman meticulously recounts the emergence and fallout of this theory: a third-party claim that two out-of-towners, friends of Tony Bryant, committed the 1975 murder. The episode traces how Bryant’s story influenced Skakel’s appeals, its effect on those involved, and revisits the lingering uncertainties and complexities in the case.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Aftermath of the Michael Skakel Trial (00:54–04:45)

• Dorothy Moxley’s certainty: Martha’s mother, Dorothy, expressed unequivocal belief in Skakel’s guilt.
  • Notable Quote:

    "I have not one tiny thread of doubt that Michael Skakel did this. No question in my mind whatsoever. None. Absolutely none."
    — Dorothy Moxley [01:09]

• Crawford Mills’ intervention: An acquaintance, Mills (audio engineer and former Greenwich teen), approaches Dorothy during her media appearances, arguing a different suspect is to blame and consequently loses his job for his actions.

2. The Emergence of Tony Bryant’s Story (04:45–13:49)

• RFK Jr.’s involvement: Six months after Skakel’s conviction, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Bobby)—Michael’s cousin—publishes a piece supporting Skakel’s innocence and implicates Ken Littleton instead.
• Mills contacts Bobby: Mills submits a fax detailing Tony Bryant’s claims: that Bryant was in Belle Haven the night of Martha’s murder with two friends, whom he later believed killed Martha.
• Mills, feeling ignored by authorities, seeks media allies and sees Bobby as the first receptive ear.
  • Notable Quote:

    “It’s pretty darn disturbing that nobody wants to even investigate this. ...The point is this is the first story I’ve heard of anyone saying they’ve done it and they don’t want to hear about it.”
    — Crawford Mills [12:04]

3. Tony Bryant’s Videotaped Testimony & The “Out of Towners” (13:49–31:42)

• Tony Bryant’s background: Former Greenwich teen, star athlete, later a lawyer and businessman in Miami.

• The “two friends” theory: Bryant alleges his friends—Adolph Hasbrouck and Burr Tinsley—became obsessed with Martha, made violent, sexually aggressive comments, and spent the night in Belle Haven when the murder occurred.

• Details of mischief night: Bryant describes the group wandering Belle Haven, drinking, using golf clubs as props, and growing intoxicated. He claims he left early, while his friends remained behind, talking about “having” Martha.

  • Notable Quotes:

    “He [Hasbrouck] always had a thing. ...He was all the time, he said he was going to have her. ...It’s going to happen.”
    — Tony Bryant [20:13]
    “We picked up one. Burr picked up one. Adolf picked up one. Jeff Burns picked up one. ...They were using them as ... walking sticks.”
    — Tony Bryant [27:39]

• Bryant’s rationale for silence: Bryant says he didn’t come forward because of fear—his minority status, lack of resources, and disbelief that Skakel would be convicted.

  • Quote:

    “There’s no way we ever thought that Michael Skakel would be convicted.”
    — Tony Bryant [31:18]

4. Attempts at Corroboration & the Question of Credibility (33:01–44:20)

• Private investigation: PIs Colucci and Steele confront Hasbrouck and Tinsley. Both allegedly admit being in Belle Haven on Mischief Night (then later recant). Hasbrouck is described as evasive and inconsistent.
  • Quote:

    “From speaking with him, it was obvious that he was not being straight with us.”
    — Chris Steele [38:58]

• Appeal efforts: Bryant, Hasbrouck, and Tinsley all invoke the Fifth Amendment at Skakel’s appeal; the judge finds Bryant’s testimony lacks credibility and dismisses granting a new trial.

5. Bobby Kennedy’s Advocacy and the Media Narrative (44:20–51:49)

• Bobby’s conviction: Bobby Kennedy Jr. doubles down in public, insisting Hasbrouck and Tinsley are the true killers and Michael Skakel is innocent.
  • Quote:

    “I strongly believe he’s innocent. ...I believe the facts demonstrate these two men murdered Martha Moxley.”
    — Bobby Kennedy Jr. [44:20]

• Goldman’s skepticism: Host Andrew Goldman expresses doubts about the reliability and ethics of pinning the crime on Hasbrouck/Tinsley based on Bryant’s uncorroborated story.

6. Bryant’s Shaky Personal History (51:49–54:13)

• Bryant’s background is checkered: failed bar exams, being fired, involvement in armed robbery, and subsequent fraud convictions.
• His criminal record is not initially known by Bobby Kennedy and complicates the credibility of his statements.

7. Community Testimony & The “Race” Factor (54:13–60:32)

• Discrepancies abound: While some recall unknown teens in the neighborhood that night, others—including Byrne’s family—insist no black teens would have gone unnoticed at Belhaven.
• Margie Walker supports that Bryant, Hasbrouck, and Tinsley had been present at events in Greenwich but can’t confirm their presence on Mischief Night.

8. Emotional Fallout and Tragedy Among Key Figures (60:32–63:29)

• Tragic ends: Several figures involved, like Jeff Byrne and Crawford Mills, died young and tragically.
• Crawford Mills: His dogged pursuit of the alternative theory, subsequent ostracism and firing, and cancer diagnosis preceded his suicide.

9. Tony Bryant Re-emerges—A Change in Story? (63:59–75:45)

• In 2024, Tony Bryant finally agrees to speak with Goldman again but now distances himself from his earlier certainty:
  • Contradicts past statements about where Hasbrouck/Tinsley stayed.
  • Denies ever hearing specific confessions; admits there are details he “just knew.”
  • When asked directly if he believes Hasbrouck and Tinsley killed Martha, Bryant now says, “I wouldn’t feel comfortable today making that statement because I don’t know. I have suspicions.” [74:45]
  • Denies any personal involvement or witnessing the murder.
• Bryant dismisses the notion his recent reconnection to those in the case is for a pardon or favor.

10. The Lingering Cloud of Accusation (76:39–77:57)

• Impact on Hasbrouck: Suffering from relentless suspicion, Hasbrouck’s life is upended by implication in Martha’s death, despite no formal evidence against him.
  • Quote (from Hasbrouck’s attorney):

    “…People now look at him…they look away from him. …My wife gets physically sick whenever this comes up.”
    — Hasbrouck’s attorney [77:59]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Dorothy Moxley’s innocence claim:

  “I have not one tiny thread of doubt that Michael Skakel did this. … Absolutely none.”
  [01:09]

• Crawford Mills on being ignored:

  “It’s pretty darn disturbing that nobody wants to even investigate this. …The point is this is the first story I’ve heard of anyone saying they’ve done it and they don’t want to hear about it.”
  [12:04]

• Tony Bryant’s chilling memory:

  “He always had a thing … He was all the time, he said he was going to have her. …It’s going to happen.”
  [20:13]

• Bobby Kennedy Jr. on certainty:

  “I strongly believe that he’s innocent. …I believe the facts demonstrate these two men murdered Martha Moxley.”
  [44:20]

• Tony Bryant’s current view:

  “I wouldn’t feel comfortable today making that statement because I don’t know. I have suspicions.”
  [74:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Dorothy Moxley speaks post-trial | 00:54–01:25| | Crawford Mills confronts Moxley with new suspect theory | 01:25–03:53| | Mills reaches out to Bobby Kennedy | 04:45–06:45| | Tony Bryant relays his story of the Belle Haven night | 15:17–31:42| | PI efforts to corroborate Bryant’s claims | 35:32–40:48| | Bobby Kennedy advocates for Skakel | 44:20–51:49| | Examination of Bryant’s personal troubles | 51:49–54:13| | Tony Bryant’s recantation and hedged answers (2024) | 63:59–75:45| | Hasbrouck’s life post-accusation | 76:39–77:59|

Overall Tone and Narrative

• Measured and immersive: Goldman’s narrative is meticulous, reflective, and often skeptical. First-person asides and interviews bring an investigative, at times personal, texture.
• Skeptical yet empathetic: Goldman explores each perspective fully, highlighting the intense human costs—grief, suspicion, ruined lives and lost faith in justice—without clearly assigning blame.

Conclusion & Lead-In to Next Episode

The episode closes with an unresolved note: While Tony Bryant’s story once appeared a possible key to Skakel’s exoneration, it has unraveled into conflicting memories and uncertainty. The “out of towners” theory both intrigues and unsettles—neither fully plausible nor entirely dismissible, it underscores the enduring ambiguity of the Martha Moxley case.

Goldman teases that, despite what listeners may think, the array of suspects and mysteries is not yet exhausted, hinting that Martha’s own diary may offer more insight in the next episode.

End of Summary