Kennedy grandson spared jail over bar fight with homophobes
A member of the Kennedy family has been spared jail over a bar fight in which they reportedly defended their gay friend from homophobes.
22-year-old Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F Kennedy, was arrested after an altercation at the Bootsy Bellows nightclub in Aspen, Colorado in December.
According to reports, the fight started when a group of men hurled a homophobic slur at a gay friend of Kennedy’s.
Kennedy, a Harvard rugby player, asked the men to apologise, but the altercation turned physical and a fight broke out.
After police were called to the bar, Kennedy had to be restrained by officers – and was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
This week, the 22-year-old was spared jail as part of a plea deal, entering a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge.
Kennedy was handed a six-month deferred sentence, and will also be required to abstain from drinking alcohol or taking drugs under the terms of his probation.
The judge also ordered him to pay $500 and write a letter of apology.
His father Robert F Kennedy Jr previously said he was proud of his son for defending his friend.
The environmental lawyer insisted: “Conor has always reacted against bullying. I’m happy he stood up for his friend.”
Kennedy’s representatives said: “Multiple witnesses to the incident have reported that two men assaulted Conor Kennedy after he rebuked them for directing a homophobic slur and threats to his close friend.
“They also report that Mr. Kennedy was cooperative, compliant and respectful toward the police from the moment they arrived on the scene.”
Conor Kennedy is an ex-boyfriend of the country singer Taylor Swift.
He is the grandson of late New York Senator Robert F Kennedy, and the great nephew of John F Kennedy.
