Skakel was convicted in 2002 of fatally beating neighbor Martha Moxley with a golf club in wealthy Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1975 when they were 15-year-olds. His lawyer says Skakel will file an appeal in coming weeks, challenging Sherman's effectiveness. Skakel's supporters say Sherman was distracted by the limelight and financial troubles, even though he was paid more than $1 million in legal fees.

"He was very open that he wanted to be a TV lawyer, he wanted to be famous," said Skakel's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy said that Sherman allowed a police officer to be picked for the jury and failed to prepare witnesses for testimony about a 25-year-old crime. Sherman also conducted an inept cross-examination of a witness who challenged Skakel's alibi, Kennedy said.

"It's a hard trial to win," Kennedy said of the new appeal. "It's as good a case as you get." Sherman did not return telephone calls seeking comment, but said of Skakel in 2007, "I believe I did everything humanly possible to persuade a jury that he was not guilty." Skakel is serving 20 years to life in prison.