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Kerry Kennedy Trial Set For Jan. 22, But Venue Still Undecided

ARMONK, N.Y. -- Bedford resident Kerry Kennedy knows when and what time her trial will begin, but where is still in question.

Kerry Kennedy being driven away from North Castle Justice Court after a date was set for her trial on driving while impaired.

Kerry Kennedy being driven away from North Castle Justice Court after a date was set for her trial on driving while impaired.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Kerry Kennedy's lawyer, Bill Aronwald, speaks with reporters after a court hearing. Kennedy's trial is set for Jan. 22, though a venue has yet to be determined.

Kerry Kennedy's lawyer, Bill Aronwald, speaks with reporters after a court hearing. Kennedy's trial is set for Jan. 22, though a venue has yet to be determined.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Kennedy is the daughter of Sen. Robert Kennedy and ex-wife of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Kennedy is the daughter of Sen. Robert Kennedy and ex-wife of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Photo Credit: File photo

Judge Elyse Lazansky on Tuesday set Jan. 22, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. as the beginning of Kennedy's trial for impaired driving, a misdemeanor, after a July 2012 car accident on I-684 in which she was arrested after her Lexus swerved into a tractor-trailer.

Kennedy admitted to taking a small amount of Ambien prior to the crash, but claims she ingested it accidentally.

Kennedy, accompanied by her sister-in-law Molly Kennedy of Mount Pleasant, arrived and left North Castle Court in a white Lexus without speaking to reporters.

Both defense and prosecution agree North Castle Town Court is too small to host Kennedy's trial. The court is looking at keeping the trial in North Castle, though is still trying to find a suitable venue.

Kennedy's attorney, White Plains-based William Aronwald, offered White Plains as a suitable replacement.

"They cannot try the case here," Aronwald said. "The preference is North Castle, so the question is trying to find a suitable space."

Aronwald said he did not know when a venue would be named. Aronwald said if the trial was moved to White Plains, there would be a question on whether Lazansky would be allowed to preside.

Aronwald said that Kennedy is frustrated the case has dragged on for so long, but is doing well. Aronwald said they would not take a plea deal.

"She is looking forward to her day in court," Aronwald said of the trial, which will last between one and two weeks. "Accidental ingestion is not a criminal offense."

In May, Lazansky denied Kennedy's motion to dismiss all the charges.

Kennedy is the daughter of Sen. Robert Kennedy, niece of President John F. Kennedy and the ex-wife of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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