A high-profile murder case involving one of America's most well-known political families took a dramatic turn Wednesday when a judge ordered a new trial for Michael Skakel, the nephew of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. 

Skakel, who has spent more than a decade behind bars, is accused of killing 15-year-old neighbor Martha Moxley with a golf club in 1975. Twenty-seven years after her death, he was convicted and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. 

For years, Skakel fought unsuccessfully for his conviction to be overturned. But a Connecticut judge gave Skakel, 53, a chance for a fresh start Wednesday, ruling that the defense during his 2002 trial had been inadequate. 

State's Attorney John Smriga said prosecutors plan to appeal, but are still reviewing the judge's decision. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long maintained his cousin's innocence, described the judge's order as a "blessed event." 

"I think everybody who knows Michael's overjoyed with it," Kennedy told CNN's "AC360." 

Martha Moxley's mother said the judge's ruling does nothing to change her mind. 

"There's not a way they can erase what was said during the first trial. ... I have not given up and I do believe Michael Skakel killed my daughter," Dorthy Moxley told CNN's "Piers Morgan Live." "If there is a new trial, I will be there." 

Judge: Defense 'constitutionally deficient' 

In a lengthy opinion Wednesday, Connecticut Appellate Judge Thomas Bishop ruled that defense attorney Michael "Mickey" Sherman's representation of Skakel was "constitutionally deficient." 

"The defense of a serious felony prosecution requires attention to detail, an energetic investigation and a coherent plan of defense (capably) executed," Bishop wrote in his decision. "Trial counsel's failures in each of these areas of representation were significant and, ultimately, fatal to a constitutionally adequate defense."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What made national news on Wednesday?
2. What were national media outlets talking about on Wednesday?
3. 
Q2:
1. Who was the defendent in the retrial?
2. Who was being retried?
3. 
Q3:
1. Has Michael Skakel spent previous time in jail?
2. Has Michael Skakel been to jail in the past?
3. 
Q4:
1. Who did Michael Skakel kill?
2. Whose life was taken by Michael Skakel?
3. 
Q5:
1. Who does Michael Skakel know?
2. Who is Michael Skakel close with?
3. 
Q6:
1. How does Michael Skakel know the Kennedys?
2. What is Michael Skakel's relationship to the Kennedys?
3. 
