Chappaquiddick | Circling the Wagon

Lindsey Graham· Host0:00

American Scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events. Some elements, including dialogue, might be invented, but everything is based on historical research. [Instrumental music] It's around 9:30 AM on July 19th, 1969 on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts. Local police chief Dominic Arena and fire department scuba diver John Farrar stumble up the sandy shore carrying a stretcher. On it lies the body of a young woman. Just over an hour ago, a pair of fishermen reported that they found a car upside down in the water near the beach. When Chief Arena ran the Oldsmobile's license plate, he was shocked to learn it was registered to Senator Ted Kennedy. But an even more disturbing discovery awaited inside the car. The dead woman on the stretcher was in her 20s, dressed in a sodden white blouse and navy blue slacks. Her body shows almost no signs of visible injury, which is unusual for someone who's just been in a car accident. But Chief Arena is still in the dark about the woman's identity, and he doesn't know if Senator Kennedy is even aware of the crash. Arena nods toward his deputy's police cruiser. "So, uh, let's put her in the back seat for now. We don't need people standing around gawking." Arena signals another officer to open