There's actually a difference between "murder" and negligent homicide, unless you believe he intended to kill Mary Jo Kopechne (along with his presidential ambitions). I'd expect intellectual heavyweights to understand that.
Your problem is that there is next to zero overlap between being an intellectual heavyweight and believing Chappquiddick constitutes genuine murder.
FF (likes UHC and Civil Rights)
and murder apparently
The world doesn't run on democratic centralism genius. I can like Kennedy's accomplishments while thinking Chappaquiddick was stupid AND you all need to STFU about it because it's been FOUR DECADES and the man is DEAD.