By
Casey Smith
November 24, 2008
The story of Amanda Knox has been endlessly sensationalized in the media during the past year, while Knox herself has been awaiting trial in Italy.
Photo by Daniel Kim.
Brian McGaughey, a friend of the Knox family and one of the organizers for the dinner, welcomes guests to the fundraiser dinner held on Friday night for Amanda Knox.
All the while, her family and friends have been struggling to do what they can from afar.
Friday night, a group of Knox’s friends and family members sought to escape from the media spectacle and legal aspects that have surrounded much of the case and instead, came together, bonding through their support for Knox to raise money for her family as they weather the storm.
The fundraiser took place in the Holy Rosary School Hall in West Seattle. Friends planned and catered the event, asking for a $50 donation from those in attendance. A slideshow with pictures of Amanda played while guests mingled; there was no talk of the case or evidence.
“A lot of Amanda’s friends have been talking about getting together and helping her and her parents,” David Johnsrud said.
Johnsrud described himself as one of Knox’s closest friends, saying he and Knox used to climb together and were friends all through college.
“The whole event was focused on her and just getting together and saying positive things,” he said. “… but that was secondary to raising money.”
During the past year, Knox’s parents have incurred substantial debt through various legal and travel expenses from supporting their daughter. In addition to buying plane tickets and hiring lawyers, Knox’s parents have also had to hire a public relations representative to handle the media storm that has surrounded them. Furthermore, because of differences within the Italian prison system, they also had to pay fees to make sure Amanda is getting proper nutrition as she awaits trial in prison.
“When you think about your friend, daughter, niece, cousin sitting in a jail cell in a foreign country, it’s tough,” Johnsrud said.
Madison Paxton, another one of Knox’s close friends who helped invite people to the event, was encouraged by the response the event recieved.
“It was so wonderful to see so many people willing to show support,” Paxton said. “Sometimes it feels like we’re the only ones who know her or care, so it kind of gave me more hope.”
Knox, whose trial is set to begin Dec. 4, has been indicted for murder and sexual violence. However, her family and friends are anticipating delays, as there have already been many.
“They’ve already missed numerous deadlines,” Paxton said of the Italian prosecutor handling Knox’s case. “Since there are only two to three hearings per month in Italy, the trial could last till September of next year.”
Friends are hoping to continue fundraising events like the one held Friday night, to ensure that Knox’s family can continue to visit her as she waits in Italy. Through the fundraisers, they hope to emphasize that regardless of the outcome of the trial, Knox will still need her family there for her.
“Amanda plays a large role in quite a few people’s lives, and Seattle feels empty without her,” Johnsrud said. “It feels like it’s missing something … but there’s not a lot that we can do except wait for the Italian legal system to run its course and hope for a favorable outcome.”
Reach reporter Casey Smith at
news@dailyuw.com.
22 Comments
#1 Harry Rag
on November 24, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.(Oldham, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
There are two excellent pro-evidence, pro-victim websites about the Meredith Kercher case.
True Justice For Meredith Kercher:
http://truejustice.org/ee/index.php
Perugia Murder File:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.o...
Casey Smith you NEVER mentioned Meredith’s Kercher’s name. Please don't forget that Meredith is the victim, or that Amanda Knox is accused of murdering her.
ALL the judges who have been involved in the case: Judge Claudia Matteini, the judges at the Italian Supreme Court, judge Massimo Riccarelli, and judge Paolo Micheli all thought there were serious indications of Amanda Knox's and Raffaele Sollecito’s guilt and refused to grant them bail on the grounds that they are mentally unstable, dangerous and could reoffend.
Amanda Knox is not some political prisoner being held in prison for her beliefs. The case against her and Raffaele Sollecito is formidable.
There are 13 pieces of forensic evidence that link Amanda and Raffaele to the crime, including Amanda's DNA on the handle of the knife found at Raffaele's apartment and Meredith's DNA on the blade, and Amanda's bare footprints set in Meredith's blood and Raffaele's DNA on Meredith's bloodied and cut bra.
Amanda and Raffaele knew precise details about Meredith's body which they could only have known if they had been present when Meredith was murdered. Amanda herself admitted she was present when Meredith was murdered in her handwritten note to the police on 6 November.
Amanda and Raffaele not only gave conflicting witness statements, but also gave completely different accounts of where they were, who they were with and what they were doing on the night of the murder.
In the light of the judges decisions so far and the forensic evidence which was independently confirmed as accurate and reliable, it looks extremely unlikely that Amanda and Raffaele will be found not guilty.
#2 Kelly13
on November 24, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.(Berkeley, CA | Unverified Name)
Harry - You're such a hateful pinhead. The evidence against Amanda is manufactured by a prosecutor who himself is charged with criminal activity. The 13 pieces of evidence you site are silly. It is completely untrue that Meredith Kercher's dna is on the knife found in Raf's flat. This fact was verified at the recent pre-trial hearing, there is no match to Meredith.
You are a hateful blog hog who travels the internet attacking this innocent girl. I hope that your identity is determined so you can be sued for all of you misdeeds against Amanda.
#3 Carla
on November 24, 2008 at 7:14 p.m.(Bothell, WA | Unverified Name)
Kelly 13,
We've been looking for you. We need you here to help guilty prisoners. Hurry back.
Carla Hodges
Bangkok
#4 MTHS
on November 24, 2008 at 10:49 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Innocent until proven guilty, folks! Sheesh!
#5 Black Dog
on November 25, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.(Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Kelly13
Aren't you the individual who said Meredith's family should "set aside their grief" and support Amanda Knox?
Are you mad?
Do you possess any decency at all?
Shame on you.
#6 Black Dog
on November 25, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.(Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Furthemore,
It is your identity that needs to be determined with the disgusting comments you make regarding the family of a girl who has been brutally murdered and who have to live with this for their entire lives.
If anyone needs "outing" it is you Kelly13.
#7 Justice for Meredith
on November 25, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.(Bothell, WA | Unverified Name)
Kelly 13
Um, maybe you'd better return to your "cuz's" blog with the rest of the few Amanda Knox supporters. Not a good reception for you here. Better yet, go find Carla in Bangkok.
#8 truthandaccuracy
on November 25, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.(Reno, NV | Unverified Name)
harryyrag aka machine, wrote:Amanda and Raffaele knew precise details about Meredith's body which they could only have known if they had been present when Meredith was murdered.
Including Raff in that stayement makes it a lie. He said no such things.
#9 Black Dog
on November 25, 2008 at 10:35 p.m.(Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
truthandaccuracy,
Raffaele was wimping out in the hallway as those big burly postal police shouldered the door in, a thing this self proclaimed kickboxer was unable to achieve.
Knox never saw the horrific scene in the room from her viewpoint, which made the police wonder why she knew so much about the scene, if she hadn't been there or seen it.
Do you think it is reasonable Mr. Truth, that the police confered with the postal police on this issue?
Amanda Knox was even bragging about finding the body and telling people how she died!
The police was on to Amanda Knox almost immediately, the other people who lived in the house, Filomena and Laura - they questioned them non stop for 5 hours and let them go.
#10 Harry Rag
on November 26, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.(Huddersfield, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Truthhandaccuracy read the article below. Raffaele also knew details about Meredith's body. He didn't see her body on 2 November because it was covered by a duvet.
Il Messaggero - What Influenced the Judge
Il Messaggero. 29.10.2008. Journalist; Christiana Mangani.
Extract from an article in today’s Messaggero. d.
What evidence did the judge consider to be valid? He seems to have been convinced of Amanda and Raffaele’s involvement in the crime by Meredith’s friends’ testimony. The two suspects are believed to have spoken about details of the body that nobody could have known. Also Mrs Capezzali’s testimony was considered to be reliable. She said she heard screams from the house in via della Pergola. Then there’s Amanda’s dna found on the knife, the traces of blood in the bathroom and Raffaele’s dna on the bra clasp. The judge also believed Rudy was an equal accomplice with the other two. However, what seems to have convinced him most of all is the behaviour of the three; the confusion in their memories, the triple versions, trying to ‘cover’ for each other (at least in regard to Raffaele and Amanda). Other testimonies were weaker, in particular, the Albanian who claimed to have seen the three the night before the murder. His testimony was excluded from the body of evidence.
#11 truthandaccuracy
on November 26, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.(Reno, NV | Unverified Name)
that is a reporter's opinion, not a police report or judge's statement. Keep trying though.
"Raffaele was wimping out in the hallway as those big burly postal police shouldered the door in, a thing this self proclaimed kickboxer was unable to achieve."
Sorry, DF2K, you avoided the point fairly badly.
#12 Black Dog
on November 26, 2008 at 5:47 p.m.(Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
DF2K????????
HUH?
wierd.
#13 pav
on November 27, 2008 at 4:50 a.m.(Florahome, FL | Unverified Name)
well, if nothing else this murder will make a great movie/book someday. No matter what the out come the suspense is killing me.(no pun indended). lets step back, take a deep breath on both sides and be glad we aren't the judge or the jury. Not a pleasnt job by any means, except for those who are so inclined. And if you are, go to law school, join the police force or become a private investigator. That will satisfy your need and desire to get the real facts on a case without media contamination.
#14 Alice
on December 2, 2008 at 6:09 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
How can people raise money for someone suspected of such a heinous crime? Do I get my money back if she is found guilty? And where is the mention of the victim in the story, disgusting.
#15 Annie
on December 2, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.(Kennewick, WA | Unverified Name)
Amanda is innocent. Raffaele is innocent. No credible evidence connects either person to the crime. Amanda and Meredith were friends before the police and media got their hands on Amanda's life and wrote fiction about the girls. Hey Kelly, good words.
#16 Alexa
on December 6, 2008 at 5:58 a.m.(Arlington, VA | Unverified Name)
The evidence linking Amanda and Raffaele to the crime is circumstantial at best.
These poor kids have been demonized by the media in order to sell newspapers--it is really sick. Wake up, people!
Also, I am not at all impressed with the prosecutor of this case. As someone who lived in Italy for many years I have seen these type of theatrics before. The whole orgy/vampire/sex cult theory would be laughable (considering the evidence, or lack there of I should say) in a US court of law, but in Italy it is par for the course.
#17 Harry Rag
on December 6, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.(Sheffield, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Hi Annie,
There were several point of friction between Amanda and Meredith before Meredith was murdered. At the trial you'll hear testimony from eyewitnesses about their strained relationship.
The evidence against Amanda and Raffale is so overwhelming that every single judge who has looked at the evidence has refused to grant them bail or house arrest.
#18 Trieste
on December 8, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name)
Kelly13,
The same bafoon who demanded that the Kercher family "set aside their grief" and publicly support Amanda Knox. Kelly13 even wanted the Kercher family to contribute financially to Amanda Knox's defense fund. Disgusting.
#19 Linmaf
on January 15, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Perhaps some of you morons who support this accused murderess would feel differently if her victim had been another American. In the same way as Bush, you think you can just slaughter whomever is inconvenient, or even sometimes just for fun. The world hopes that the US will change with the election of Obama. Judging from some of the comments here, your nation still has a long way to go. Please don't think you are welcome abroad.
#20 Em
on January 23, 2009 at 11:45 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Dear Linmaf--
Remember this one?
"THE SUN NEVER SETS ON THE BRITISH EMPIRE."
Must have been a 'peaceful' take-over.
Yours,
A Stupid American
#21 Richelle
on January 24, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
I don't know whether she's innocent or guilty, but I do think it's rather bold of her family to be asking for financial help publicly.
I also can't help but notice the strong British-American split here in the comments. Whether you are in favor of guilt or acquittal, you have unfairly come to a verdict in a trial that hasn't even taken place. I can only assume that you on both sides are simply brainlessly believing different versions of media hype, which is exactly what you're blaming each other for.
#22 Walt
on December 8, 2009 at 5:19 p.m.(Lawrence, KS | Unverified Name)
Casey:
Do you have info on how or where one could contribute to Amanda Knox's family for her legal and family support? And how we can verify that it is a legitimate site or account for the family. Maybe you could encourage a news agency to publicize the fund. Thanks, Walt
Post a comment