By
Andrew Doughman,
Will Mari
June 5, 2008
In a case marked by disputed evidence, cultural misunderstanding and Internet rumor, murder suspect Amanda Knox has yet to go to trial for the November 2007 slaying of her British housemate, Meredith Kercher.
Knox has been in jail near Perugia, Italy, for seven months. Arrested partially based on her behavior during the days following the murder, her pre-trial incarceration has fueled conjecture regarding her guilt or innocence.
“The fact that she’s been sitting in custody a long time only leads to more speculation,” said Joseph Weis, a UW sociology professor who studies murder. “Anything you or I state is a total guess.”
In the meantime, her friends, family and neutral parties want the case to proceed to trial as soon as possible.
“I hope the Italians can sort it out quickly,” said UW president Mark Emmert. “Italian law is not known for its speed.”
A trial may commence within weeks, but Knox can be held without formal charges until November.
Police arrested Knox several days after the murder because they thought she was acting strangely following Kercher’s death. Domestic and international media have cited Knox’s visit to an Italian store selling lingerie as one of these instances of strange behavior.
Paul Ciolino, a private investigator who examined the case for a CBS TV special, said the police’s initial suspicion was unfounded.
Ciolino recounted to The Daily how he spoke with one of the Italian investigators for the case.
The Italian investigator was trying to get in touch with Knox’s then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and discovered Knox was eating pizza three days after Kercher’s murder, Ciolino said.
Ciolino paraphrased him, telling The Daily that the investigator was shocked that Knox was enjoying pizza, and that he would’ve still been crying in bed.
Reporters for Vanity Fair and a UK Channel 4 video documentary also conducted interviews with Perugian residents and students, who expressed that Knox had not displayed enough grief following Kercher’s death.
But these grounds for suspicion aren’t enough for an initial arrest, some say.
“She was eating dinner and this was what police decided was their reason to go after her,” Ciolino said.
Knox’s reaction could also be one of several typical reactions to witnessing trauma.
“It could also mean she was personally in a state of shock and frightened to death,” Weis said. “Some people shut down. Other people explode. The fact that she was stoic doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
The American press — including The Daily — has faced criticism for its coverage from readers who believe that the media has been biased about Knox’s innocence or guilt.
The lack of on-the-ground reporting has limited American media coverage, leading to “untruths” about the case, said Knox’s mother Edda Mellas.
“I don’t believe anything I read or see in the news anymore, because of all they wrote about Amanda,” she said.
Mellas has spoken with her daughter every Monday via monitored telephone conversations lasting no longer than 10 minutes.
“She only wants to know if I’m okay,” Mellas said.
As for extending her sympathies to the Kercher family, Mellas has been advised to wait.
“There was a lot of discussion of what to do; we talked to the lawyers and we wanted to express our condolences,” she said.
But with the negative press about Knox circulating at the time, she said it would be best to hold off for the time being.
“This is not about Meredith Kercher,” Ciolino said. “Speaking up for Amanda does not make you anti-Meredith.”
But until Italian authorities formally present their evidence and reporters get access to more information, speculation will continue, said Candace Dempsey, a Seattle-based journalist who has written extensively about the case for her blog on the Seattle P-I’s Web site.
“What we’ve seen so far are leaks and secrecy,” Dempsey said.
The media coverage of the case is not the most pressing matter for Knox’s mother. While she has been disappointed in the coverage, she would like to see the trial happen as soon as possible.
“I want whoever did this to stand and take responsibility and have justice served,” she said. “I’m hoping it happens in the next couple of weeks.”
45 Comments
#1 Dave
on June 5, 2008 at 4:26 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Seattle - You can be very proud of your finest daughter Amanda... she has been so brave amounst all of this...
YOu should grant her the key to the City in recognition of her bravery against those nasty and evil European people....
It is all so unjust...
PS - Who is Merdith?
PPS - Who the hell is Canadace.. I though she only wrote books on cooking???
#2 Dave2
on June 5, 2008 at 5:51 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
“I hope the Italians can sort it out quickly,” said UW president Mark Emmert. “Italian law is not known for its speed.”
Hey Markie boy a quick recommendation to you and your fellow students.. if you are going to commit murder or be part of a murder best to sh*t on on your own door step in Washington and commit the crim there if you want a quick murder case and court hearing....
Can you spread the word to everyone on that side of the pond please!
ta buddy
#3 sara
on June 5, 2008 at 7:06 a.m.(Hounslow, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
All 3 are in on it, the unjustice is that Meredith is dead and all other suspect know what happened that night and arent telling, to save there own skins. Now where is the justice in that?!!
#4 Right Said Fred
on June 5, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Sara - Spot on!
The lies... lies and more lies... that has been AK's common theme snice the beginning in between a spot of head spinning when asked a question.....
Justice will be served in this and the Mellas and AK's friends can deal with their blind faith.. and Candace can start to write about cooking again.... life will return to relative normality and the Kerchers can deal with the grief of their loss.....
RIP Meredith
#5 stars and stripes
on June 5, 2008 at 7:14 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
OJ simpson = good olde american justice
#6 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 7:18 a.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
"anything you or i state is a total guess"..
this is true.
However, it should be stated there was a lot more for police to go on to suspect amanda and her bf for murder.
lets start with how they found meredith - the police arrived because of two abondoned mobile phones which were traced to the house. once the postal police arrived there they found both amanda and raffaele outside. the washing machine was still running and in it were the clothes of the victim and amandas plus lots of bleach. how long does a washing machine spin last? not more than 2 hours usually. within that time amanda had apparently gone to take a shower at the murder scene with all the blood in the bathroom, thought it strange then went back to raffaels house to get him to come with her to the apartment and check it out. the police believe that the victims clothes were washed with bleach to clean off damning DNA evidence. also it should be noted that bleach was used to clean the crime scene, cleansing all prints from amandas room - they didn't even find 1 single print in her room and she had been staying there for months! coincidentally (if you wish) bleach was used the morning of the murder at raffaels house. bleach which was bought that morning while they were both apparently asleep and he already has a maid (who did not buy the bleach herself).
also about how the postal police found the 2 outside; amanda and rafa claim that they had just called the police - but phone records show that rafa called the police shortly after the postal police arrived - this seems to be in vain as he wanted to justify his presence and lack of action at the murder scene.
i won't go into any more detail - namely eye-wtinesses who saw amanda that night or DNA evidence which link amanda and the victim to a knife consistent with the victims wounds, nor her conflicting alibi with rafa etc etc.
i just wanted to show you that the police had more than enough to go on to suspect the 2.
don't be an "american idiot" - and not all europeans are evil
#7 Passing by
on June 5, 2008 at 7:23 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Daniel... a good brief summary to show that this is not all down to the British press and Italian judicial system...
Throw into your list, drink and drugs... a spot of sex.... alibis that do not match each other let alone any evidence... like Sara says all 3 involved in this and not one man enough, or woman enough nor with the decency to admit their role.....
I hope they rot in hell for what they have done.. they deserve bo symapthy and any sympathy I had for ethir familes and friends has also evaporated... sorry!
#8 Candle
on June 5, 2008 at 8:21 a.m.(Sumner, WA | Unverified Name)
Paul Ciolino is the one who said of this case when referring to a footprint found at the murder scene,
"id's kinda like if da glove don'd fid, da shoe don'd fid."
So, yes, Ciolino is saying - wink, wink, can't get AK & RS on this one, 'cause the glove, I mean, the shoe don'd fid. Giggles.
Classy people. The Knox family did not send their condolences to the family of the murder victim -- that would be Meredith Kercher.
Do normal people really have to consult an attorney for something like this?
They seem to respect no other boundaries -- tacky Free Amanda t-shirts held up by a laughing and smiling sister. Such vulgar, vulgar people. No decorum. They probably don't even know the meaning of the word.
#9 Candle
on June 5, 2008 at 8:23 a.m.(Sumner, WA | Unverified Name)
"“I hope the Italians can sort it out quickly,” said UW president Mark Emmert. “Italian law is not known for its speed.”"
And now the University of Washington is known abroad for something else ... a murder suspect.
Sorry Mark, that the Italians haven't been able to fast-track this case for your student. How dare they take so long! This should have been cleared up over Christmas Break.
I mean, it was only a murder after all...
#10 The Bounder
on June 5, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.(Menasha, WI | Unverified Name)
Has anyone who commented on this article actually researched anything? Daniel, you have to be the most ignorant of all. You really should have quit after your first two lines.
"Anything you or I state is a total guess."
This is true.
The rest of your posting is complete speculation. Have you seen any phone records which indicate that Raffe called the police after they arrived at the murder scene? Did you read any court documents which experts state the knife w/ Amanda's DNA on the handle is indeed the murder weapon? When did you discover Meredith's clothes in the washer along w/ Amanda's and bleach the morning after? And let me guess, Amanda told you she took a shower in the blood soaked bathroom at the crime scene the morning after?
As you stated in the beginning of your post, "Anything you or I state is a total guess," yet you have simply read these things in tabloids/newspapers and believed them to be fact.
Now you tell me, Daniel, who's the "American idiot" here?
#11 Look at the laughing stocks
on June 5, 2008 at 9:24 a.m.(Mercer Island, WA | Unverified Name)
I see all the nutcases from the UK rushed in to comment. Yeah, you're right, we should stop holding trials here in the U.S. We should just let Britons READ about a case and decide whether to lynch the suspects or not.
But first, shouldn't you guys over there be sorting out your own little problems with violence?
This just in:
"London wakes up to 'knife culture' after 16 teen deaths so far this year"
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...
#12 American Idiot
on June 5, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.(Menasha, WI | Unverified Name)
So who profits from all the leaked information in this case? The newspapers obviously, but who are they getting their information from? Do they pay for it? How much do they pay? It's not coming from the investigators, is it?
Well, at least all of the information leaked thus far has been proven to be true. I mean, sure they threw out the confession and all, but this is still about a sex game gone wrong. At least the investigators theory on what happened hasn't changed.
Man, I'm sure glad that these investigators are reliable people. It would be awful sketchy if they had pending charges against them for misguiding investigations in other cases.
#13 analyzing the
on June 5, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.(Sumner, WA | Unverified Name)
"lynch the suspects"
I believe this is more of an American approach to mete out justice.
Perhaps you haven't heard, but the death penalty doesn't exist in the United Kingdom.
Also, did you know that the VICTIM in this case was ENGLISH?
Not American.
But an American is being held on suspicion of murdering this English victim, Meredith Kercher.
Regarding "knife culture", yes, the American held is accused of having been involved in the brutal stabbing (knife culture) of Meredith.
"We should just let Britons READ about a case and decide whether to lynch the suspects or not."
So, YOU are playing an active role in this case, are you?
Not just "READ"ing about it?
Are you taking a telepathic approach to this case rather than reading all of the reports, evidence, etc.?
Tarot cards?
Psychic?
Hmm.
Now just who is the "laughing stock" here?
#14 Blather
on June 5, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.(Sumner, WA | Unverified Name)
"they threw"
"C" is that you?
#15 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
In response to #10 The Bounder
Have you seen any phone records which indicate that Raffe called the police after they arrived at the murder scene?
Well i believe only the police would have those records and it was them who stated this fact.
Did you read any court documents which experts state the knife w/ Amanda's DNA on the handle is indeed the murder weapon?
The forensic report quite clearly stated that the knife WAS consistent with the cuts to the victim.
And let me guess, Amanda told you she took a shower in the blood soaked bathroom at the crime scene the morning after?
If you read her statements she clearly says she took a shower and noticed the blood.
As for actually reading the authentic forensic reports or court documents - well i don't believe anyone other than those directly involved would have.
I'm basing my facts upon what credible officials have stated in the media - much like everyone else.
these independent officials would have no motive to frame an innocent person - whereas amandas defense have every motive to rubbish these damning reports and findings.
i invite you to research all i have written - it is out there in the public domain.
Just don't be so naive to believe the police are framing her and she is the only one telling the truth
#16 Justice NOW!
on June 5, 2008 at 10:13 a.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
# 15 Daniel
Yeah i can back you up on that.
I've read more or less the same things.
It's just paranoia to believe that the police or forensic officials would purposely falsify evidence to frame Amanda.
American Idiots!
#17 Kara
on June 5, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.(Hendersonville, TN | Unverified Name)
"i invite you to research all i have written - it is out there in the public domain."
Daniel,
I'd be interested in reading your information. How do I find it?
Thank you!
#18 Bound This
on June 5, 2008 at 11:14 a.m.(Zionsville, PA | Unverified Name)
To the Bounder,
Hey, it was some guy who claims to be Amanda's stepfather who verified that she took a shower in the bathroom, then noticed a few little drops of blood.
Granted, she said it in, wait, that's right, she has only ever had one story, the cops made her lie but gee, she said she took a shower in a bloody bathroom, too. But it's okay because, well, they did share a bathroom and the blood of roommates gets mixed all the time, especially when Amanda just had her ear pierced 13 times and it was bleeding because they always bleed when you get out of the shower, right, Sam?
#19 The Bounder
on June 5, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.(Menasha, WI | Unverified Name)
Daniel - In response I will use your own words.
As for actually reading the authentic forensic reports or court documents - well i don't believe anyone other than those directly involved would have.
Are you 'directly involved' Daniel?
1. You did NOT read a quote from the Police regarding the phone records. If you had, you would provide me w/ a link stating this as a FACT.
2. You did NOT mention anything about the washer/dryer question in your response. Hmmm, must not even be able to find a tabloid link on that one. You pulled that one directly from your rectal area, didn't you?
3. You will NOT be able to provide me w/ a link to forensic evidence stating 'the knife' IS the murder weapon. There isn't one that exists. Go back and reread the articles. It's all speculation.
4. Which of Amanda statements are you referring to? These wouldn't be statements made during the alleged confession, would they? The same confession the court ruled MUST be thrown out due the nature of the interrogation.
It's amazing how you've been so wise at sifting through all the evidence that the tabloids/newspapers('The Police' as you call them) have provided. I suppose you don't remember anything false released by the press. How many times has the murder weapon changed? What happened to that hand print on the victims face that was suppose to match perfectly w/ Amanda's hand? I could go on and on but I'm starting to realize you're gonna believe what you want to believe. One thing is for sure...It must be frustrating waiting for the investigators to charge the suspects w/ such a pile of clear-cut evidence.
I see the evidence differently.
There is very little evidence which links Amanda & Raffe to this crime and a pile of it that links Rudy. But that's not a sex game gone wrong. That's just an intruder rape/murder. That happens all the time. That's boring.
and get this....I'M AN AMERICAN!
#20 The Bounder
on June 5, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.(Menasha, WI | Unverified Name)
In response to #18 - Bound This
Take your time. Form sentences. Be a big boy. Don't believe everything you read. Be creative. Come up with your own name. You can do it.
#21 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 12:04 p.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
17 Kara
the obvious answer would be to google it.
however i have saved you the hassle:
sollecitos statements
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknew...
"At 9pm I went home alone and Amanda said that she was going to Le Chic because she wanted to meet some friends. We said goodbye. I went home, I rolled myself a spliff and made some dinner."
"She told me that when she went back home she found the door wide open and traces of blood in the little bathroom.
"I looked to see if it was true what Amanda had told me about the blood in the bathroom and I noticed drops of blood in the sink, while on the mat there was something strange - a mixture of blood and water, while the rest of the bathroom was clean.
"She told me to call 121 (the Italian emergency number) but in the meantime the postal police arrived.
the above quotes cover the conflicting alibis, blood in the bathroom, the non-calling of police before the postal police arrive.
also:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news...
Luca Maori, one of Mr Sollecito’s lawyers, accused the postal police of falsifying facts by saying that they had arrived at the cottage at 12.35 the day after the murder to investigate the discovery of Ms Kercher’s mobile phones in a nearby garden and found Mr Sollecito and Ms Knox at the scene.
He said that the defence would show that the police had arrived half an hour later. Their claim that Mr Sollecito had not called the Carabinieri to report “a break-in” until after the postal police arrived was therefore false. Mr Sollecito had made the call before the postal police turned up at the cottage to investigate the lost phones, found Ms Kercher’s door locked and broke it down, discovering her body, Mr Maori maintained.
this in itself conflicts with what sollecito said!
finally on the knife being compatible with the victims wounds:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news...
The forensic science experts said a kitchen knife found at Mr Sollecito's flat with the DNA of both Ms Knox and Ms Kercher on it was "not incompatible" with the wounds to Ms Kercher's throat. It could also have been used to cut the strap of Ms Kercher's bra.
need i say more?
and don't try to claim THE TIMES or TELEGRAPH are tabloids...
#22 Kara
on June 5, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.(Hendersonville, TN | Unverified Name)
I'm sorry, Daniel. I thought that you meant YOU had written lots about this case. I see now I misread your post. Thank you though for replying.
#23 Billie Holiday
on June 5, 2008 at 12:10 p.m.(Allentown, PA | Unverified Name)
Well, Bounder, obviously you are stating that you have read the phone records, or at least trying to imply it. It's reminiscent of some talk of a bloody sheet and hash in the flat downstairs.
At any rate, don't you think calling an accusation a confession is a bit much, even if it was forced/ coerced/beaten out of the suspect? She didn't confess to doing anything; she blamed an innocent man of something that was apparently due to her education and her dreamy nature (oh, and some psychotropic substances. God, I love that one)
I, for one, don't think Amanda killed Meredith. I believe she knows a lot more than she is telling and I hope she will do the right thing and tell what she truly knows.
There has been misleading leaks and lies throughout this entire case and it seems like the leaks (for example, the "new" mysterious 5th suspect) always come around the time the defense takes another hit, the same way the language and behavior of the supporters of certain suspects becomes more violent and downright nasty.
#24 this is not about nationality
on June 5, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Please stop making this about Britain verse America verse Italy. This is about justice for Meredith. Whoever committed this murder needs to be punished. Everyone agrees with that, regardless of their opinion on Amanda and Raffaele.
To those who think Amanda and Raffaele are guilty: try to be a bit less harsh to those who think they're innocent. They've never said they didn't want justice for Meredith, or that her murder didn't matter, or that it was at all forgivable. In their minds, their loved one is being held without charges for something they absolutely believe they didn't do. Regardless of your stance on this case, any logical person must be able to admit that the handling of the investigation, the evidence, and media representation has been questionable at the very least. The theory on this murder has changed multiple times, Amanda's interrogation was thrown out, suddenly there's another new suspect the police apparently already talked to?!, the police have leaked many theories to the media, the prosecutor claimed the case was closed over a month before DNA testing was completed...it really does go on and on. Saying you think Amanda and Raffaele's detainment is questionable at least, or even thinking they should be released, does not mean you think Meredith should be forgotten. If there was sufficient evidence to suggest Amanda and Raffaele did this, no one would want them released. But instead, we see another injustice occurring. To make it even worse, this is a disrespect to Meredith, as it meant that charging her actual murderer will take an even longer time.
RIP Meredith
#25 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
22 Kara
if i had written about this case and only i asserted the stated facts then it would be questionable.
however the fact it came from the horses mouth, ie raffaele sollecito, speaks volumes.
19 The Bounder
have you been directly involved?
i would guess not..
why on earth would anyone with reasonable intelligence actually believe that all media covering this case, tabloids and respectable newspapers, concoct their own version of events and concur with each other to get their stories straight with a view to misleading the masses by incriminating innocent people?
hang on - the motive to do this, according to you, is because it's only a simple rape/intruder case and that's boring - too boring to sell their publications.
all this without actually sourcing anything from the Police.
give me a break!!!
you obviously have your own views and i respect that.
but to discredit police and suspect statements because they come from the newspapers is naive in the extreme.
#26 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 1:05 p.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
some good points from an earlier post on seattle blog:
whether amanda is guilty or not for murder - she is definitely hiding something.
i mean somebody is lying!
even her bf disagrees with her alibi.
she claims to have spent the whole night with him - he says she left for some hours that night.
even a polish girl saw and spoke with amanda as she left rafas house. also an italian man claims to have seen the couple spying on the murder scene that night.
there are many many indiscretions in her alibi. and for each hole that is punched in her story - her answer was always the same, can't remember cos i smoked weed.
weed does not cause blackouts. plus it becomes even more implausible that both rafa and amanda use this excuse.
going back to rafas claim about her leaving his house and the polish girl who saw her leave - are we to believe that everyone is lying except amanda?!
of course this doesn't mean she is guilty of murder but when you couple that with the cctv image of her that night heading towards the house, rudy claiming she was present, her DNA on the supposed murder weapon, her initial confession, her harry potter book (which was part of her alibi) found at the murder scene, her taped confession to her mother that she was there that night, etc etc etc. it just doesn't look good.
i mean she is lying about many things - or else she is telling the truth and everyone is lying, including cctv and DNA evidence.
to believe that defies logic.
you would either be related to her or her friend or completely naive or brainwashed by the seattle media to believe that she is telling the whole truth.
personally i can't imagine she would actually cut the throat of another woman, but she may have been an acomplice.
there are plenty of motives - we know amanda was a drug user and we know that money was missing from meredith so it is possible that amanda & co killed meredith in a botched robbery.
we also know that amanda was quite promiscuous (of course this is relative - but even in this day and age, socially it would be considered quite daring and promiscuous for someone to admit to sleeping with a complete stranger on a train - not to mention the multiple partners of "strange men" (the words of merediths friends who were concerned that one of amandas conquests could be responsible for the murder).
so that's another motive - a sex game gone wrong..
i think that we should wait until the trial but if you must speculate then you should take all these facts into account - and the intelligent conclusion is not good for amandas chances
#27 The Bounder
on June 5, 2008 at 1:47 p.m.(Menasha, WI | Unverified Name)
Daniel 25
I have not done anything to discredit the statements the newspapers have made. They write the stories they pay for. It's unfortunate for them their source has changed their story so many times throughout the investigation.
The timeline is a joke. The murder weapon is a joke. The sex game gone wrong is joke. All the other motives they provided for Amanda/Raffe are jokes. The confession is a joke. The entire investigation is a joke. Still you would like convict two stoners for not showing enough compassion. C'mon dude. They don't have any real evidence against Amanda or Raffe. You and I both know that.
All of the articles you posted to Kara are speculative. There's no proof a crime has been committed. Do you really think you can convict someone on he said/she said hearsay? You seem like a smart guy, so I'm amazed you would spend so much time looking up bs when you know it's bs. It would never hold up in a US court w/ 12 unbiased jurors. That's for damn sure.
I'm glad that you respect my opinions. I used to share your opinion. I felt awful when I first heard about Meredith's murder some 7 months ago. Still do. It's disgusting. I was angry and I posted comments just like yours. We all want justice. But then the evidence stopped making sense. The story started to change and I learned about the lead investigator, Giuliano Mignini. He is currently being investigated for intentionally misguiding investigations on a different case, have you heard? I'm sure you were just as frustrated while you watched the case against Amanda & Raffe fall apart. However, for some reason, your opinion never changed. You became old and stubborn. Your mind was already made up and you were unable to change w/ reality...and that my son...I will never respect.
#28 daniel
on June 5, 2008 at 2:34 p.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
27 The Bounder
you say:The timeline is a joke. The murder weapon is a joke. The sex game gone wrong is joke. All the other motives they provided for Amanda/Raffe are jokes. The confession is a joke. The entire investigation is a joke
what's all this based on?
the timeline has changed somewhat as new evidence has emerged but the suspects remain the suspects.
the murder weapon remains the murder weapon - in fact it seems more likely now to be the murder weapon given the forensic reports on it.
the sex game theory has not been abandoned, the only thing related to this is that signs of rape are inconclusive, because there is no bruising consistent with rape. however with a knife at your throat it's unlikely you would struggle or resist a sexual attack.
the other motive i know of is the botched robbery, which is not a joke, as we know amanda was a drug user and everyone knows drugs will make you do desperate things for money.
did you ever read the confession? its does not bare the hallmarks of a vague dreamt up confession. obviously we know now she was lying to accuse Patrick. she even said she was scared of Patrick - did the police coerce her into saying this?
personally i think amanda is innocent of murder - i can't believe she could strike the fatal blow..
however it is clear she is not telling the whole truth. perhaps she is covering for someone.
i heard all about miignini - but thats a different case, different story.
and hes being investigated - does that mean hes guilty? because if we were to go by that logic then you would be eating your words, right?
lets be clear on something - we do not share your misconception that the case is falling apart.
nothing at all has indicated this.
in fact, both suspects have tried on numerous occasions to be let out of jail (house arrest) but failed. why? because there is still such damning evidence against them.
i don't want to repeat myself about all the evidence but it all stands up despite the best attempts from the defense.
you are probably right about it never happening in the US - i don't know enough about your system..
however you did produce the OJ Simpson case, good job that one, it really shows that justice in the US is something to be admired ;)
#29 s
on June 5, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.(Beaverton, OR | Unverified Name)
isn't there an english blog somewhere that all you idiots could go and bitch about how much you hate americans, it would be a lot less clutter to sift through
#30 Carl
on June 5, 2008 at 5:57 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Just thought I'd make a few points.
On Guilt and Innocence—
I don't know if Amanda is guilty or not. Nobody commenting here does. Some may think she's guilty, some may think she's innocent. But ultimately, adopting one's personal opinion as point of fact and ascribing sinister motives on all who dare to differ will not make that opinion fact. Wishing (or ranting endlessly) doesn't make it so.
On the Media—
News flash! The media profits off of sensationalism and has a profit motive to hype up stories to increase readership/viewership. This is not a new revelation, nor is it limited to the British press as some seem to think. It's certainly sad that many media outlets are turning a tragedy into a media circus, but once again this is standard faire. It must be noted, though, that media bias in this situation is not one-sided. On one side we have accounts of sexual behavior, buying habits, and drug use being used as 'proof' of Amanda's guilt. Obviously, this is a stretch. On the other hand, we have the brilliant Paul Ciolino stating that "Jesuit-educated high school girls who are high honors students ... don't participate in orgies and homicides ... They don't do it." Clearly Ciolino, believes that being white, christian, and college educated is prima facie evidence of one's innocence. The important point here, again, is that the media being crass and irresponsible does not change whether or not Amanda is guilty. It only changes what the public thinks about it. Guilt or innocence—and thank god for this—is not decided in the court of public opinion, but in a court of LAW. Once the case is presented, a better picture of what has happened will hopefully emerge.
Continued...
#31 Carl
on June 5, 2008 at 5:58 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
On Criminal Justice—
Yes, the United States and Italy have different laws and procedures for criminal cases. As they are different countries on different continents this should really come as no surprise. Additionally, it might be useful to withhold judgement on the fairness of the Italian justice system until the trial actually happens. We may not like how long Amanda been held without trial and consider it to be a flaw in the Italian justice system. However, I think it bears mentioning that if Amanda is found guilty there are no circumstances whatsoever under which the death penalty will ever be considered as an option. The Death penalty is banned under article 27 of the Italian Constitution. In the United States? Not so much. Not having the right to a speedy trial as guaranteed by the 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution may be unfortunate, but let's not pat ourselves on the back for our Justice system just yet. Remember that in this country we have a distinct taste for KILLING our criminals—some of whom have very likely been innocent.
For my part, I hope a trial comes shortly and is carried out fairly. I hope Meredith Kercher's family will find some closure in the outcome, whatever it may be. Most of all I hope that ALL of those who have suffered from the effects of this terrible crime will find emotional support and healing from their families and communities in these trying times.
#32 B-Town
on June 6, 2008 at 1:02 a.m.(Leiden, Netherlands | Unverified Name)
This article is OK (for a student rag), I guess. However, why do you acknowledge (and even quote) Canace Dempsey on this? She's no journalist - she's a Seattle housewife who has too much time on her hands - and blogs incessantly about this case. Have you ever tried to read her blog? I suspect she b.s.'d you into thinking she was legit.
Take her out of it.
Also - I say Knox should get seven years for being annoying and "douchey" - but put her in Purdy - don't give her the glamour of an Italian prison.
#33 Right Said Fred
on June 6, 2008 at 3:56 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
29 - isn't there an english blog somewhere that all you idiots could go and bitch about how much you hate americans, it would be a lot less clutter to sift through
We do not hate Americans.... we just hate American blind idiots....
Big difference.......
#34 B-town
on June 6, 2008 at 4:23 a.m.(Leiden, Netherlands | Unverified Name)
"Right Said Fred" likes to wank it to pictures of Rudy Guede...
#35 Right Said Fred
on June 6, 2008 at 4:41 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
B-town....
Has a penis the size of a thimble... and likes to rub gently it to pictures of AK and the lovely muscle tones in her well defined arms whilst huming the tune 'Let it Be'....
#36 pipe down
on June 6, 2008 at 6:07 a.m.(Indianapolis, IN | Unverified Name)
Everyone needs to pipe down and be rational, or at least ACT rationally. Evidence published in the STAR is not real evidence, evidence broadcast on 20/20 is not real evidence, evidence leaked by the police is not real evidence.
Real evidence is what is presented in court.
Go to trial, Italy. Get it over with.
My sympathies to the family of MK.
#37 Chris
on June 6, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
Well said pipe down... let us wait until court... buying a T-shirt will change nothing!
#38 truthsquad
on June 6, 2008 at 8:12 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Any assumption that any of you actually know what the evidence is in this case lies at the heart of the injustice being done to Amanda Knox. So-called "witnesses" paid for their stories by British and Italian tabloids, rumor-mongering, fabricated evidence, unnamed sources, translation problems, pseudo-detective 24/7 anonymous bloggers, discredited police leaks, a complete absence of any real and credible print journalism being done about this case - not to mention an inexperienced provincial prosecutor already facing formal charges for "abuse of office" (yet still on the job!) - have all contributed to this travesty. I applaud the U-W for finally attempting to help bring the truth to light. The university, as well as our larger Seattle community, should awaken and rally to Amanda's cause. Our elected officials need to step forward on behalf of an uncharged American student who has essentially been held hostage in a foreign country for the past seven months.
#39 Kabuki Korner
on June 6, 2008 at 8:26 a.m.(Sumner, WA | Unverified Name)
"...an uncharged American student who has essentially been held hostage in a foreign country for the past seven months."
Now she's being held hostage!
Is she being tortured, as well?!?
You're right, this is a matter of National Security!
Please.
#40 Dave Still Knows
on June 6, 2008 at 8:34 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
thruthsquad
You are a buffon....
Please put your head in that toilet that AK is sitting on and pull the chain!
#41 Jane
on June 6, 2008 at 8:37 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
truthsquad......
The university, as well as our larger Seattle community, should awaken and rally to Amanda's cause
Get real buddy....
She is involved in a murder case.. she is where she should be until she is tried.... and justice is done....
Live with it
Focus on your studying ....
#42 Lou
on June 6, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.(Redmond, WA | Unverified Name)
I don't know about you all, but I think Amanda is teh HAWT!!!
Murderesses are super fiesty in the sack and not knowing if you are going to draw another breath only adds to the eroticism. If she ever gets out, I get first dibs!
#43 downtown
on June 6, 2008 at 4:08 p.m.(Dublin, Ireland | Unverified Name)
38 truthsquad
your post contradicts itself, it makes no sense at all..
"Any assumption that any of you actually know what the evidence is in this case lies at the heart of the injustice being done to Amanda Knox."
some things are absolute and you cannot deny them - such as conflicting alibis, forensic reports, cctv images, etc etc.
what's more you say:
"The university, as well as our larger Seattle community, should awaken and rally to Amanda's cause."
hang on - didn't you say nobody knows the evidence - yet you're sure of her innocence?!
you're an idiot and you're not fooling anyone
#44 Harry Rag
on December 26, 2008 at 6:23 p.m.(Manchester, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
There are two excellent websites about the Meredith Kercher case:
True Justice For Meredith Kercher:
http://truejustice.org/ee/index.php
Perugia Murder File:
http://perugiamurderfile.freeforums.o...
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.
The case against Amanda Knox 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.
Respected NBC crime analyst Clint Van Zandt made the following comments:
"...there is a difficult road ahead for the two remaining suspects. I too believe that the forensic evidence and, in my case, especially the indicated behavior of the two suspects was highly telling."
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.
#45 Mary Donnner
on February 3, 2009 at 1:36 a.m.(Mercer Island, WA | Unverified Name)
Harry Rag is the notorious Internet troll also known as The Machine and Fast Pete. His sites are full of hate speech and smear tactics. I would not believe anything he says on any topic. He is a truly ugly human being.
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