Ellington

Amanda Knox appeals trial

Conflicting testimony

Amanda Knox’s appeals trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher resumed on March 12 in Perugia, Italy. According to The Seattle Times, Antonio Curatolo, a prosecution witness, gave a contradictory testimony on March 26. In the first trial in 2009, Curatolo testified that he saw Knox and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito in a square near the house where Kercher’s body was found on Nov. 2, 2007. The testimony was important because it contradicted Knox and Sollecito’s claim that they were at Sollecito’s house the night of the murder.

On Saturday, Curatolo said that he thought the night he saw Knox and Sollecito in the square was Halloween. However, The Seattle Times reported that he was unable to identify the date of Halloween, saying it was either Nov. 1 or Nov. 2. He also said that he remembered seeing police at the house the morning after he saw Knox and Sollecito in the square.

Despite the confusion of dates, prosecutors insisted that Curatolo’s testimony was reliable.

DNA levels too low to test

Forensic experts in the appeals trial have found low traces of DNA on the knife allegedly used in Kercher’s murder but have said it is possibly too small to determine whether it is Knox’s DNA, according to The Seattle Times. The experts are also reviewing traces of DNA found on Kercher’s bra clasp.

The defense has maintained that the DNA traces presented at the first trial were inconclusive and requested the review of the DNA evidence for the appeals trial. The Seattle Times reported that though experts say the DNA levels on the knife remain too low to be tested, the prosecution may ask for a retest anyway.

Jiggles strip club shut down

Jiggles strip club, which opened in December, was ordered to shut down by a King County Superior Court judge on March 11.

Judge Suzanne Barnett ruled the closure effective immediately. The Seattle Times reported that the city wanted to shut down the club, arguing that the owner, Bob Davis, had not received the proper permits. Barnett ruled that Davis would have to obtain a permit from the city, establishing a new use for the property for the club to operate legally.

Another issue brought up in the trial was the club’s location. According to The Seattle Times, Jiggles sits near a school, child-care center, community center and a public park. Under city law, adult cabarets must be at least 800 feet from places where children congregate.

Davis argued that he had the proper permits all along and has a lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court about Seattle’s laws regulating locations for strip clubs.

GET credits: increasing popularity

Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) credits have been selling at a record rate. The GET program allows families to invest money into accounts, buying credits at $117 apiece, and GET guarantees that the value of the account will increase with tuition increases. The Seattle Times reported that the popularity of GET credits right now could be related to a possible increase in the price of them in the future.

Lately, the program has been bringing in $1 million to $2 million daily and adding about 200 new families each day. Meanwhile, state legislators are considering Substitute Senate Bill 5749 that would change the terms of the payouts for GET. The legislation would not affect GET credits purchased before Aug. 1. Legislators are concerned that the state will not be able to match tuition increases. The bill is currently in the House Higher Education Committee. No significant action is expected until after the Office of the State Actuary releases a report March 31 on the financial status of GET.

According to The Seattle Times, GET contains about $1.4 billion in assets, and the money is invested in stocks, bonds and other investments, much like a pension fund. There are nearly 129,000 GET accounts. Investors have until April 30 to purchase credits at the current price of $117 each.

Search for UW president

The UW’s search for a new president continues, and the president will be selected by the Board of Regents. The Seattle Times reported that, “while the regents are being tight-lipped about the finalists, a couple of people who have seen the shortlist say the university has lured some strong candidates.” As the new president will begin summer quarter, a candidate will be chosen soon.

Reach reporter Sarah Schweppe at news@dailyuw.com.