Amanda Knox

[Dragon35]

This was such a terrible opening post that the whole thing's been wiped clean. For the introduction to this discussion, see the post by JoshYEAH immediately below.

 

[JoshYEAH]

What a very informative opening post you have made. Truly the effort here and the following of the misc. section rules transcends all understanding.

Here is a pretty good BBC video regarding the verdict and the case in general;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15161105

And an actual article;

Amanda Knox and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito have been cleared of killing UK student Meredith Kercher following a successful appeal in Perugia, Italy.

Miss Knox, 24, and Mr Sollecito, 27, had been convicted in 2009 of murdering the Leeds University student, 21, from south London, two years earlier.

American Miss Knox sobbed as they were freed after nearly four years in jail.

Miss Kercher's family said they did not understand how the original verdict could be so "radically overturned".

However, the family - in Perugia for the decision - added in a statement: "We still trust the Italian justice system and hope that the truth will eventually emerge."

The judge had upheld Miss Knox's conviction for slander after she accused bar owner Patrick Diya Lumumba of carrying out the killing. He set the sentence at three years, time that Miss Knox has already served.
'Nightmare over'

But the eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Miss Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.

Miss Knox is expected to fly back to the US on Tuesday. Her family said she had "suffered for four years for a crime she did not commit".

Amanda Knox broke down in tears as Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellmann delivered the verdict

Speaking on the steps of the court, Miss Knox's sister Deanna said: "We are thankful to the court for having the courage to look for the truth and to overturn this conviction."

She said Miss Knox's "nightmare was over" and asked for privacy for her family to recover from "this horrible ordeal".

Her lawyer, Carlo Della Vedova, said outside court that there was "no winner" in the case and the appeal court had "rectified a mistake".

"Meredith was a friend of Amanda - we should never forget this and we have to respect the sorrow of all the families," he told the BBC.

Mr Sollecito's father Francesco said he had "allowed himself some tears" following the verdict.

"We will remember her with affection," he said of Miss Kercher.
'Years of suffering'

"I would have liked to talk to her relatives as well, as they have lost a daughter in a very cruel way.

"But tonight, they have given me back my son."

Amanda Knox collapsed in tears, hugging her lawyers, as the verdict was read out. Her supporters and those of Rafaelle Sollecito cheered at the back of court.

It's been a long battle against lawyers, public opinion and lurid headlines to clear their names. Four years ago, in the days after Meredith Kercher's body was found, it was their erratic behaviour and changing alibis that caught the attention of Perugia's authorities.

Their supporters maintain investigators jumped to conclusions, becoming obsessed with proving their guilt rather than conducting an open-minded investigation.

In this haste, the appeal court heard, mistakes were made - not least in DNA testing. Independent experts dismissed procedures used as well below international standards. Defence lawyers also dismissed the portrayal of Amanda Knox as a danger-seeking, sex-crazed, party girl.

Prosecutors are considering an appeal. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Amanda Knox is expected to make a swift return to the US, where it's understood she'll publish a book about her story.

Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the court ahead of the verdict and some shouted "shame" when they heard about the decision, while others cheered.

Miss Kercher's mother Arline left the court without commenting and was escorted into a waiting car before being driven away. The Kercher family had earlier said they would speak at a news conference the day after the verdict.

Earlier in the day, Miss Knox, who was serving 26 years in jail for the killing, was given a final chance to state her case in a personal statement and she told a packed courtroom she was "paying with her life".

Tearful, and speaking in fluent Italian, the American said: "I did not kill, I did not rape, I did not steal. I was not there."

She added: "I want to go back home. I want to go back to my life. I don't want to be punished. I don't want my life and my future to be taken away for something I didn't do because I am innocent."

Her ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito, who had been given a 25-year term after the initial trial, told the court in his statement that he was in a "nightmare" and said the claims against him were "totally untrue".

Human rights lawyer Paul Gilbert told the BBC News Channel it would be difficult for Miss Knox to get compensation from the Italian justice system as she would need to show she had been the victim of a "malicious prosecution".
'Poor procedures'

Prosecutors had said beforehand they would appeal if the verdict was overturned, although it appears unlikely that Miss Knox would be extradited back to Italy from the US.

They had called for Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito's sentences to be increased to life in prison.

Miss Kercher had been sharing a cottage in Perugia with Miss Knox, who is originally from Seattle, during a year abroad from Leeds University when she was murdered.

There were shouts and jeers from a crowd outside the court following the verdict

Prosecutors said she was killed in a brutal sex game which went wrong. Her throat had been slit and she had been sexually assaulted.

They maintain that Miss Knox's DNA was on the handle of a kitchen knife - found in Mr Sollecito's flat and believed to be the murder weapon - with Miss Kercher's DNA on the blade.

They also said Mr Sollecito's DNA was on the clasp of Miss Kercher's bra.

But an independent review disputed those findings, raising concerns over poor procedures in evidence collection and forensic testing, and possible contamination.

It placed into doubt the attribution of the DNA traces - collected from the crime scene 46 days after the murder.

A third person - Rudy Guede, 24 - had been convicted of Miss Kercher's murder in a separate trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

His conviction was upheld on appeal but his sentence reduced to 16 years.

There's no real "debate" here though. The truth is what the court has decided, and that is a not guilty verdict. It makes sense as well because of the fact the evidence against Amanda was terrible at best. The prosecution and media have made shambles of the entire case, and I for one am glad she's at last walking free.

She's served four years jailtime, three of which were deserved for slander (for some reason Italian law regards slander as a criminal act as opposed to civil) and one which she absolutely should not have served. There is possibility that she may receive a six year sentence for slanderous allegations regarding the Italian police, but that speaks volumes of the Italian legal system - those volumes being that it is severely under developed and promotes corruption far more than a legal system has any right to.

The fact there was a possibility of conviction at all is terrible, given that the evidence at no point could say with 100% certainty that Knox was guilty. As I mentioned though, the Italian legal system is a joke and needs serious review, in particular when it comes to foreigners having to deal with it.

All in all, good thing she's free. Feel quite sorry for her, really.

 

[Armando Payne]

Guilty, but no, the decadent immoral Americans, and the country who are still living in the Mussolini era, can't determine the fact that killing someone is wrong, now she'll make millions, much thanks, ya twats.

 

[JoshYEAH]

Guilty, but no, the decadent immoral Americans, and the country who are still living in the Mussolini era, can't determine the fact that killing someone is wrong, now she'll make millions, much thanks, ya twats.

Except the guy who the evidence actually did point to, and the guy the courts found guilty of killing Meredith, is now behind bars.

Well done you.

 

[7 tyranitars]

There's no real "debate" here though. The truth is what the court has decided, and that is a not guilty verdict. It makes sense as well because of the fact the evidence against Amanda was terrible at best. The prosecution and media have made shambles of the entire case, and I for one am glad she's at last walking free

Basicly this. For once I actualy agree with you. Glad an innocent person is free.

 

[Armando Payne]

^ Look, if 3 people killed someone and one of them's a pretty young female, then you don't go, hey, the DNA proved you did it, there you go free ticket out of here, no you take the fact that you killed someone whilst your country wants to torture and torment an English dude with Aspergers because all Americans are dickweeds who get away with everything because they can (See Amanda Knox, OJ Simpson.) Whereas America could just leave Gary alone so he can get put to jail in England, not sent to his land so he can watch them commit suicide. Also, I severely disbelieve the fact that both America and Italy know anything about justice, America who kills people because they can (see the people who have been falsely found guilty of murder and been sent to be executed) and Italy who's ran by a man who has underage Prostitute orgies. Yeah, maybe I hate Italy, yeah maybe I detest Germany and America, but the fact is she deserved to be sent to jail and that's the truth. Saying her DNA is invalid makes the other man's DNA invalid, but no the dude's not an American PYT, so obviously he must be found guilty of murder, and that's the truth.

 

[Yeul]

I always thought that Foxy Knoxy was innocent, I never saw any murderous intent in her eyes nor did she and the boyfriend look capable of committing something so focking bizarre.
What would they gain from killing Meredith, anyways?

 

[JoshYEAH]

^ Look, if 3 people killed someone and one of them's a pretty young female, then you don't go, hey, the DNA proved you did it, there you go free ticket out of here, no you take the fact that you killed someone whilst your country wants to torture and torment an English dude with Aspergers because all Americans are dickweeds who get away with everything because they can (See Amanda Knox, OJ Simpson.) Whereas America could just leave Gary alone so he can get put to jail in England, not sent to his land so he can watch them commit suicide. Also, I severely disbelieve the fact that both America and Italy know anything about justice, America who kills people because they can (see the people who have been falsely found guilty of murder and been sent to be executed) and Italy who's ran by a man who has underage Prostitute orgies. Yeah, maybe I hate Italy, yeah maybe I detest Germany and America, but the fact is she deserved to be sent to jail and that's the truth. Saying her DNA is invalid makes the other man's DNA invalid, but no the dude's not an American PYT, so obviously he must be found guilty of murder, and that's the truth.

This deserves quoting for posterity.

Mainly because the writer is completely clueless as to the facts of the case, and is so wrapped up in anti-Americanism that he's blind to any facts.

Armando Payne - Valued contributor.

 

[はるひ]

Basicly this. For once I actualy agree with you. Glad an innocent person is free.

Pretty much this. What makes it sad that someone had to pay for a crime that they never committed.

 

[Aviere]

The evidence wasn't anywhere near solid. Glad she's free.

Also, as JoshYEAH said, American hatred parading as evidentiary know-it-all is laughable. If you're going to debase America under the guise of "facts", please, do a better job of it.

 

[Malanu]

Yeah we're pretty good at debasing ourselves thank you very much.

I didn't follow the case but from what I had heard, I thought it was a open/close guilty verdict... Guess my media outlet had it wrong!

 

[Grey Wind]

You could have like, explained about the case in the OP. Or at least have given your point of or something.

I would say not guilty. There was very little evidence towards her at all. Knox even stayed behind to help the police after the murder, when any true murderer would have been on the first flight out of the place.

She served the three years she needed to, but the fourth was unnecessary. I'm glad she's gone free now.

 

[Mr. Reloaded]

I'm going to say not guilty I mean not everyone who seems to have been convicted as a criminal is one. For example amanda who actually wanted to be in italy didn't go to harm anyone she went to go to college and that's it If you think about this even with all the evidence stating that she's innocent You'll come to mind could she have pulled it off without having any of her DNA found anywhere at the crime scene because I don't think so.

 

[Jhonny]

The only debate to be had now is whether the verdict makes her more or less sexually attractive than before. I'm going for less, but at least it means I can push my questionable morals to the background.

 

[JoshYEAH]

The only debate to be had now is whether the verdict makes her more or less sexually attractive than before. I'm going for less, but at least it means I can push my questionable morals to the background.

See I don't agree with this, I think she's maintained how hot she is throughout the entire thing (prison cold sore notwithstanding).

 

[Moneyy]

If there is no evidence, then of course she's not guilty. No real debate here.

 

[Shuam]

they just wanted to put another black guy in prison.

 

[#chelloressurection]

Well, l think she is guilty, but for some reason the court didnt. I remember my dad telling me during thw whole casey anthony ordeal, that the state had over 2500 pieces of evidence against her, but the court wouldnt let them show it all, l bet there was something similar to that in this case.

 

[Phoopes]

Just a question: If she had been proven guilty, what would've been the motive?

 

[JoshYEAH]

Well, l think she is guilty, but for some reason the court didnt. I remember my dad telling me during thw whole casey anthony ordeal, that the state had over 2500 pieces of evidence against her, but the court wouldnt let them show it all, l bet there was something similar to that in this case.

You'd lose that bet.

Just a question: If she had been proven guilty, what would've been the motive?

The only correct answer is ??????????????????????????????????