If you were looking for a quick solution- there are none. If you thought the U S military would break that girl out of jail- you were wrong. If you think there is a political solution- that would be a last resort- and only if enough people raised enough hell to push the U S State Department into action. So what then does it take to free Amanda Knox?
The simple answer is her Appeal which starts this November 24th, but there are a lot of question marks surrounding that. One would figure that an innocent woman would have her conviction overturned on appeal in Italy. It is reported that one third of appeals are successful in Italy. And if you are truly innocent than why wouldn't that be a sure thing in the Amanda Knox case? The simple answer is that this case is so complex and has the endorsement of so many judges who have been involved with stating Amanda is guilty. So many twists and turns and misinformation produced by the prosecution- who wants to say "we were wrong". But isn't that what the Italian appeals court is for? To judge if the original sentencing court was in error? Short answer is- yes. However, this is not an average case. This is a very high profile case that has the attention of a great many people in many countries. It is also a high pressure case with people's reputations riding on if Amanda Knox wins her appeal or not.
But- all of this should not be a factor- ideally. The main thing Amanda's appeal has to deal with is the judge's motivation report from the original sentencing court, which gives the reasons for it's guilty verdict. Anyone who has read that report should know it is not that difficult to prove it is full of errors and speculation. It is not difficult to prove that there was little to no evidence, and certainly 'reasonable doubt' is screaming to be heard. So considering all of this- What does it take to free Amanda Knox?
The answer is an appeals court that will put justice ahead of personal gain or saving face. An appeals court that will do the right thing based on the evidence and not who's reputation is at stake. An appeals court that is able to tell the truth from speculation and willing to apply the principle of justice. Then and only then will Amanda Knox go free. And what would the world then think if that happened? I think it would show that Italy is a place where justice is the prime consideration- regardless. I think the Italian justice system would come out looking like a hero. That they are big enough to overturn a wrongful conviction. That one corrupt prosecutor does not represent or influence the Italian judicial system, and by doing the right thing gain the respect and admiration of the world. No one asks that the appeals court free a guilty person, but rather, give an innocent woman back her life.
The evidence in this case demands no less than the freedom of Amanda Knox.
Amanda's Book Due Out April 30, 2013
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Amanda Knox Case- Key Interview With the Devil's Advocate Mazinni
The following is a piece of fiction regarding one to the main characters in the Amanda Knox case. He was kind enough to spare some of his valuable time and help us get a better understanding of the behind the scenes tactics that led to the Knox conviction.
Interviewer: Mr Mazinni, thank you for being with us today.
Mazinni: No problem.
Interviewer: Besides the evidence presented at court, what was it about Amanda Knox that led you to believe she was a valid suspect in the murder case?
Mazinni: Oh there were many things. She was behaving strangely, I guess from smoking the plants. But there were other things beside. You know she do a wheel right here in the police station.
Interviewer: A wheel?
Mazinni: Si
Interviewer: Oh you mean the famous cartwheel
Mazinni: Yes
Interviewer: Well that has been explained as a yoga exercise to reduce stress.
Mazinni: Do not believe it. Many experience police here and they know a wheel when they see one.
Interviewer: Mr Mazinni, do you know what yoga is?
Mazinni: No, but that is not important. That was something that was made up to try and confuse us. It was a wheel I tell you.
Interviewer: Ok fine. Let me ask you this sir. It has been reported that a picture of Amanda Knox was placed on what is called the Wall of Shame in Rome, before she was even charged and evidence gathered.
Mazinni: Yes that is true. But I didn't put it there. You know sometimes you can not wait for all the little evidence to show up so you have to use your brain. That's why we are here. And do not forget, she do a wheel, like I told you.
Interviewer: Yes I remember.
Mazinni: I am late. I have time for only one more question.
Interviewer: Alright sir, let me ask you this- This case seems to have brought a lot of criticism from the United States directed at the legal system here in Italy and at you in particular. How do you feel about that?
Mazinni: Well you know I do not pay much attention to what the American news say. And now you have all the- how you say- blogs, where everyone is writing things. And one of the worst is this Saint Michael. I find out that is not even his real name. He made it up. All he says is lies so do not believe a word of it. He is a son of a bitch, and I gonna sue him too.
Now I must really go for certain.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time Mr Mazinni, it's been............ unbelievable.
Interviewer: Mr Mazinni, thank you for being with us today.
Mazinni: No problem.
Interviewer: Besides the evidence presented at court, what was it about Amanda Knox that led you to believe she was a valid suspect in the murder case?
Mazinni: Oh there were many things. She was behaving strangely, I guess from smoking the plants. But there were other things beside. You know she do a wheel right here in the police station.
Interviewer: A wheel?
Mazinni: Si
Interviewer: Oh you mean the famous cartwheel
Mazinni: Yes
Interviewer: Well that has been explained as a yoga exercise to reduce stress.
Mazinni: Do not believe it. Many experience police here and they know a wheel when they see one.
Interviewer: Mr Mazinni, do you know what yoga is?
Mazinni: No, but that is not important. That was something that was made up to try and confuse us. It was a wheel I tell you.
Interviewer: Ok fine. Let me ask you this sir. It has been reported that a picture of Amanda Knox was placed on what is called the Wall of Shame in Rome, before she was even charged and evidence gathered.
Mazinni: Yes that is true. But I didn't put it there. You know sometimes you can not wait for all the little evidence to show up so you have to use your brain. That's why we are here. And do not forget, she do a wheel, like I told you.
Interviewer: Yes I remember.
Mazinni: I am late. I have time for only one more question.
Interviewer: Alright sir, let me ask you this- This case seems to have brought a lot of criticism from the United States directed at the legal system here in Italy and at you in particular. How do you feel about that?
Mazinni: Well you know I do not pay much attention to what the American news say. And now you have all the- how you say- blogs, where everyone is writing things. And one of the worst is this Saint Michael. I find out that is not even his real name. He made it up. All he says is lies so do not believe a word of it. He is a son of a bitch, and I gonna sue him too.
Now I must really go for certain.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time Mr Mazinni, it's been............ unbelievable.
Friday, October 1, 2010
AMANDA KNOX: SLANDER, APPEALS, AND THE GAUNTLET OF PRESSURE
No one saw Amanda Knox this Friday morning in Perugia- no one with a camera that is. The hearing was off limits to reporters. Some saw a closed prison van pull up at a side door that was blocked by police, and others saw several vans pull into an underground entrance to the courthouse, but they didn't see Amanda.
Inside the courtroom the hearing lasted less than an hour and then she was whisked away back to Capanne prison. The reporters got a few scraps of information from the inside after the hearing, most notably from her lawyers, but there was nothing much of news except that a new date of November 8 was set for arguments to be heard- and the way she looked.
The word from inside was that she looked "drawn and pale" and looks to have gained weight. One of her lawyers, Luciano Ghirga said "She has hardened herself, she has become more unhappy and less serene". While her lawyers are trying to get her through the slander circus her appeal awaits a short distance ahead on November 24th. One or the other would be enough but the two together appears to be taking it's toll on Amanda's health. Photographs taken of her last June show her in short cropped hair and looking tense with light circles under her eyes just beginning to show. And of course the pressure continues with the slander issue continued on Nov 8th and her appeal later that month.
It must be a roller-coaster of emotions as important court dates come and go, and then continued with no certain closure in sight. She has held up well in the past under pressure but lately things seem to be wearing her down. Another of her lawyers Maria del Grosso said recently: "She is very down. I've told her to be tough. It won't help to fall apart now". Perhaps the best thing for Amanda at this point in time would be to try and stay focused on what is really important- such as her appeal on Novemeber 24. The slander case is not of prime importance compared to the appeal- but it is in fact just one more thing to set one's nerves on edge. Almost a form of harassment designed to keep the pressure on. It's like running a gauntlet where the whips are replaced with tension, fear, doubt, and loneliness; Like a bad dream where you can't wake-up.
At the same time as the Italian legal machine moves slowly along, one has to wonder as concerns Amanda, an innocent young woman, how much can she take- how much is enough?
Inside the courtroom the hearing lasted less than an hour and then she was whisked away back to Capanne prison. The reporters got a few scraps of information from the inside after the hearing, most notably from her lawyers, but there was nothing much of news except that a new date of November 8 was set for arguments to be heard- and the way she looked.
The word from inside was that she looked "drawn and pale" and looks to have gained weight. One of her lawyers, Luciano Ghirga said "She has hardened herself, she has become more unhappy and less serene". While her lawyers are trying to get her through the slander circus her appeal awaits a short distance ahead on November 24th. One or the other would be enough but the two together appears to be taking it's toll on Amanda's health. Photographs taken of her last June show her in short cropped hair and looking tense with light circles under her eyes just beginning to show. And of course the pressure continues with the slander issue continued on Nov 8th and her appeal later that month.
It must be a roller-coaster of emotions as important court dates come and go, and then continued with no certain closure in sight. She has held up well in the past under pressure but lately things seem to be wearing her down. Another of her lawyers Maria del Grosso said recently: "She is very down. I've told her to be tough. It won't help to fall apart now". Perhaps the best thing for Amanda at this point in time would be to try and stay focused on what is really important- such as her appeal on Novemeber 24. The slander case is not of prime importance compared to the appeal- but it is in fact just one more thing to set one's nerves on edge. Almost a form of harassment designed to keep the pressure on. It's like running a gauntlet where the whips are replaced with tension, fear, doubt, and loneliness; Like a bad dream where you can't wake-up.
At the same time as the Italian legal machine moves slowly along, one has to wonder as concerns Amanda, an innocent young woman, how much can she take- how much is enough?
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