October 3, 2011 - Amanda Knox addressed the court in Perugia this morning, ending her statement in almost a whisper with "Do Justice". She didn't break down but was clearly emotional, fighting back tears several times she told the court in fluent Italian: "I didn't kill. I didn't rape. I didn't steal." During her address Amanda's sister Deanna wept, as did one of Knox's lawyers Maria del Grosso. Referring to the police questioning of November 4-5 almost almost 4 years ago Knox said: "I wasn't just stressed and pressured, I was manipulated. I trusted the police blindly, and I was betrayed". She had to pause several times and take a deep breath, and appeared to be trembling sightly. Her statement lasted about ten minutes but she clearly said what was in her heart- at one point saying "I just want to go home...". Her fellow defendant Raffaele Sollecito spoke just before Knox, addressing the court for about 15 minutes. At the end of his statement Raffaele took off a bracelet that had the words Free Amanda and Raffaele. He said he wanted to honor the court because he had never taken it off since it was given to him, but now hoped he wouldn't need it anymore. It was to show his trust in the court.
The jury retired to come to a verdict on this case. The judge has said that there would not be a verdict before 8pm local time (Italy) corresponding to 7pm in the UK, 2pm eastern time U S and 11am in Seattle. What that verdict will be no one knows yet, but I can not imagine anything except Amanda and Raffaele being freed today- No other verdict makes sense. The only other possible verdict- in case of some sort of deadlock in the jury room, would be convicting them of a lesser charge and freeing them with time served. A guilty verdict in my opinion is incomprehensible. That would be a tragedy.
Personally, I am wreck as I wait for the verdict wired on coffee. I have put on the forum videos of the Beatles in honor of Amanda's love for the song Let It Be. Strangely, the song seems to fit this occasion where the world is divided as to her guilt or innocence, and waiting for this jury to give an answer as to the verdict. If you do not know the song:
"And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Or just listen to the video by clicking on the first box with Paul McCartney. It will give you something to do as you bite your nails and wait for the verdict.
I don't think my opinion of an innocent verdict is off the mark. Even the priest at Capanne prison thinks Amanda is innocent. He had said today that he will see Amanda when she comes back to the prison today to wait for the jury's verdict. He said he hopes that is the last time he will see her, and she gets to go home. I bet you he is praying for her right now.
4 comments:
The verdict has just been rendered. I think it is a fair one. As I have written previously in a comment, one may doubt Knox's statements to the police if one wishes, but that may at most convict her of perjury, not murder. The judge has seen to that, and I am happy for everybody that logic, rule of law, and a kind of justice derived from those, prevailed.
Congratulations to Amanda and Raffaele and thank you Judge Hellmann.
Yes they are free at last. It is just wonderful that they finally received justice. Thank you for commenting.
i dont get the slander verdict
was that so the court could save face?
now amanda will never be able to return to italy, for fear of the civil penalty
I am not sure of the judge's motivation on that but I do believe Amanda has seen enough of Italy in any case.
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