Italy has redeemed itself. Logic has overruled speculation, and a 21st century witch-hunt has come to an end with the release of Judge Hellmann's report explaining the reasons for the acquittal of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.
A 143 page report was released yesterday which clearly defends the verdict of the Italian Appeals Court which overturned the conviction of Amanda Knox. To anyone who has done the research on this case there were really no surprises- simply common sense replacing speculation and outright fiction (as in the case of the lower court's original guilty verdict).
The major points of the report supporting Hellmann's not guilty verdict are:
No logical motive.
DNA evidence condemned by court appointed experts
Lower court did not prove Knox was at the scene of crime.
Faulty time of death used by lower court (Hellmann moves the time of death back an hour).
Amanda Knox behavior dismissed as not a sign of guilt as people behave differently under stress.
Hellmann disputes Knox and Sollecito involvement with Guede as improbable. No evidence of communication with Guede exists (no e-mails, no phone calls or text messages).
Hellmann condemns police questioning as causing great psychological stress leading to falsely accusing Lumumba. Hellmann states that Knox told the police what she thought they wanted to hear out police induced psychological stress. In fact, Hellmann says, that to use the word 'stress' would be understating the event.
Witnesses produced by the prosecution were unreliable.
These are most of the main points of Hellmann's report. There is of course much more to the report than I have stated, but the above address most of the important issues as regards the not guilty verdict.
At this point in time, some may be wondering about the prosecution appealing the verdict. My thinking is- good luck with that. An appeal will not change the facts. The prosecution would still need to find fault with the Hellmann report in a rational manner in order to gain an appeal- in other words they would have to dispute common sense with nothing more than foolish speculation. And even if the prosecution managed to pull off another trial, you can take it to the bank that Amanda Knox will not be present. The United States will never extradite Knox to Italy and the prosecution knows it. It would all be just a foolish waste of time. The 'Foxy Knoxy' circus is worn out; the witch-hunt is over.
5 comments:
This was a victory for common sense - and is the most true justice for Meredith Kercher imaginable. I've never understood why Knox and Sollectio had to be convicted with no evidence supporting it, so as to mete out justice to Mez and her family? Never understood it.
Bill W. Williams
Your not alone Bill in not understanding the one time guilty verdict. Personally I think it was a matter of a corrupt prosecution and a compliant judge and jury. Fortunately the appeals court did not buy any of the nonsense that was put forth by the prosecution- I think judge Hellmann knew from the beginning that the first trial was farce and had the courage to do the right thing.
I'm saddened but the ordeal it is non finished, because prosecution have appealed the not guilty verdict, to the high court, called Corte di Cassazione.
http://www.lanazione.it/umbria/cronaca/2012/02/14/667967-omicidio_meredith.shtml
The new trial will be set this year and will be based only on technical grounds. The defendants are not requested to be present.
Tha high court can upheald the absolution verdict or overturn it and in this case, a new appeal trial will be set in 2013-2014.
It is unlikley the US Gov. will extradate Amanda in Italy in case of a new guilty verdict, so for her the ordale may be finished, but it is not the same for Raffale, who is also innocent, and who is still under jeopardy.
I personally think Raffaele should take a long vacation out of Italy in case there is a new trial just to be on the safe side. Hopefully the prosecution appeal will fail.
I've just read that the not guilty verdict was overturned.
As an Italian I fill a shame that our country has such a barbaric institution like double jeopardy.
I know extradition treaty between US and EU countries has a comma that barred the extradition of an American citizen in case of double jeopary. So Amanda can stay sure in US even if, in the worst case, she will never leave her country.
But Raffaele, who I retain innocent, now is facing a life sentence.
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