Amanda's Book Due Out April 30, 2013

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Amanda Knox Appeal: Heroes And Villains Of the Amanda Knox Case

October 23, 2011 - Despite the fact that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were freed of this nightmare as of October 3, 2011,  it really is not over - not if one wants to balance the accounts in this ridiculous case. And that is exactly what people are saying on numerous sites- How can Italy get away with this injustice of sending innocent people to prison for 4 years? And who is to pay for it? All good questions. And there are answers.

Yet just as there are villains in this case there are also heroes. It was a very frustrating ordeal for many people and most could do nothing about it. Personally, I have always secretly delighted in sending in the 82nd Airborne division, just in case Italy failed to redeem itself- but of course that would have been politically incorrect right? Well that was never really a practical consideration, however it does appeal to one's Rambo instincts in the face of injustice. Some people would say that was a typical American mentality, but then again, Americans by nature have always fought against injustice. Like Teddy Roosevelt once said "Speak softly, but carry a big stick". Yet with the Amanda Knox case going on in Italy I think most Americans felt rather helpless and simply 'hoped' it would all work out for the sake of justice. And it did. But who was responsible for that? Who were the heroes that brought, or at least helped this case to justice at last.

One of the first people to raise hell about this case- even before it was widely considered to be the right thing to do- Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell was up in arms the very day of Amanda Knox's conviction in December 2009. Although people were trying to shout her down, she took it all the way to the secretary of state Hillary Clinton's office. What happened after that is all hush, hush. What happened at the state dept level is not common knowledge- but the important thing to remember is that Maria was RIGHT. She took what was once a 'politically incorrect' situation and went for the gusto, because it was the right thing to do. A citizen of her state was found guilty in a trial she paid close attention to and she believed Amanda was being railroaded and she defended the principle. Although I generally despise politicians- Maria Cantwell is a hero in this case. The people of the state of Washington should be thankful to have her. And no she is not my sister. She just plain kicks ass when it's the right thing to do- all politics aside.

There are other heroes of course- too many to mention, but Maria stands out because it was so- not career orientated. So human and so noble. And of course judge H. from Seattle- Well I don't want to say your full name or maybe you'll get in trouble again for defending Amanda. Just kidding- the name of this gentleman is Judge Michael Heavey- God bless you. This is another person who put all thoughts aside as to the reaction and did the right thing. One other person who needs to be mentioned is of course Judge Hellman and with him the Italian jury who freed Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. I knew he would do the right thing and I have said this for the last year. Why? Because he is a good and just man and did not play into the "she is guilty because the prosecution says she is" lie. He is a hero for the Italian justice system, and it is to his credit that he did not submit to the prosecution's fairy-tale with absolutely no evidence to back them up. And the world has seen this man do justice to this case, and he will always be remembered for that.

Ah and now for the villains. We all know who they are. Problem is, what to do with them. Well I think we would know if they were under US law, but unfortunately they are all in Italy- the land of very slow justice. Quick to detain and slow to release- Italy. I think prosecutor Comodi can be forgiven as she was not in charge- although she was way out of line. Rather it is the prosecutor Mignini who should be brought low for his ridiculous case against Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. I can not imagine what goes through this man's mind. What did he think he was doing? I find it hard to believe the man is simply clueless in this case- I think he knew very well what he was doing and that was just business as usual. That may be business in Italy, but in the rest of the world it is called malicious prosecution. If you don't mind me saying so sir- You need to go to jail. And when you are there you need to remember what you did to two innocent young people to try and ruin their lives. I think you know better. I don't think for a minute you thought you were doing the right thing. I think you are way past that now, and only think about putting your fantasies into action regardless of the cost to other people's lives. People say you are a good Catholic and go to church- So do a lot of 'Sunday Catholics'. I too am a Catholic, but unlike you I remember the teachings of the Church in regards to sin and one of the first things you learn is this "If you know the right thing to do, and do not do it- you sin". I think you knew these two defendants were innocent and you tried to ruin their lives to save your shady career. Fortunately, your lies did not last and they were released. Pissed you off didn't it? Well get use to it because I think a lot worse is coming. Now Amanda would never say things like this to you- she is too sweet and passive. I on the other hand have no such scruples. You had better pray there is not an investigation coming your way, because if there is, you can count on picking olives in some remote little field where no one will ever hear from you again.

And as far as this case is concerned- that will be justice.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Amanda Knox Appeal: It's Over But A Few Loose Ends to Tie Off, Guede, Lumumba, Extradition, & Anti Knox Sites

October 13, 2011 - It's over now of course. The appeal is done and Amanda and Raffaele have won their freedom. But as I suspected, people opposed to Amanda Knox did not go away. Certain people (well we will just call them that for the time being) can not give it up, and continue with their hate war. Since the Italian appeals court has declared them innocent of this crime there has been a major dip in the attention spent on this case- and that is a good thing. It allows Amanda and Raffaele to go back to their lives and with a fresh start. Seems that other people do not want that to happen. But I can tell you (and you must know by now) that the majority of people no longer care about this case. The hits on major sites are way down now since the overturning of the conviction. But what pisses me off is that certain people who can not accept the verdict of innocent in the appeals trial keep trying to paint Amanda guilty. And it is not just certain sites but the news media at certain places in the UK and certain journalists to try and salvage their careers- since it is clear now that they were dead wrong in this case. Such is the price to pay of playing favorites- such as Mignini- in the absence of truth. Bad journalism period.

Yet there are certain loose ends to this case. Things that seem to go on needlessly. Which I think is simply a matter of ignorance of the facts. And that is the real purpose of this post. I will address all of them.

First you have the poor victim of Lumumba- Who calls himself the second victim. I see his face all over the news now. He was the one who did 2 weeks in jail as a result of what the police say is Amanda accusing him of the murder. Amanda didn't want him arrested for a murder he did not commit- it was the Italian police who were insisting on that- she simply complied under extreme pressure and abuse. So for Patrick Diya Lumumba's 2 weeks in prison for falsely being accused, Amanda Knox was sentenced (at the the Oct 3 2011 appeals verdict) to 3 years in prison. Yes that is correct- she got 3 years for his 2 weeks. That would seem more than enough punishment for going along with the Italian police hmm? No. Lumumba wants more money. That is what it is all about now days- Although he has already made money off this case he wants even more - oh yes, and his lawyer also- The one who went up against Knox in court like that prosecution were passive witnesses- The man Pacelli was calling her every name in the book- way out of line- All for the sake of a civil lawsuit for money. You see? When money is involved even justice has to take a back seat. With all the name calling by himself and his lawyer, and trying to keep Amanda in prison for life- he wonders why she did not say to him I'm sorry (again). What a mentality. Enough of Lumumba and his 2 weeks in jail- He has never had this much attention and money in his life at the expense of Amanda Knox. With Lumumba it is greed in it's lowest form. Yet, of course, he still calls himself the second victim- with his hand now constantly in the cookie jar, wringing it for every dollar he can get. Pathetic.

Then there is another loose end to this case and one the hate sites think is a good thing. Rudy Guede- you remember him- Like Mignini had said in court "Oh yes, blame it all on the poor black guy". This particular hate site says, and it may happen- that Rudy Guede may ask for a retrial since Amanda and Raffael were freed. I say by all means give him one. And this time make the sentence equal the crime- and give him life in prison which is what he deserves, not a lowly 16 years. Anyone this off the wall and brutal who murdered Meredith Kercher deserves to get a new sentence- the max. I hope he does get a retrial, I pray that he gets a retrial, and never gets out of prison to harm anyone else ever again. Geez- is Mignini up for this- or would this be considered a conflict of interest? Actually, I think a new prosecutor should try Guede and give him the sentence he deserves. I hate this man and I don't mind saying it. Yes, Please, a retrial. And let's see if he gets out of this one with his fifthy hands in Meredith Kercher's blood and his prints and DNA all over the room. Time for certain people in Italy to redeem themselves.

Then the other loose end is what the UK tabloids are spouting about, and this is that the Kercher family is set to sue Amanda Knox. Really? For what? She was found innocent of this crime as of October 3, 2011. This is not the OJ case. In this case there is nothing. No motive and no DNA and since there is a international base on this where would the trial take place? In Italy? No. Now who would be behind that- Maresca? Is he still the lawyer now that he has lost his gravy-train? Now in reality- the Kercher's could sue anyone. Yet it does not mean they would win. And in all probability they would not win as there is nothing against Amanda Knox and she is no longer an 'easy kill' for those with a strange sense of justice. Things change. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. Amanda Knox is no longer the scapegoat in this absurd case.

This was not one of the points intended but it has been on the net. I need to correct the lies that have been floating about this- Judge Hellmann did not say he thought Amanda guilty- That is a false statement by people who are out of cards to play. What he said was: That she could still be guilty though there was no proof/ evidence to support that thus the jury found her innocent of the crime. He was saying he doesn't really know and went with the absence of evidence. He never said he thought she was guilty.

The last loose end to tie up is that - and the Amanda hate sites are really holding out for this- That Amanda will have to go back to Italy if the Supreme court in Italy finds her guilty if Mignini and company wins an appeal to a higher court. Well they did promise to appeal to a higher court. Let me make this clear- This is pissing against the wind. Even as Judge Hellmann said, it is very doubtful if the United States would extradite Amanda to Italy if she was found guilty by the Supreme Court of Italy based on the prosecution's appeal- even if that were to take place. To these hate sites I say- Wake up for Christ sake- the United States is not going to give an American girl up to a bullshit case based on nothing to Italy for a case that in the U S is considered illegal- meaning - in the U S, you can not be tried for the same offense twice- it is called Double Jeopardy. Italy does not of course have this law but it holds in the US. So what I am saying is- there is no chance that the U S would give up Aamanda Knox to extradition to Italy in case her innocent verdict is overturned by the Italian supreme court. It will never happen. She is free now- live with it.

I would say to all those people out there who want to dwell on this case- forget it. That time is past now. Amanda Knox never hurt anyone. Just leave her alone to get on with her life. It is not so much a matter of compassion as it is of common decency. I think for all she has been through, it is a matter of respect- give it to her- I think she has earned that much.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Amanda Knox Appeal: Not Guilty, Convictions Overturned - Amanda and Raffaele Are Free

October 3, 2011- Oh My God, what a day. When Amanda was brought into the courtroom to hear the verdict she looked like she was going to topple over, and then there was nothing but silence waiting for the judge to announce the verdict. Everyone was tense and on edge, particularly Amanda. When the judge gave the verdict Amanda burst into tears and almost collapsed. The guards rushed her out of the room. Amanda's father hugged the lawyer nearest him. The courtroom was cheering (with some boos). And when the prosecutor came out of the courthouse the crowd jeered. And I am all wore out.

Amanda and Raffaele were immediately freed. They were brought back to prison only to sign documents and collect their belongings. Then they will leave the 'house of many doors' forever. It was a dramatic fairy-tale ending to a horrific story. Amanda's sister Deanna gave a short statement outside the courthouse thanking everyone for their support and asked that now the family would like some privacy to wind down. A lot of people were very happy in Perugia tonight but of course not everyone. Hopefully in time, some people will realize that it was not the guilty who were freed, but the innocent.

I am so happy and relieved that everything worked out ok for Amanda and Raffaele, as are a great many people. They got their lives back. I think Amanda's reaction to the innocent verdict was a product of relief. She looked extremely pale and tense just before the judge read the verdict. Right now I bet she is all smiles. She will be leaving Capanne shortly where the prison priest will see her for the last time. As he had said earlier today, he hoped that today would be the last he would see of her and that she would be free to go home. He said he knew she was innocent. His prayers were answered.

Amanda Knox Appeal: Amanda Says To Court: Do Justice. Jury Retires to Decide Verdict

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.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Amanda Knox Appeal: Overwhelming Support For Knox Is Not The Result Of So-Called P R Machine

October 1, 2011- There has been a lot of talk lately about the so-called Knox P R Machine. Just the name anti-Knox factions give it is kind of ridiculous because it is not a 'machine' of any kind, and has not had much of an impact on public opinion. The misleading term P R Machine gives one the false impression that this 'machine' runs the media, and therefore controls public opinion in favor of Amanda Knox- this is of course complete foolishness. In reality, no one controls the media and the media is not run by any one 'machine'. This term was coined by anti-Knox factions to make it appear that the recent overwhelming support of Amanda's innocence is the product of some kind of 'brainwashing' of the public by the media and pro-Knox sites. Even prosecutor Mignini (a well known fibber) was using this line to try and get the jury to think that favorable news about Amanda was not real, but the product of some 'p r machine' backed by millions of dollars. This is complete............ horse-feathers.

The major news networks are not controlled by outside forces. And the major so-called pro-Knox sites are not part of any machine and is not being paid by the Knox family. All of the major pro-Knox sites are simply private ventures of people who believe in Amanda's innocence and wanted to do something about the injustice of her conviction. Frank's site Perugia Shock, Injustice in Perugia run by Bruce Fisher, Candace Dempsey's blog on Knox, and this site Amanda Knox Appeal Forum, are not part of any 'machine, and no one is getting paid to post in favor of Amanda Knox. In part the above sites were created to counter the misinformation and outright lies that had been spread by certain groups hostile toward Knox and her family. And each one is independent of one another- the only thing we have in common is the belief that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are innocent and have been unjustly convicted. That's it, no cash, no machine- just the desire to tell the truth about this case.

Now just recently Barbie Latza Nadeau has written a piece talking about this 'p r machine' and mentioned a 'blacklist' of reporters by the Knox family. She says in referring to the Knox family that they "...won't talk to anyone who does not tow the party line." What she does not say is that this so-called 'party line' is that certain journalists are hostile to Knox and are unbalanced in their reporting of this case. First off, they are entitled to talk to whom they please and why would they want to talk to reporters who have written some pretty nasty and misleading things about their daughter. Barbie did not mention if she herself was on this 'blacklist', but considering some of the things she has written about Knox, I've got a pretty good idea- as do many others.

The simple truth is, that people's reality of this case has changed since Amanda and Raffaele's convictions two years ago. Over time, the truth has come out. People are now aware that some of the things that were taken as the truth in fact have turned out to be lies and speculation. That the prosecution's case - once thought by some to be solid- is in fact a house of cards with no evidence that proves guilt. Thus a great many people have come to realize that this case is one of injustice. It was not the result of some 'p r machine', it was the result of people finally learning the facts, and coming to realize that the prosecution had hoodwinked them. That in fact there is no hard evidence against the accused, yet they have spent the last four years in prison. Now that the truth has emerged, there are a lot of ticked-off people out there, and they want this injustice corrected. Hopefully, a few days from now- it will be.

Note

This forum is not endorsed by Amanda Knox nor her family or legal council. It is an independent venture for the purpose of an open public forum on Amanda's pending appeal in Italy. It is for educational purposes only.
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