In 2007, American student Amanda Knox was accused of murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, while the two participated in a college study abroad program in Perugia, Italy.
I didn't know all the details of the crime, but I heard that while Knox and her Italian boyfriend of one week, Raffaele Sollecito, waited outside as the police examined the house that she displayed strange and inappropriate behavior. The police said Knox laughed, talked, jumped around, kissed Sollecito . . . Who acts that way when a roommate's corpse lies nearby?
Some kind of sexual activity was supposed to be part of the murder, too, and allegedly Sollecito joined Knox in a sex "game" that resulted in Kercher's death.
Knox and Sollecito were arrested, tried, and convicted in 2009, with twenty-two- year-old Knox sentenced to twenty-six years, while Sollecito received twenty-five years.
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| Amanda Knox on trial. |
I didn't hear about Knox again until several years passed. She had been released, but accusations lingered. I didn't understand the case.
I learned much more when I watched the documentary Amanda Knox (2016) on Netflix Streaming.
The documentary features Knox herself talking about the case, backed up by evidence used to exonerate her. And all that talk about her being a she-devil? It came from the police and was blown up by tabloid reporters who learned that Knox's Facebook name was "Foxy Knoxy"––which they didn't hesitate to use. Later they called her "Knoxy."
I also learned about alleged abuse by the Italian police. The laboratory that tested items for DNA mishandled them. The list goes on and on. Sollecito and Amanda Knox were acquitted by Italy's highest court, but not until prison time and media accusations––she feels, and understandably so––destroyed her life.
And Foxy Knoxy? It's a name she probably used in jest. Knox is attractive, but at least in this film, not charismatic. Even after a murder conviction and prison time, she seems young and naive.
Now what about you? Do you remember this case? Did you think Amanda Knox was guilty?
If you want to learn more about Amanda Knox and her unfortunate run-in with the Italian Police, Amanda Knox is an excellent documentary, but we mustn't forget Meredith Kercher. Her family has suffered. They lost a family member. Later, they lost what they believed to be justice because they remain certain that Knox is the murderer.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I remember when this happened.
ReplyDeleteAt first I wondered about the Italian Police and how they handled the case. They presumed her guilty. and planted evidence I think. There was something about the knife and it was left there for days and everyone touched it.
The trial took place in the tabloids and I thought they named her named her Angel Face or something like that.
But after she was acquittedI just wondered how could she have been so naive. If you study or live in a different country do not expect to have the same rights you have in America.
Here in Tucson we always tell all the kids from the east coast who go to University here and then travel to Mexico to drink by drugs and party YOU ARE GUILTY no matter what, you do you are guilty. And have lots of money to bribe the police. Courts and police are not like here in America. Either are the lawyers. And the jails are horrific. Not at all PC.
I really wish I knew what happened to Meredith I feel so sad for her family but it could have been anyone. The Italian police screwed up big time, that is all I know.
cheers, parsnip
She was extremely naive. Her own stepfather said that she was well read but "dumb as a rock" when it came to street smarts. Her parents talked to her about what she would do in an emergency, but it never occurred to them that she'd be accused of murder.
DeleteHi Janie. I was visiting Italy not far from where this happened. I was too shocked! I've always thought she was guilty and only got off because of her rich parents (that happens too often). The reporting at the time certainly painted a bleak picture of these two...yes, by the police reports. Hmm. Now I must do some further research...Thanks for the post. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe police bungled the investigation from the beginning. I think what you learn will surprise you.
DeleteI remember that being one of those stories that I just wanted them to solve, but recall the initial resolution not seeming air tight.
ReplyDeleteNot airtight at all, but the two were in prison from the day they were arrested until they were finally acquitted after the appeals process.
DeleteMy Rare One luuuuuvs true crime stories. She is totally into the Amanda Knox story and passionately believes her to be innocent. It does seem that the Italian police totally botched and/or fabricated much of the evidence in the case.
ReplyDeleteYour Rare One and I would get along well. The police who arrived at first allowed the crime scene to be contaminated and lied about Knox's behavior.
DeleteI do remember it. What a mess. I have no idea whether or not Amanda Knox is guilty; regardless, whoever killed Meredith Kercher is not being punished for the crime.
ReplyDeleteThe killer was probably a small-time criminal who has gotten away with it.
DeleteI remember the case and thought they were clearly guilty - the way the media portrayed it. I'm glad, given what you've written, she's been acquitted. Seems all "justice systems" aren't.
ReplyDeleteLove.
Look at the messed up justice system we have in the U.S. Is any system just? It does seem as if some countries, such as those in Scandinavia, try harder than others to discover the truth and rehabilitate the people who are actually guilty to help them return to society after they serve their time.
DeleteIt makes you wonder how many cases are rightly judged, and how many innocent people go to jail--and yes--have the rest of their lives ruined. I can't even imagine that horror.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I've been opposed to the death penalty for a long time. When The Innocence Project started overturning guilty verdicts based on DNA evidence, my belief became even stronger. If even one innocent person is sent to the execution chamber, that's too many. They've also gotten people released after they served many years in prison.
DeleteI believed from the beginning she was innocent. I heard how the police and media handled the event. The police and investigators did not even try to simulate normalcy as they were all about being the media darlings to further their positions in life.
ReplyDeleteSo, she did strange things? Those do not equate to guilt.
parsimony
The police said she behaved strangely because she kissed her boyfriend while they searched the house. In the footage of her that I saw, she looked sad and he appeared to comfort her with some fairly chaste pecks on the lips.
DeleteI watched this and was appalled at that lead prosecutor and how he talked about her--imagining scenarios without any proof whatsoever--and blatantly basked in his fame. The only thing they had pictures of washer clinging to her boyfriend and they kissed. Amanda is a weird (kind of dumb as a rock) girl--but that doesn't make her a murderer. Sheltered rich girl who was probably skating her way through college. Passionately in lust with the new boyfriend (who adored her)--why wouldn't she have spent the night at his place? New love--couldn't keep their hands off each other--LOL! And the police never really investigated anyone else--and there was that nasty guy (who probably did it). Was interesting to get more information and see the actual footage of the authorities in action, etc. If she did do it--they botched up the entire investigation. Do I think she did it? I sincerely doubt it. She still comes across as weird and naive and not the brightest bulb, shall we say. The Italian boyfriend was pretty dim, too, and almost sweetly inexperienced. They were both badgered into bizarre confessions they never seemed to grasp. I can not picture the two of them in violet sex games, to be honest. Was glad I watched this. I remember hearing bits and pieces on the news.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you watched it, too. You summed it up perfectly. I also read that she used her time in prison to study a number of languages and read extensively.
DeleteI do remember this case, and I don't think she's guilty. Besides, someone is still in prison for admitting to this crime, and I just don't see that she had any motive to kill. Her background also doesn't suggest a wild out-of-control individual.
ReplyDeleteOnly wildly in love, or in lust, as Rita said.
DeleteThe whole affair lacked credibility. I think my daughters or yours would have been convicted by the inept system. And yes, I think it could have happened in this country, too.
ReplyDeleteIt could definitely happen here, and it could happen to our family members. Look at all the botched investigations in the U.S. The police are so quick to accuse a family member or someone else close to the victim. And for coerced confessions, what can beat the Central Park Five?
DeleteI remember the name and the case, can't remember is I thought she was guilty or not but wouldn't be surprised if she was
ReplyDeleteShe and the young man were acquitted following a lengthy appeals process.
DeleteYou know...I just don't know enough about this case to state an opinion. The little I know I would say she is not. Bright bulb but that doesn't make her a murderer. It sounds like the was quite a bit of screw up done on the Italian police. I don't have Netflix but I hope to see it one day.
ReplyDeleteThe documentary is available on DVD.
DeleteIt's hard to tell what the truth is. I feel the problem is the media. They are pushing so hard for ratings that they sensationalize everything to the point the truth is barely there.
ReplyDeleteIt turns out that Foxy Knoxy is a nickname the other players gave her when she was eleven and on a soccer team. It reminded me of Michael Jackson being called Jacko and Sicko by the tabloids. Tabloids scoop up anything to sell their crap "newspapers."
DeleteI do remember this. Also remember wondering how much the fact that she was a foreigner played into it.
ReplyDeleteIt played into it in many ways, including her rudimentary Italian (she became a proficient speaker in prison), and her lack of understanding of the Italian police and justice systems.
DeleteKnox reminds meofthat Australian lady in the dingo baby case
ReplyDeleteUnsympathetic and cool, she is instantly unlikable
But unlikable doesntt always means a killer
We don't want the accused to be calm.
DeleteI love to follow these types of cases and followed hers from the start. I always thought she was innocent given the evidence being so minimal but the way she handled herself was so bizarre it was easy for the case to go sideways. I do think that the Italian justice system mishandled a number of things related to the case, as well.
ReplyDeleteInitially, at the time of the murder, Amanda seemed so detached and unaffected by the killing of her roommate, it made her appear as uncaring. Even on the documentary she often came across as aloof.
I think that young Americans that get into trouble in foreign countries are at an immediate disadvantage. They don't know the legal system, there is a perception that they are spoiled and deem themselves entitled, and they don't often speak or behave appropriately for the situation.
For example: The American boy that tore down the propaganda banner in N. Korea and received a 15 years of hard labor sentence. In this country that seems outrageous. Just think what would have happened had he been accused of murder.
She does seem aloof, but maybe it's shyness. One of the reasons she did the study abroad program was to broaden her horizons. When the police arrived and went into the apartment with Knox and some of the other inhabitants, thus contaminating the crime scene, one of the men broke down the door to Kercher's bedroom. When they saw the blood and Kercher's foot sticking out of the comforter wrapped around her, the women fled, screaming. Of course, we didn't see the emotion of that moment. Knox looked sad while she was waiting outside, but in all fairness, Kercher was a virtual stranger to her, which probably led to the lack of emotion she showed most of the time. Knox might have been in shock when she was arrested and charged.
DeleteI remember this case, and was shocked when she went to jail. It just didn't seem plausible to me that she was guilty. It didn't add up. I was glad when she was freed and sent back home, but it seems to me that I read somewhere a few months ago that Italy wants her to come back and be re-tried. I have a feeling she'll be staying where she is.
ReplyDeleteI just watched that documentary on Netflix last week. BEFORE the movie, I always thought she was guilty. Seemed the only access to what really happened, was through the media. Obvioulsy. it was tainted. AFTER seeing the documentary, I feel the police botched it up. And that rag journalist as well as others, saw the potential for a "good story" and didn't bother to really investigate further. It's all about the selling of tabloid news. Sad really for her and her family.
ReplyDeleteThen again...I could be wrong and bottomline, only God knows what REALLY happened.
I always thought she was guilty - but the case was handled appallingly. Innocent little sweetheart or not, it didn't stop her from accusing Patrick Lumumba of being the killer. He was an innocent bar owner who was arrested but totally exonerated afterwards. It didn't stop him from losing his business though.
ReplyDeleteSorry, should have attached this link. Anna
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/28/amanda-knox-free-rich-american-patrick-lumumba-meredith-kercher-murder