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News & ArtsTuesday, October 20, 2009
Crime Makes Me Happy
Posted by Charles Mudede on Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Just as I was about to completely lose interest in the sempiternal case of Amanda Knox, I came across this detail:
But what is truly amazing about this tattoo is its absence from the stream of news reports that began to flow into the English-speaking world two years ago—the murder of Meredith Kercher happened in Perugia on November 2, 2007. This sun, this descendant of spectacular stars that exploded and spread the heavy stuff of their guts into deep space—this of all things is on the top of her back. (Yes, just what I was thinking...if only it were a black spider.)
As for her being lynched by the Italian public, as a crazed lawyer recently stated on Larry King Live: if this is the case, if the evidence against Amanda is so weak, why doesn't Meredith Kercher's parents side with the Knoxes? Really, it's as simple as that. If Rudy Guede is without a doubt the only killer, why can't the Kerchers see this as clearly as the Knoxes? Are the Kerchers just blind? Plain/playing dumb? Downright criminal—they want to keep a harmless Bambi in prison? When I see the Kerchers defending Amanda, and not some nutty lawyer who basically calls the Italians a bunch of baboons, I will be convinced of Amanda's innocence.
EDITOR'S NOTE: On October 3, 2011, Amanda Knox was acquitted of the murder of Meredith Kercher and released from prison.
4
I really dont understand why everyone gives Charles a hard time.
I love your posts, may they be few and far between, but when they do arise I think they're brilliant.
I love your posts, may they be few and far between, but when they do arise I think they're brilliant.
5
Charles is lascivious toward Amanda. There's no evidence and he's never explained any. He is obsessed. He focuses on her face and her body.
Creepy stalker, posing as internet commentary.
Creepy stalker, posing as internet commentary.
6
the pasta course at umbria's prisons is atrocious. she is suffering. prisoners get no secondi or anti pasti. italians are monsters! you can see her wasting away. she could be a fat content northwestern mid 20 year old by now.
8
@5 most reporters and journalists get very involved with their subjects. I really dont see how Charles is any different. He writes for a liberal free news source, which allows him to expand on it a little more than most. Seriously- big deal.
9
Ooh I learned a new word today! Charles, please see if you can fit 'concupiscence' or 'etiology' in your next SLOG post: this is better than Reader's Digest's "It Pays to Enrich Your Word Power."
10
that is a sunFLOWER. and not a particularly good one. she probably got it on the Ave when she was 18.
11
"what is truly amazing about this tattoo is its absence from the stream of news reports"
Maybe it's a new prison tat.
Maybe it's a new prison tat.
12
@8 - The difference is that Charles isn't a reporter and isn't a journalist, at least not on this topic.
Charles never discusses the evidence, never talks about the facts of the case, and never discusses the judicial proceedings (look at all his Slog postings about the case). During this case, Charles starts from the assumption that the "hawt chick" did it, and then proceeds to mentally masturbate over tangential ideas that he tries to string back around to confirm his initial assumption. Most of these ideas relate to the fact that she's a "hawt chick."
Charles never discusses the evidence, never talks about the facts of the case, and never discusses the judicial proceedings (look at all his Slog postings about the case). During this case, Charles starts from the assumption that the "hawt chick" did it, and then proceeds to mentally masturbate over tangential ideas that he tries to string back around to confirm his initial assumption. Most of these ideas relate to the fact that she's a "hawt chick."
13
@11: I just had a mental image of a prison tattoo guy: "alright, I can give you the swastika or the sunflower, those are the only two I know how to do."
14
More on-topic, perhaps the Kerchers' judgment is clouded due to the fact that their daughter was killed. Emotions override judgment and logic all the time, especially when a loss is as huge as theirs was.
16
That's a brilliant new legal theory. Let the victim's family decide who the criminal is. Because they don't have any emotional investment clouding their judgment.
That should go over especially well in the 1920s American South.
That should go over especially well in the 1920s American South.
17
A prison tattoo? Cool. Maybe she should get "love" and "hate" tattooed across her knuckles too. And a teardrop - she definitely needs a teardrop.
18
The main problem in murder cases is that the victim's family always thinks a guilty plea will somehow make it better.
But ... it really doesn't.
But ... it really doesn't.
20
"We not only see a reference to John Denver but also to Black Star: "[K]eep it blacker than the back of your neck." The sun which makes people black (or black people) is on the back of her neck. "Black [people] star keep shining."
So the self-hating black man typically sees racism in anything, including, as it turns out, a sunflower tattoo on a "hawt chick". Yeah, she's totally racist. Charles, you're insane. Please stop, I'm not even black and I'm offended.
Innocent until PROVEN guilty. If you're ever in a similar predicament, you're going to wish the jury doesn't pre-judge you. Of course you'll attribute it to your skin color, as you always do. Why do you hate your skin so much?
So the self-hating black man typically sees racism in anything, including, as it turns out, a sunflower tattoo on a "hawt chick". Yeah, she's totally racist. Charles, you're insane. Please stop, I'm not even black and I'm offended.
Innocent until PROVEN guilty. If you're ever in a similar predicament, you're going to wish the jury doesn't pre-judge you. Of course you'll attribute it to your skin color, as you always do. Why do you hate your skin so much?
21
The prosecutor has an established history of blaming crimes on imaginary satanic sex cults and bullying false information from suspects. Somehow, these facts have escaped Charles' attention.
The prosecutor is a whacko, and has ruined the life of an innocent young girl. It's outrageous.
And Charles, you are a navel-gazing narcissist who can't see the world past his own pseudo-intellect.
The prosecutor is a whacko, and has ruined the life of an innocent young girl. It's outrageous.
And Charles, you are a navel-gazing narcissist who can't see the world past his own pseudo-intellect.
22
Amanda Knox will be convicted of murdering Meredith Kercher on the strength of the evidence. The Italian legal system is very fair and cautious. Numerous judges, including judges at the Italian Supreme Court, have examined the evidence carefully and decided that there are serious indications of Amanda Knox's and Raffaele Sollecito's guilt.
Amanda Knox's DNA was on the handle of the double DNA knife and Meredith's DNA was on the blade. Amanda Knox's footprints were set in Meredith's blood in the hallway and in Meredith's room. There were five mixed samples of Amanda Knox's blood or DNA with Meredith's blood in three different locations in the cottage, including Filomena's room, where the break-in was staged.
Incidentally, Raffaele Sollecito's forensic expert, Professor Vinci, claimed that he had found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra. Apparently, Vincenzo Pascali, Sollecito's chief forensic consultant, also found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra.
Raffaele Sollecito left a bloody footprint on the blue bathmat in the bathroom and he left another in the hallway. An abundant amount of Sollecito's DNA was found on Meredith's bra clasp. Meredith's bra was removed some time after she had been killed and Rudy Guede had fled the scene.
Amanda Knox admitted on several occasions that she was at the cottage on the evening of 1 November and she voluntarily admitted that she was involved in Meredith's murder in her handwritten note to the police on 6 November. This confession has been admitted as evidence by Judge Massei.
Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito have both given multiple alibis and lied repeatedly. They still don't have credible alibis for the night of the murder despite three attempts each. They have no credibility as witnesses. Amanda Knox has been flatly contradicted by the corroborative testimony of numerous witnesses.
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Amanda Knox's DNA was on the handle of the double DNA knife and Meredith's DNA was on the blade. Amanda Knox's footprints were set in Meredith's blood in the hallway and in Meredith's room. There were five mixed samples of Amanda Knox's blood or DNA with Meredith's blood in three different locations in the cottage, including Filomena's room, where the break-in was staged.
Incidentally, Raffaele Sollecito's forensic expert, Professor Vinci, claimed that he had found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra. Apparently, Vincenzo Pascali, Sollecito's chief forensic consultant, also found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra.
Raffaele Sollecito left a bloody footprint on the blue bathmat in the bathroom and he left another in the hallway. An abundant amount of Sollecito's DNA was found on Meredith's bra clasp. Meredith's bra was removed some time after she had been killed and Rudy Guede had fled the scene.
Amanda Knox admitted on several occasions that she was at the cottage on the evening of 1 November and she voluntarily admitted that she was involved in Meredith's murder in her handwritten note to the police on 6 November. This confession has been admitted as evidence by Judge Massei.
Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito have both given multiple alibis and lied repeatedly. They still don't have credible alibis for the night of the murder despite three attempts each. They have no credibility as witnesses. Amanda Knox has been flatly contradicted by the corroborative testimony of numerous witnesses.
23
@22:
The handwritten note was extracted from a 20 year old girl after a night in an interrogation room filled with threats, physical assault, and sleep deprivation.
Much of the evidence at the crime scene was grossly mishandled.
The alleged murder weapon doesn't fit the wounds and the quality of the DNA samples was too poor to be conclusive. It was a kitchen knife discovered in Sollecito's kitchen - don't you think the murderer would have ditched the knife?
Rudy Guede, a man with a history of violent crime was placed at the scene. He had never met Knox, Kerchner, or Sollecito before, and thus had no reason to be there. He also fled the country after the crime.
There is no motive for Knox or Sollecito, unless you believe the "satanic ritual" fantasy, which this prosecutor has trotted out before in unrelated cases.
This case is, in fact, utter bullshit from top to bottom.
The handwritten note was extracted from a 20 year old girl after a night in an interrogation room filled with threats, physical assault, and sleep deprivation.
Much of the evidence at the crime scene was grossly mishandled.
The alleged murder weapon doesn't fit the wounds and the quality of the DNA samples was too poor to be conclusive. It was a kitchen knife discovered in Sollecito's kitchen - don't you think the murderer would have ditched the knife?
Rudy Guede, a man with a history of violent crime was placed at the scene. He had never met Knox, Kerchner, or Sollecito before, and thus had no reason to be there. He also fled the country after the crime.
There is no motive for Knox or Sollecito, unless you believe the "satanic ritual" fantasy, which this prosecutor has trotted out before in unrelated cases.
This case is, in fact, utter bullshit from top to bottom.
24
good points, seandr.
also, remember that any kitchen knife (as anyone who's ever watched CSI knows) always has trace DNA from everyone who's used it. It would be surprising if it didn't have trace DNA from her, since it was a commonly used kitchen knife.
Sadly, Italy has you Guilty until proven Innocent.
also, remember that any kitchen knife (as anyone who's ever watched CSI knows) always has trace DNA from everyone who's used it. It would be surprising if it didn't have trace DNA from her, since it was a commonly used kitchen knife.
Sadly, Italy has you Guilty until proven Innocent.
25
@21, I have actually met with people who are reporting form the courtroom. Everything I have been told about this case from the inside points to guilt.
All I ask is for Amanda to produce hard counter evidence. That is it. And we will look at this case in another way.
Has anyone seen this counter evidence? It seems her roommates were able to clear themselves easily enough.
And for those saying this is all about Italians abusing an American--and Raffaele Sollecito? Where is he from? Italians are also "lynching" an Italian.
All I ask is for Amanda to produce hard counter evidence. That is it. And we will look at this case in another way.
Has anyone seen this counter evidence? It seems her roommates were able to clear themselves easily enough.
And for those saying this is all about Italians abusing an American--and Raffaele Sollecito? Where is he from? Italians are also "lynching" an Italian.
27
@22,
"The handwritten note was extracted from a 20 year old girl after a night in an interrogation room filled with threats, physical assault, and sleep deprivation."
This is not true. There were no threats or physical assault according to ALL the witnesses who were actually present, including Amanda Knox's interpreter.
"Much of the evidence at the crime scene was grossly mishandled."
You haven't supported this assertion with any proof whatsoever.
"The alleged murder weapon doesn't fit the wounds..."
The double DNA knife is compatible with the deep puncture wound on Meredith's neck.
"...the quality of the DNA samples was too poor to be conclusive."
According to Dr. Patrizia Stefanoni, the DNA on the blade of the double DNA is a match to Meredith's DNA.
Both Dr. Renato Biondo, the head of the DNA Unit of the scientific police, and the Kerchers’ own DNA expert, Professor Francesca Torricelli, provided independent confirmation that this forensic finding is accurate and reliable.
There wasn't enough DNA to carry out a second test. However, Dr. Stefanoni stated that the one test she did "reliably" identified the DNA on the knife as Meredith's. Dr. Stefanoni is an internationally renowned forensic scientist who helped identify the victims of the tsunami.
"It was a kitchen knife discovered in Sollecito's kitchen - don't you think the murderer would have ditched the knife?"
No, there would have been a far greater likelihood of the killers - Knox and Sollecito - being caught if they had ditched the knife. Instead they took the knife back to Sollecito's apartment where it was vigorously cleaned with bleach. Unfortunately for Knox and Sollecito, some of Meredith's DNA got caught in a groove on the blade.
"Rudy Guede, a man with a history of violent crime was placed at the scene."
Rudy Guede did not have a history of violent crime. He didn't actually have a criminal record before he was found guilty of sexual assault and murder last year. Unlike Amanda Knox, who was arrested for hosting a party that got seriously out of hand, with students high on drink and drugs, and throwing rocks into the road forcing cars to swerve. The students then threw rocks at the windows of neighbours who had called the police.The situation was so bad that police reinforcements had to be called. Amanda was fined $269 (£135) at the Municipal Court after the incident - Crime No: 071830624.
"He had never met Knox, Kerchner, or Sollecito before..."
This is completely false. Amanda Knox and Rudy Guede have both admitted that they knew each other. Guede also admitted that he knew Meredith.
"There is no motive for Knox or Sollecito, unless you believe the "satanic ritual" fantasy, which this prosecutor has trotted out before in unrelated cases."
Several judges refused to grant Knox and Sollecito bail on the grounds that they are mentally unstable, dangerous and could reoffend. Psychopaths kill people for the most mundane reasons: somebody looked at them in a strange way, they felt disrespected, they just felt like it etc.
Would you care to name some of these "unrelated cases" where the prosecutor trotted out the "satanic ritual" fantasy?
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"The handwritten note was extracted from a 20 year old girl after a night in an interrogation room filled with threats, physical assault, and sleep deprivation."
This is not true. There were no threats or physical assault according to ALL the witnesses who were actually present, including Amanda Knox's interpreter.
"Much of the evidence at the crime scene was grossly mishandled."
You haven't supported this assertion with any proof whatsoever.
"The alleged murder weapon doesn't fit the wounds..."
The double DNA knife is compatible with the deep puncture wound on Meredith's neck.
"...the quality of the DNA samples was too poor to be conclusive."
According to Dr. Patrizia Stefanoni, the DNA on the blade of the double DNA is a match to Meredith's DNA.
Both Dr. Renato Biondo, the head of the DNA Unit of the scientific police, and the Kerchers’ own DNA expert, Professor Francesca Torricelli, provided independent confirmation that this forensic finding is accurate and reliable.
There wasn't enough DNA to carry out a second test. However, Dr. Stefanoni stated that the one test she did "reliably" identified the DNA on the knife as Meredith's. Dr. Stefanoni is an internationally renowned forensic scientist who helped identify the victims of the tsunami.
"It was a kitchen knife discovered in Sollecito's kitchen - don't you think the murderer would have ditched the knife?"
No, there would have been a far greater likelihood of the killers - Knox and Sollecito - being caught if they had ditched the knife. Instead they took the knife back to Sollecito's apartment where it was vigorously cleaned with bleach. Unfortunately for Knox and Sollecito, some of Meredith's DNA got caught in a groove on the blade.
"Rudy Guede, a man with a history of violent crime was placed at the scene."
Rudy Guede did not have a history of violent crime. He didn't actually have a criminal record before he was found guilty of sexual assault and murder last year. Unlike Amanda Knox, who was arrested for hosting a party that got seriously out of hand, with students high on drink and drugs, and throwing rocks into the road forcing cars to swerve. The students then threw rocks at the windows of neighbours who had called the police.The situation was so bad that police reinforcements had to be called. Amanda was fined $269 (£135) at the Municipal Court after the incident - Crime No: 071830624.
"He had never met Knox, Kerchner, or Sollecito before..."
This is completely false. Amanda Knox and Rudy Guede have both admitted that they knew each other. Guede also admitted that he knew Meredith.
"There is no motive for Knox or Sollecito, unless you believe the "satanic ritual" fantasy, which this prosecutor has trotted out before in unrelated cases."
Several judges refused to grant Knox and Sollecito bail on the grounds that they are mentally unstable, dangerous and could reoffend. Psychopaths kill people for the most mundane reasons: somebody looked at them in a strange way, they felt disrespected, they just felt like it etc.
Would you care to name some of these "unrelated cases" where the prosecutor trotted out the "satanic ritual" fantasy?
28
Well, she was doing okay enough at the police headquarters to do cartwheels and splits.
She was doing okay enough after the murder to make out with her boyfriend in public.
I do think it sad she's been in jail so long. But most people, when something truly serious and frightening happens in their lives, don't flit around like it's just another day. That's what's quite odd.
She was doing okay enough after the murder to make out with her boyfriend in public.
I do think it sad she's been in jail so long. But most people, when something truly serious and frightening happens in their lives, don't flit around like it's just another day. That's what's quite odd.
29
"if this is the case, if the evidence against Amanda so weak, why doesn't Meredith Kercher's parents side with the Knoxes? Really, it's as simple as that."
That is great logic. GREAT logic. From now on, why don't just ask the victim's family what they think, and then we can just get rid of trials. Fantastic. Simple as that.
"All I ask is for Amanda to produce hard counter evidence. That is it. And we will look at this case in another way."
Too bad police fried all the computers. No matter right? It's up to defendant's to produce an alibi. And these Italian police are so great aren't they? Like the way they treated Lumumba and called him a "dirty black". Great stand up citizens these Italian police.
"I have actually met with people who are reporting form the courtroom." Ya when? A year ago?
That is great logic. GREAT logic. From now on, why don't just ask the victim's family what they think, and then we can just get rid of trials. Fantastic. Simple as that.
"All I ask is for Amanda to produce hard counter evidence. That is it. And we will look at this case in another way."
Too bad police fried all the computers. No matter right? It's up to defendant's to produce an alibi. And these Italian police are so great aren't they? Like the way they treated Lumumba and called him a "dirty black". Great stand up citizens these Italian police.
"I have actually met with people who are reporting form the courtroom." Ya when? A year ago?
32
I've heard that kind of thing so much in so many situations - someone thinks they're an "insider" and so therefore they know the scoop on something, even if their claims to insider status are tenuous. Here you're talking about something pretty damned important, at least to those involved, so it seems a little unseemly to be saying "I talked to people there, so therefore I know the truth, because I am an insider and you're not". And using her tattoo and this entire situation to once again take a real-world, sad situation and fashion it into something meaningless for you to wank off to into your Pretentious Pseudo-Intellectualism 101 text...ick.
And sorry, but what the fuck does her tattoo really have to do with race? You're starting to sound like Walter in The Big Lebowski.
And sorry, but what the fuck does her tattoo really have to do with race? You're starting to sound like Walter in The Big Lebowski.
34
I hardly think talking to a reporter 2 months ago makes someone an insider. If anything it means he knows very little about the case except for what some little bird told him.
Apparently there were semen stains at the crime scene that the police didn't even test. How incompetent are these Italian police? How about the fact that the police fried the computers? How about the fact that the DNA testing on the joke knife was done in an uncertified lab, on a machine that can't even test accurately the level of DNA tested, which wasn't even tested a second time and therefore isn't even scientifically vaild. How about a bra clasp kicked around the floor and picked up 6 weeks later.
How about the fact that the two suspects were under surveillance from the very time the police became suspicious and they didn't say anything incriminating? (aside from wanting to eat pizza).
etc etc etc
But nevermind all of this. She didn't cry enough and as Mudede has so eloquently argued, there is no need for trials anymore.
Apparently there were semen stains at the crime scene that the police didn't even test. How incompetent are these Italian police? How about the fact that the police fried the computers? How about the fact that the DNA testing on the joke knife was done in an uncertified lab, on a machine that can't even test accurately the level of DNA tested, which wasn't even tested a second time and therefore isn't even scientifically vaild. How about a bra clasp kicked around the floor and picked up 6 weeks later.
How about the fact that the two suspects were under surveillance from the very time the police became suspicious and they didn't say anything incriminating? (aside from wanting to eat pizza).
etc etc etc
But nevermind all of this. She didn't cry enough and as Mudede has so eloquently argued, there is no need for trials anymore.
35
"That is great logic. GREAT logic. From now on, why don't just ask the victim's family what they think, and then we can just get rid of trials. Fantastic. Simple as that."
Actually, since this trial is in the Italian system, the opinion of the Kerchers is highly valid. The victims and their lawyers are a full part of the trial and as such the Kercher's lawyer has attended every hearing, questioned Amanda KNox on the stand and he along with the Kercher family have fall unfettered access to the whole case file...all of the evidence. Alomg with the defences, prosecution and judges there is nobody in the world better informed of the minutia of the case then the Kerchers.
Charles is therefore fully right to lend such omportance to thew opinion of the Kercher family.
Actually, since this trial is in the Italian system, the opinion of the Kerchers is highly valid. The victims and their lawyers are a full part of the trial and as such the Kercher's lawyer has attended every hearing, questioned Amanda KNox on the stand and he along with the Kercher family have fall unfettered access to the whole case file...all of the evidence. Alomg with the defences, prosecution and judges there is nobody in the world better informed of the minutia of the case then the Kerchers.
Charles is therefore fully right to lend such omportance to thew opinion of the Kercher family.
36
g,
You don't have to be an insider to know that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are guilty of murdering Meredith. All the judges who have been involved in the case have clearly signposted what the verdict is going to be. Their rulings were based on the evidence and not the numerous lies propagated by Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, and the Friends of Amanda.
You don't have to be an insider to know that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are guilty of murdering Meredith. All the judges who have been involved in the case have clearly signposted what the verdict is going to be. Their rulings were based on the evidence and not the numerous lies propagated by Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, and the Friends of Amanda.
37
This is what Mudede said!:
"As for her being lynched by the Italian public, as a crazed lawyer recently stated on Larry King Live: if this is the case, if the evidence against Amanda is so weak, why doesn't Meredith Kercher's parents side with the Knoxes? Really, it's as simple as that."
Simple as that? In other words, unless the Kercher's say she isn't guilty, she IS guilty. That is called a false syllogism. And btw, isn't Mudede a teacher somewhere? Logic like that is pretty pathetic for someone teaching college level courses.
"As for her being lynched by the Italian public, as a crazed lawyer recently stated on Larry King Live: if this is the case, if the evidence against Amanda is so weak, why doesn't Meredith Kercher's parents side with the Knoxes? Really, it's as simple as that."
Simple as that? In other words, unless the Kercher's say she isn't guilty, she IS guilty. That is called a false syllogism. And btw, isn't Mudede a teacher somewhere? Logic like that is pretty pathetic for someone teaching college level courses.
38
@36, so you think you know what really happened too? I don't claim that myself. Self-satisfied pronouncements claiming to know things you can't know = tiresome.
39
If it weren't for the hopelessly inadequate and factually shaky reporting and crime as enterainment business in America, people might realize that the evidence against Knox and Dollecito is solid and that, while the investigation was not perfect (they never are), it was done in good faith and done correctly.
Much of the television reporting on this case has been compromised by the brokering of access to the family against the promise to stick to the talking points approved of and developed by the PR firm (Marriott) hired to manipulate public opinion. Why is a public relations firm necessary to sway opinion in the US when the trial is taking place in Italy? How much air time has the family gotten to tell its story over and over, with little regard for the facts and not much for the victim. And what about about the family of the victim, Meredith Kercher? Mudede is right: there is certainly a good reason that the family of Meredith Kercher has not condemned the process and slammed the Italians and their legal system. The family has a lawyer (an important safeguard that the US lacks) and has seen the entire case file. The only times they have spoken in public (having opted to let the process play out), the Kerchers have expressed their faith in the prosecutor, the investigation and the Italians.
Amanda Knox was not subjected to 41 or 14 or even 9 hours of non-stop interrogation, as Edda Mellas and Curt Knox have claimed at various times. She fingered an innocent man, whose only connection with this heinous crime is that he was her employer and he was black, like the guy who was ultimately apprehended and convicted in a fast-track trial. Knox's family has claimed many times in the past that Knox did not know Rudy Guede, the Ivory Coast native (and naturalized Italian citizen) in question; this too turns out to be false.
When their alibi fell apart (fairly quickly), Knox and her boyfriend told police they could not remember what they were doing because they had smoked a lot of dope. Yeah, right. A pot blackout.
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Much of the television reporting on this case has been compromised by the brokering of access to the family against the promise to stick to the talking points approved of and developed by the PR firm (Marriott) hired to manipulate public opinion. Why is a public relations firm necessary to sway opinion in the US when the trial is taking place in Italy? How much air time has the family gotten to tell its story over and over, with little regard for the facts and not much for the victim. And what about about the family of the victim, Meredith Kercher? Mudede is right: there is certainly a good reason that the family of Meredith Kercher has not condemned the process and slammed the Italians and their legal system. The family has a lawyer (an important safeguard that the US lacks) and has seen the entire case file. The only times they have spoken in public (having opted to let the process play out), the Kerchers have expressed their faith in the prosecutor, the investigation and the Italians.
Amanda Knox was not subjected to 41 or 14 or even 9 hours of non-stop interrogation, as Edda Mellas and Curt Knox have claimed at various times. She fingered an innocent man, whose only connection with this heinous crime is that he was her employer and he was black, like the guy who was ultimately apprehended and convicted in a fast-track trial. Knox's family has claimed many times in the past that Knox did not know Rudy Guede, the Ivory Coast native (and naturalized Italian citizen) in question; this too turns out to be false.
When their alibi fell apart (fairly quickly), Knox and her boyfriend told police they could not remember what they were doing because they had smoked a lot of dope. Yeah, right. A pot blackout.
41
"Simple as that? In other words, unless the Kercher's say she isn't guilty, she IS guilty. That is called a false syllogism. And btw, isn't Mudede a teacher somewhere? Logic like that is pretty pathetic for someone teaching college level courses".
But if you say "unless I see a huge crushing evidence of guilt I consider it as an evidence of innocence", this is a false syllogism too. You must have a faith to say so. At some point you have to make a chance anyway: you believe two prosecutors who have no vested interest and the Kerchers family, and their collection of imperfect pieces of evidence, or you believe Amanda and her boyfriend with their multiple inconsistent stories.
But if you say "unless I see a huge crushing evidence of guilt I consider it as an evidence of innocence", this is a false syllogism too. You must have a faith to say so. At some point you have to make a chance anyway: you believe two prosecutors who have no vested interest and the Kerchers family, and their collection of imperfect pieces of evidence, or you believe Amanda and her boyfriend with their multiple inconsistent stories.
42
Charles,
What you say is actually right on.
Things that are obvious sometimes get obscured by the smog produced by people who seek to produce the same.
What is obvious to me is what you said a long time ago and that is they have to prove where they were that night, otherwise they are in trouble.
They cant do that Charles so therefore are in trouble.Big trouble.
I have never been in a situation like what Amanda Knox finds herself in but I would as sure as hell remember what I was doing at the time of my housemates death.
I would also not tell the police investigating the crime I was there and could hear the victim screaming as she was raped and murdered but did nothing to help her.
What you say is actually right on.
Things that are obvious sometimes get obscured by the smog produced by people who seek to produce the same.
What is obvious to me is what you said a long time ago and that is they have to prove where they were that night, otherwise they are in trouble.
They cant do that Charles so therefore are in trouble.Big trouble.
I have never been in a situation like what Amanda Knox finds herself in but I would as sure as hell remember what I was doing at the time of my housemates death.
I would also not tell the police investigating the crime I was there and could hear the victim screaming as she was raped and murdered but did nothing to help her.
44
Also,
What did she do after the murder?
She reportedly told police she "woke up at her boyfriends house"
How did she get there?
She told police she cant remember.
Massive red flag here on this point.
What did she do after the murder?
She reportedly told police she "woke up at her boyfriends house"
How did she get there?
She told police she cant remember.
Massive red flag here on this point.
46
What I am saying is that from her dialogue when she told the police what happened, what did she say to them after she heard screams and thuds?
When did she know Meredith was bleeding to death and what did she do?
The police must have asked her these questions and it is something that has not been put in the public domain.
All we know about is the screams she described.
It would be interesting to know what else she told them in this interview.
When did she know Meredith was bleeding to death and what did she do?
The police must have asked her these questions and it is something that has not been put in the public domain.
All we know about is the screams she described.
It would be interesting to know what else she told them in this interview.
47
@23: You're mistaken about at least one point. According to the trial transcripts, Amanda admitted having met Rudy Guede at least once or twice. According to other witnesses who knew them both, Amanda, Meredith and Rudy had all met at the apartment downstairs from the girls', where Meredith's boyfriend lived. I think they may have gotten high together but I'm not sure if I remember that correctly.
I'm not going to rehash the evidence--anyone who wants to understand why Amanda Knox is on trial just has to read the translated, 100-plus page report by Judge Micheli who sent her and Raffaele to trial. Satanic orgy theories have nothing to do with it.
There's also the fact that Meredith's friends she knew in Perugia and the other two roommates all seem to think Amanda's guilty. That has to count for something, that those who knew her best at the time of the murder think she was involved. If this was a railroad job from hell, wouldn't you expect some protest from people who knew Amanda in Italy?
So--this is a very sad case but it's just not a simple one.
I'm not going to rehash the evidence--anyone who wants to understand why Amanda Knox is on trial just has to read the translated, 100-plus page report by Judge Micheli who sent her and Raffaele to trial. Satanic orgy theories have nothing to do with it.
There's also the fact that Meredith's friends she knew in Perugia and the other two roommates all seem to think Amanda's guilty. That has to count for something, that those who knew her best at the time of the murder think she was involved. If this was a railroad job from hell, wouldn't you expect some protest from people who knew Amanda in Italy?
So--this is a very sad case but it's just not a simple one.
48
Meredith's family have done nothing but support the prosecuter since the beginning of the trial/investigation. They have had ample opportunity to verbally support Amanda as well as full access to the court files from both sides. They have not chosen to publically support either defendant and have repeated over and over their respect for the Italian legal system and their support for the current process. I could not agree with Charles more in his opinion that when the Kercher's stand up for Amanda & Raffaele, so will the rest of us.
49
CM - if you know so much about the case why didn't you know that the tattoo was made over the summer break of the trial.
50
The Kerchers are English. The English live to see Americans in distress. It gives them meaning in their dull, miserable little existences. So no, they're not going to consider Amanda's innocence. For them it's all about seeing the Yank suffer.
51
@25
Why does Amanda have to present hard evidence? She is the ACCUSED. It is the prosecution who has the burden of producing hard evidence to PROVE their allegations.
The knife and bra DNA are at best controversial in how they were handled and quantity.
Aside from these two pieces of (using the term loosely) evidence there is nothing that links either defendant to the crime. Even the prosecutor Mignini has essentially admitted as much in his comments about how he will surprise everyone and the scientific evidence means little.
This case has been bungled and manipulated by the prosecution. It is as plain as day but some people want to hang on to their preconceived notions in spite of whatever holes happen to be in the evidence. The only real evidence they have is the "confession" and the next day she wrote she doubts the "verity" of what she stated. Look up the word verity.
Just maybe they are guilty but the prosecution is a long way from having proven anything in this case. The recent articles from Italy as well as here all mention that there is much DOUBT. They haven't convinced me either.
Why does Amanda have to present hard evidence? She is the ACCUSED. It is the prosecution who has the burden of producing hard evidence to PROVE their allegations.
The knife and bra DNA are at best controversial in how they were handled and quantity.
Aside from these two pieces of (using the term loosely) evidence there is nothing that links either defendant to the crime. Even the prosecutor Mignini has essentially admitted as much in his comments about how he will surprise everyone and the scientific evidence means little.
This case has been bungled and manipulated by the prosecution. It is as plain as day but some people want to hang on to their preconceived notions in spite of whatever holes happen to be in the evidence. The only real evidence they have is the "confession" and the next day she wrote she doubts the "verity" of what she stated. Look up the word verity.
Just maybe they are guilty but the prosecution is a long way from having proven anything in this case. The recent articles from Italy as well as here all mention that there is much DOUBT. They haven't convinced me either.
52
Leftfield,
The double DNA knife and the bra clasp remain highly incriminating evidence against Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.
Albert Intini, the head of the Italian police forensic science unit, pointed out that unless contamination has been proved, it does not exist. The forensic experts for Knox and Sollecito were unable to prove that there had been any contamination. They only stated that contamination was theoretically possible.
Dr. Patrizia Stefanoni categorically excluded any possibility of contamination in her laboratory, stating that it had never once occurred in her lab for at least the last seven years, and every precaution was taken in order to exclude the possibility of contamination so that different traces are not mixed.
The double DNA knife is not only the only piece of forensic evidence that links Amanda Knox to the murder of Meredith Kercher. There were five instances of Amanda Knox’s DNA mixed with Meredith’s blood in three different locations in the cottage, including in Filomena's room where the break-in was staged.
Furthermore, there was a woman's bloody shoeprint, which was compatible with Knox's foot size, on a pillow in Meredith's room. This bloody shoeprint was not compatible with Meredith's foot size.
Raffaele Sollecito's forensic expert, Professor Vinci, claimed that he had found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra. Apparently, Vincenzo Pascali, Sollecito's chief forensic consultant, also found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra.
Apart from the bra clasp, Sollecito is linked to Meredith's murder by the footprint evidence.
Two bloody footprints were attributed to Raffaele Sollecito. One of them was revealed by luminol in the hallway, and the other one was easily visible to the naked eye on the blue bathmat in Meredith’s and Knox’s shared bathroom.
Lorenzo Rinaldi excluded the possibility that the bloody footprint on the blue bathmat was the right size or shape to belong to Knox or Guede instead of Sollecito: “You can see clearly that this bloody footprint on the rug does not belong to Mr. Guede, but you can see that it is compatible with Sollecito.”
Andrea Vogt’s report for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer shows just how meticulous and painstakingly detailed the analysis of the bloody footprints was:
“All the elements are compatible with Mr. Sollecito’s foot,” Rinaldi said, pointing with a red laser to a millimeter-by-millimeter analysis of Sollecito’s footprint projected onto a big-screen in the courtroom. He used similar methods to exclude that the footprint on the bath mat could possibly be Guede’s or Knox’s.
“Those bare footprints cannot be mine,” said Sollecito in a spontaneous statement.... But the next witness, another print expert, again confirmed Rinaldi’s testimony, that the print, which only shows the top half of the foot, matches the precise characteristics of Sollecito’s foot....
Rinaldi’s detailed PPT described methods of image analysis, metric and grid measurement of the ball, toe, heel and arch, as well the particular characteristics of the footprints and shoeprints as well as the actual shoes and feet of Knox, Sollecito and Guede. The three suspects gave their footprints and fingerprints at police headquarters.”
Another print expert also testified that the bloody footprint on the blue bathmat matched the precise characteristics of Sollecito’s foot.
More...
The double DNA knife and the bra clasp remain highly incriminating evidence against Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.
Albert Intini, the head of the Italian police forensic science unit, pointed out that unless contamination has been proved, it does not exist. The forensic experts for Knox and Sollecito were unable to prove that there had been any contamination. They only stated that contamination was theoretically possible.
Dr. Patrizia Stefanoni categorically excluded any possibility of contamination in her laboratory, stating that it had never once occurred in her lab for at least the last seven years, and every precaution was taken in order to exclude the possibility of contamination so that different traces are not mixed.
The double DNA knife is not only the only piece of forensic evidence that links Amanda Knox to the murder of Meredith Kercher. There were five instances of Amanda Knox’s DNA mixed with Meredith’s blood in three different locations in the cottage, including in Filomena's room where the break-in was staged.
Furthermore, there was a woman's bloody shoeprint, which was compatible with Knox's foot size, on a pillow in Meredith's room. This bloody shoeprint was not compatible with Meredith's foot size.
Raffaele Sollecito's forensic expert, Professor Vinci, claimed that he had found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra. Apparently, Vincenzo Pascali, Sollecito's chief forensic consultant, also found Knox's DNA on Meredith's bra.
Apart from the bra clasp, Sollecito is linked to Meredith's murder by the footprint evidence.
Two bloody footprints were attributed to Raffaele Sollecito. One of them was revealed by luminol in the hallway, and the other one was easily visible to the naked eye on the blue bathmat in Meredith’s and Knox’s shared bathroom.
Lorenzo Rinaldi excluded the possibility that the bloody footprint on the blue bathmat was the right size or shape to belong to Knox or Guede instead of Sollecito: “You can see clearly that this bloody footprint on the rug does not belong to Mr. Guede, but you can see that it is compatible with Sollecito.”
Andrea Vogt’s report for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer shows just how meticulous and painstakingly detailed the analysis of the bloody footprints was:
“All the elements are compatible with Mr. Sollecito’s foot,” Rinaldi said, pointing with a red laser to a millimeter-by-millimeter analysis of Sollecito’s footprint projected onto a big-screen in the courtroom. He used similar methods to exclude that the footprint on the bath mat could possibly be Guede’s or Knox’s.
“Those bare footprints cannot be mine,” said Sollecito in a spontaneous statement.... But the next witness, another print expert, again confirmed Rinaldi’s testimony, that the print, which only shows the top half of the foot, matches the precise characteristics of Sollecito’s foot....
Rinaldi’s detailed PPT described methods of image analysis, metric and grid measurement of the ball, toe, heel and arch, as well the particular characteristics of the footprints and shoeprints as well as the actual shoes and feet of Knox, Sollecito and Guede. The three suspects gave their footprints and fingerprints at police headquarters.”
Another print expert also testified that the bloody footprint on the blue bathmat matched the precise characteristics of Sollecito’s foot.
53
Italy doesnt have the life sentence. The maximum is only 30 years. Its too bad Amanda Knox can get only that much, being the cold hearted killer she is. She will only be 50 when she gets out. She still has 30+ years left.
Amanda can learn 10+ languages and get multiple degrees in prison.She can come out as a mutifaceted ready to get good jobs in US. She can still make money from book deals claiming innocence and yet she turned herself round in Italy.
Like most of my predictions I bet this is true too!
Amanda can learn 10+ languages and get multiple degrees in prison.She can come out as a mutifaceted ready to get good jobs in US. She can still make money from book deals claiming innocence and yet she turned herself round in Italy.
Like most of my predictions I bet this is true too!
55
To add to Harry Rag's post #52.
Regarding the double DNA knife found at Raffelle's apartment:
When Raffelle was confronted with the evidence of DNA from Meredith on the tip of the blade he told the police that he and Meredith had been cooking and that he had accidently pricked her with the knife.
When police asked Amanda if Meredith had ever been to Raffelle's apartment she said NO! Meredith NOT being at Raffelle's apartment was also confirmed by Meredith friends. Amanda only knew Raffelle for about a week before the murder of Meredith.
RIP Meredith
Regarding the double DNA knife found at Raffelle's apartment:
When Raffelle was confronted with the evidence of DNA from Meredith on the tip of the blade he told the police that he and Meredith had been cooking and that he had accidently pricked her with the knife.
When police asked Amanda if Meredith had ever been to Raffelle's apartment she said NO! Meredith NOT being at Raffelle's apartment was also confirmed by Meredith friends. Amanda only knew Raffelle for about a week before the murder of Meredith.
RIP Meredith
56
Let's have a moratorium on whining about how much everyone hates us poor Americans because their own lives are so dull ("the English live to see Americans in distress"), and how the Italians are willing to sell their souls and pervert their entire justice system before the eyes of the world just to destroy the life of one innocent American girl. Italy, like the US, has good and bad police and good and bad judges, and a defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
Whining about how people don't like you doesn't take the place of facts. Nor does arguing (as Ms. Knox's parents do) that they "just know" their daughter "is just not capable of doing something like that."
Whining about how people don't like you doesn't take the place of facts. Nor does arguing (as Ms. Knox's parents do) that they "just know" their daughter "is just not capable of doing something like that."
58
Mudede,
I don't know why I wish you to be punished for your opinion, but I do. Perhaps it's because of your willful disregard for evidence as it's emerged in the case.
Perhaps it's because you somehow seek to interpret meaning from a picture of a tattoo.
Perhaps it's because I think you should know better.
Perhaps it's because injustice just HURTS so much.
I'll settle for you being shamed. But with a caveat: if you maintain your opinion after Knox is exonerated than I hope she goes after you and the Stranger.
I don't know why I wish you to be punished for your opinion, but I do. Perhaps it's because of your willful disregard for evidence as it's emerged in the case.
Perhaps it's because you somehow seek to interpret meaning from a picture of a tattoo.
Perhaps it's because I think you should know better.
Perhaps it's because injustice just HURTS so much.
I'll settle for you being shamed. But with a caveat: if you maintain your opinion after Knox is exonerated than I hope she goes after you and the Stranger.
59
AMANDA IS INNOCENT.
I have seen the Italian forensic team collect evidence from the crime scene. The DAY AFTER the murder took place, her bra clasp was on the floor...apparently they "forgot" it was there, went back 6 weeks later to collect more evidence, dropped it on the floor (they only used gloves), and then proceed to place it in an evidence bag. That aside, the team still only face trace evidence of Raffelle's DNA.
Also, the kitchen knife that was the "weapon" does not match the blood spatter evidence found on Meredith's bed...the actual weapon had a much straighter point, whereas the kitchen knife is curved.
Regardless of this alleged evidence placing Amanda and Raffelle at the "crime scene," Rudy Hermann Guede has already been convicted of the murder. There is no evidence that links Rudy, Raffelle, and Amanda together. He himself claimed that it was just him and Meredith at her apartment.
I have seen the Italian forensic team collect evidence from the crime scene. The DAY AFTER the murder took place, her bra clasp was on the floor...apparently they "forgot" it was there, went back 6 weeks later to collect more evidence, dropped it on the floor (they only used gloves), and then proceed to place it in an evidence bag. That aside, the team still only face trace evidence of Raffelle's DNA.
Also, the kitchen knife that was the "weapon" does not match the blood spatter evidence found on Meredith's bed...the actual weapon had a much straighter point, whereas the kitchen knife is curved.
Regardless of this alleged evidence placing Amanda and Raffelle at the "crime scene," Rudy Hermann Guede has already been convicted of the murder. There is no evidence that links Rudy, Raffelle, and Amanda together. He himself claimed that it was just him and Meredith at her apartment.
60
Hey Charles,
They never officially took a stand but there is a statement from their lawyer "Meredith Kercher is the real victim of this crime," says the Kerchers' attorney Francesco Maresca. "But it is also distressing that so many other people's lives have also been destroyed." No one would have that sort of sympathy for the killer. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/215133) that really seems to imply that they don't think that Amanda and Raffaele are the culprits. The local newspaper in Meridith's town has also seems to think that the killer was really Guede alone.
There is no reasonable motives, and 'sex orgies' gone wrong are improbable. Couple that with no real evidence, and it's highly unlikely that A & R did it. I imagine that from the Kercher's perspectives they feel that they can't know for sure (no one can know for sure) and that a civil suit against all those found guilty is reasonable to ask. They are specifically only suing those who are found guilty - don't know how things work in Italy, but I'd imagine if you thought they did it you'd try to sue either way.
They never officially took a stand but there is a statement from their lawyer "Meredith Kercher is the real victim of this crime," says the Kerchers' attorney Francesco Maresca. "But it is also distressing that so many other people's lives have also been destroyed." No one would have that sort of sympathy for the killer. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/215133) that really seems to imply that they don't think that Amanda and Raffaele are the culprits. The local newspaper in Meridith's town has also seems to think that the killer was really Guede alone.
There is no reasonable motives, and 'sex orgies' gone wrong are improbable. Couple that with no real evidence, and it's highly unlikely that A & R did it. I imagine that from the Kercher's perspectives they feel that they can't know for sure (no one can know for sure) and that a civil suit against all those found guilty is reasonable to ask. They are specifically only suing those who are found guilty - don't know how things work in Italy, but I'd imagine if you thought they did it you'd try to sue either way.
61
@50
I am an American living in England, and I feel really, really sorry for you.
With the mental age you are demostrating, you are going to have a small and meaningless life.
I am an American living in England, and I feel really, really sorry for you.
With the mental age you are demostrating, you are going to have a small and meaningless life.
62
The sniper of Washington received justice and it has been carried out.
The Monster of Washington will receive a mild form of justice in December as there is no death penalty in Italy.
What goes around comes around.
The Monster of Washington will receive a mild form of justice in December as there is no death penalty in Italy.
What goes around comes around.
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