Meredith Kercher murdered-Amanda Knox appeals conviction #12

[otto]

Don't take my word on how her study abroad was paid for. I may not remember correctly what her mother said. The fact remains that her family emphasizes how hard she worked in order to afford to study overseas. That is not typical in my experience.

NEWSFLASH TO OTTO: You don't know Amanda Knox! You don't know whether she is dull or not. The personal relationship you seem to imagine having with her is a figment of your imagination.

I agree that her creative writing is childish, but then the writing we have from her was written when she was basically a child or very young adult. No surprise there. So, no, I don't think she's Flannery O'Connor at the present time, but we have to wait and see whom and what she becomes.

Nonetheless, she is an honors graduate from an exclusive and demanding Seattle prep school, a school that thought enough of her to give her a scholarship to attend. She is not "average." The dull, average girl is the chimera you seem to imagine you know.

Are you suggesting that because I have an opinion about Knox's "art", "creative writing", deception, character, crimes, so on ... that I am deluded into thinking that I have a personal relationship with her? I hope not. That's a weird thing to think. For clarification, I form opinions of those I read about. For example, I have an opinion about Amanda Knox, Brad Cooper and other murderers whose trials I have followed ... At no time do I believe that I have a personal relationship with these murderers as a result of having an opinion about them.

I think that's a weird, personal remark to make.

 

[Nova]

If you search Feb 22, 2006, you will find many links where Preston claims that on that day he was questioned for three hours. I wonder why he has reduced the time to match the two hours that Knox was questioned. Preston's description of the interview is documented in his book pgs: 253-259.

"I went to Italy on Feb. 14 with my family on vacation and to do some work with Spezi on the book. I was taken into custody by the police on Feb. 22. I was brought before Giuliano Mignini. There I was aggressively interrogated for three hours by him and three police detectives."

http://www.crimefictionblog.com/2006/03/douglas_preston.html

How can he be confused whether it was 2 hours or 3 hours?

First, I should be clear that he didn't make any comparison between his ordeal and that of AK. The linkage was mine.

It may have been the way the question was asked. Maybe there was a continuous 2-hour interrogation and then another hour of questioning earlier or later.

 

[Nova]

Are you suggesting that because I have an opinion about Knox's "art", "creative writing", deception, character, crimes, so on ... that I am deluded into thinking that I have a personal relationship with her? I hope not. That's a weird thing to think. For clarification, I form opinions of those I read about. For example, I have an opinion about Amanda Knox, Brad Cooper and other murderers whose trials I have followed ... At no time do I believe that I have a personal relationship with these murderers as a result of having an opinion about them.

I think that's a weird, personal remark to make.

Well put, otto. At the end of the day, I don't really know you any better than you know Amanda Knox, so I should be careful with my speculations. I apologize.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion of her writing, though I would caution you that some of what has been released were private drafts not necessarily intended for worldwide publication.

But when you describe her as dull, as having a dead soul, I can't help but wonder where you are getting your information. When you insist she is "ordinary" despite her obvious academic success, I can't help but wonder whom you are describing. Because neither of us knows AK well enough to make some of those judgments, while other judgements are simply contrary to reported facts. (This is why I thought you seemed to be relating to some imaginary "Amanda.")

I know you disapprove of some of her behaviors, but I trust you remember you've only heard of that behavior thirdhand.

 

[SMK]

Any thoughts on why Preston is repeatedly mentioned throughout the letter? Is that merely accidental, or is it because he has something to do with it?

OK, if he has something to do with it, how does that negate it? Are you saying he has a personal vendetta against Mignini?

 

[SMK]

Well put, otto. At the end of the day, I don't really know you any better than you know Amanda Knox, so I should be careful with my speculations. I apologize.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion of her writing, though I would caution you that some of what has been released were private drafts not necessarily intended for worldwide publication.

But when you describe her as dull, as having a dead soul, I can't help but wonder where you are getting your information. When you insist she is "ordinary" despite her obvious academic success, I can't help but wonder whom you are describing. Because neither of us knows AK well enough to make some of those judgments, while other judgements are simply contrary to reported facts. (This is why I thought you seemed to be relating to some imaginary "Amanda.")

I know you disapprove of some of her behaviors, but I trust you remember you've only heard of that behavior thirdhand.

I agree with you, Nova. I have heard many people talk about her as if they know her, know the inner workings of her mind, and it strikes me as odd, obsessive, fixated. The point should be only the actual evidence.

Speculating on her character is nowhere. We do not know her, and we do not know the victim. The question is, is it reasonable that she and RS were there and involved with the crime?

Judging someone on creative writing is absurd. And how many 20 year olds have " a dead soul"? How does one defend oneself against that kind of weird charge, anyway? This case is used by some as a canvas for projection. I have seen it in the Casey Anthony case, too. Yes, I think she is guilty, and no, I do not hate her. (Anthony) Objectivity and suspending passion and holding the emotions in check is called for. Seems all have forgotten their Plato. :waitasec: Thanks for your astute insights, Nova. As usual....

 

[ohiogirl]

In what way are "free speech" laws different in Italy? It is okay in the US to falsely accuse someone in public office of having ties to the drug world? That appears to be the situation with Frank. He published information alleging that an officer of the court, a public official, has ties to the drug world. Is that okay under US "free speech" laws?

I posted a link yesterday to the only real information we have read about the reason for Frank's writings being removed from the internet: "Sfarzo, the man responsible for the Perugia Shock blog, accused Mignini of having ties to drug dealers."

I think we would all like to hear from Frank. He should either clarify the situation or state that he is prevented from discussing the situation due to court order (court proceedings are also subject to media blackouts in the US, so let's not jump on that as another example of no "free speech").

The only people I see supporting Frank's illegal activities are the same people that are using Amanda Knox to further their own cause: Doug Preston, Dempsey, Fisher, etc.

OMG, I can't believe you are defending this man.

 

[otto]

First, I should be clear that he didn't make any comparison between his ordeal and that of AK. The linkage was mine.

It may have been the way the question was asked. Maybe there was a continuous 2-hour interrogation and then another hour of questioning earlier or later.

Why would Doug Preston change his story, first claiming that he was questioned for 3 hours and then adjusting the time to 2 hours; the same length of time that Knox was questioned? Since he's been fixated on this experience for the last five years, it hardly seems like a detail he would forget. Could he be doing this because he has an agenda? Has he become old and forgetful?

Should we make excuses for the fact that novelist Doug Preston can't keep his facts straight?

 

[otto]

Well put, otto. At the end of the day, I don't really know you any better than you know Amanda Knox, so I should be careful with my speculations. I apologize.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion of her writing, though I would caution you that some of what has been released were private drafts not necessarily intended for worldwide publication.

But when you describe her as dull, as having a dead soul, I can't help but wonder where you are getting your information. When you insist she is "ordinary" despite her obvious academic success, I can't help but wonder whom you are describing. Because neither of us knows AK well enough to make some of those judgments, while other judgements are simply contrary to reported facts. (This is why I thought you seemed to be relating to some imaginary "Amanda.")

I know you disapprove of some of her behaviors, but I trust you remember you've only heard of that behavior thirdhand.

When I refer to Knox's violent writings, or "creative writing", I am specifically referring to her Baby Brother story, about a rape, and the story she wrote in prison for which she won the prison writing award, a story about the attack of a young woman who is left to die. Those writings are a window to her mind, and what is seen through that window is violence against women.

 

[otto]

OMG, I can't believe you are defending this man.

Knox and Sollecito were prosecutd by Comodi and Mignini. They were found guily of murder and sentenced to 25 and 26 years in prison. Why would I want to attack either of the prosecutors? These two prosecutors did not find the pair guilty, it was a jury that found them guilty. What has he done in connection with Meredith Kercher's murder other than present the case to the jury?

 

[otto]

OK, if he has something to do with it, how does that negate it? Are you saying he has a personal vendetta against Mignini?

Yes..

 

[SMK]

Yes..

Maybe this is why:


A Note from Douglas
The worst thing about the Monster of Florence case is that it has effectively exiled me from Italy, a country that I love. The chief prosecutor in the case, Giuliano Mignini, has publicly threatened to have me arrested, and yet he refuses to release any information about my legal status to the U.S. State Department. Am I still under indictment? Is there a warrant out for my arrest? Will I be harassed by the police if I return? Investigated? Interrogated? I do not know. Having seen the arbitrary exercise of judicial power in Italy first-hand, I’m not inclined to take the risk and go back.http://www.monsterofflorence.co.uk/?p=1

 

[otto]

Maybe this is why:


A Note from Douglas
The worst thing about the Monster of Florence case is that it has effectively exiled me from Italy, a country that I love. The chief prosecutor in the case, Giuliano Mignini, has publicly threatened to have me arrested, and yet he refuses to release any information about my legal status to the U.S. State Department. Am I still under indictment? Is there a warrant out for my arrest? Will I be harassed by the police if I return? Investigated? Interrogated? I do not know. Having seen the arbitrary exercise of judicial power in Italy first-hand, I’m not inclined to take the risk and go back.http://www.monsterofflorence.co.uk/?p=1

Exactly. Preston has attached himself to the Knox case for publicity regarding his Monster of Florence book. During his 3 hours of questioning by Mignini, where he was not beaten, he was told that he was being questioned in connection with an ongoing serial murder investigation - an investigation where Preston was interfering. He did something he shouldn't have done, and he got caught. He's been mad about it for 5 years, so when Mignini was assigned the Meredith Kercher case, Preston saw his opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: advertise his book and jump on the Mignini the Meanie rant.

 

[SMK]

Exactly. Preston has attached himself to the Knox case for publicity regarding his Monster of Florence book. During his 3 hours of questioning by Mignini, where he was not beaten, he was told that he was being questioned in connection with an ongoing serial murder investigation - an investigation where Preston was interfering. He did something he shouldn't have done, and he got caught. He's been mad about it for 5 years, so when Mignini was assigned the Meredith Kercher case, Preston saw his opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: advertise his book and jump on the Mignini the Meanie rant.

Well, I hope Preston is better than this. What is it that he got caught at? I was under the assumption that as Mignini had his 20 indictments thrown out connected to the MOF case, and was convicted and sentenced to 16 months prison, that HE had done something untoward in the case, and not Preston.

 

[otto]

Well, I hope Preston is better than this. What is it that he got caught at? I was under the assumption that as Mignini had his 20 indictments thrown out connected to the MOF case, and was convicted and sentenced to 16 months prison, that HE had done something untoward in the case, and not Preston.

Preston's book, the Monster of Florence, details his experience with being questioned in connection with the investigation on pages 253-259. He was snooping around areas crucial to the investigation with an Italian journalist that had a tip from police. I expect that snooping novelists could compromise the investigation.

 

[SMK]

Preston's book, the Monster of Florence, details his experience with being questioned in connection with the investigation on pages 253-259. He was snooping around areas crucial to the investigation with an Italian journalist that had a tip from police. I expect that snooping novelists could compromise the investigation.

Yes, I have read the account many times on Preston's blog (the excerpt taken from the book) but cannot seem to find it now. I do not recall that he was snooping so much as investigating with Spezi or whomever that friend was. But why was Mignini convicted of abuse of office, deemed unfit in Florence, and sentenced to 16 months jail time? With 20 indictments tossed? It soundS as though Mignini was more trouble than Preston. Don't get me wrong, I like and respect Mignini. Its just that he needs to be reined in a bit.

 

[wasnt_me]

When I refer to Knox's violent writings, or "creative writing", I am specifically referring to her Baby Brother story, about a rape, and the story she wrote in prison for which she won the prison writing award, a story about the attack of a young woman who is left to die. Those writings are a window to her mind, and what is seen through that window is violence against women.

Or it is her way of trying to work through what she figured happened to MK. I have written stories based on real crimes as a way to work through the events. AK has even more reason do it since MK was her friend and she's still in jail for the killing--whether or not she actually did it.

 

[wasnt_me]

So I guess no one else watched the video I posted in the thread?

 

[Allusonz]

So I guess no one else watched the video I posted in the thread?

Yes I did and found it quite well done

 

[Allusonz]

Copy of Court Order on Dempseys page

As well it appears a Swedish firm will be taking over hosting his blog

"In the court order, Mignini accuses Frank of linking him to “vagrants and drug dealers"

Frank actually says the opposite, in the blog post attached to the court order, reproduced below. In fact, Frank describes the prosecutor’s dismay when ”super-witness” vagrant Antonio “Toto” Curatolo turns out to be a heroin dealer/user:

“I remember the prosecutor was quite surprised, at the time when Toto came out, in hearing he was into drugs.”


http://blog.seattlepi.com/dempsey/2...n-amanda-knox-blog-google-are-you-watching-2/

 

[Malkmus]

Copy of Court Order on Dempseys page

As well it appears a Swedish firm will be taking over hosting his blog

"In the court order, Mignini accuses Frank of linking him to “vagrants and drug dealers"

Frank actually says the opposite, in the blog post attached to the court order, reproduced below. In fact, Frank describes the prosecutor’s dismay when ”super-witness” vagrant Antonio “Toto” Curatolo turns out to be a heroin dealer/user:

“I remember the prosecutor was quite surprised, at the time when Toto came out, in hearing he was into drugs.”

http://blog.seattlepi.com/dempsey/2...n-amanda-knox-blog-google-are-you-watching-2/

Much ado about nothing. Why am I completely and utterly not surprised. This just validates the CPJ's claims.

Another frivolous lawsuit from Mignini. Sheesh.
Keep up the great work, Mignini!