Meredith Kercher murdered-Amanda Knox appeals conviction #13

[wasnt_me]

This story came out last year, but has a few more details than I've seen about the jailhouse informant's story.

RG says his friend killed MK while he was in the bathroom, and then he and his friend met up at the disco. I hadn't heard that before.

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=10028590&sid=76

Still poses me the same problem. Where is this friend's evidence of being there? I'm glad RG said AK and Rs were NOT there, but I believe RG was alone. But if an unknown accomplice frees two innocent people, so be it. I just hope no other innocent person gets dragged into it as a result. I mean, if they still insist more than one person did it, but they deem that AK and RS are not those people, do they continue to look for another?

I ask because in RG's ruling, they STILL believed it was more than one person.

 

[otto]

This is from a post back in April:

Perhaps you will find this entertaining: "Italian MP's controversial book about Foxy Knoxy reads like a romance novel and reveals his bizarre dreams about the killer

"He writes: 'In my hand she places her pink iPod, which plays incessantly The Beatles. I hesitate. I look at it. Then I look at her.

She tells me 'This is a gift for you,' looking straight into my eyes.'

Breathlessly Mr Girlanda, 45, an MP with ruling Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom Party, adds: 'The conversation continues, until I wake up...I realise my taxi ride with Amanda was just a dream.

'It is not the first dream in which Amanda appears. It will not be the last.'"

Later he writes how Knox asked if she could hug him and perhaps unwisely for an MP, he lets her: 'A hug, a request that I don't expect. I blush. She holds me, I hold her. It's a never ending embrace, without a word.

'If I said I didn't feel any emotion I would be lying. Maybe my face reveals that.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...da-Knox-like-romance-novel.html#ixzz1InO8wtOX

 

[SMK]

This is from a post back in April:

Perhaps you will find this entertaining: "Italian MP's controversial book about Foxy Knoxy reads like a romance novel and reveals his bizarre dreams about the killer

"He writes: 'In my hand she places her pink iPod, which plays incessantly The Beatles. I hesitate. I look at it. Then I look at her.

She tells me 'This is a gift for you,' looking straight into my eyes.'

Breathlessly Mr Girlanda, 45, an MP with ruling Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom Party, adds: 'The conversation continues, until I wake up...I realise my taxi ride with Amanda was just a dream.

'It is not the first dream in which Amanda appears. It will not be the last.'"

Later he writes how Knox asked if she could hug him and perhaps unwisely for an MP, he lets her: 'A hug, a request that I don't expect. I blush. She holds me, I hold her. It's a never ending embrace, without a word.

'If I said I didn't feel any emotion I would be lying. Maybe my face reveals that.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...da-Knox-like-romance-novel.html#ixzz1InO8wtOX

OK. He is a bit over the top. But his reasons for alleging innocence are valid, and the 11 lawmakers are not ga-ga over Knox, and Rome is taking it seriously. There will be talk, but in the end, a potential for good fortune.

ETA: Nowadays too much is made over "inappropriate" behavior regarding the opposite gender. In former times, I think it would be understood that a man is going to be moved by a beautiful young girl who he believes is innocent and wrongly convicted. Although as a powerful political figure, he should have been less personal in his declarations.

 

[SMK]

Here are some new articles about the 11 lawmakers:

"11 Italian Politicos"

http://blog.seattlepi.com/dempsey/2011/05/26/11-italian-politicos-say-investigate-amanda-knox-prosecution/

"MPs: Amanda Knox treated unfairly"

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/mps-amanda-knox-treated-unfairly-16004650.html

Fox News: "Italy: Campaign in Support of Amanda Knox Steps Up"

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/05/26/italy-campaign-support-amanda-knox-steps/#ixzz1NYKZGMty

"American Student Convicted of Murder Being Supported by Italian Lawmakers"

http://www.9and10news.com/Category/Story/?id=292220&cID=1

ABC News: Law-makers in Italy Support Knox

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13691934

"In Italy, campaigning in support of Amanda Knox gains steam"

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/26/1681015/italy-campaign-in-support-of-knox.html#ixzz1NZ53ngUX

The Daily Mail: "Italian MPs claim Amanda Knox was treated unfairly during trial and call for probe in prosecutor's office"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391195/Italian-MPs-claim-Amanda-Knox-treated-unfairly-trial-probe-prosecutors-office.html#ixzz1NZ5bTKlz

"Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister, Is Amanda Knox's New BF"

The public opinion tide in Italy appears to be changing in Amanda Knox's favor. After positive developments in the Seattle woman's appeals trial including DNA evidence that has been labeled too minute to test and a key witness being caught flubbing details while being outed as a dope dealer, Knox this week got some of her best news yet. And it came from the cronies of Italy's most powerful and possibly most corrupt politician.

The AP reports today that 11 Italian lawmakers are now calling for an investigation into the office of Perugia Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini--the man who secured murder convictions against Knox, her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and Ivorian drifter Rudy Guede in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

Mignini, who himself has been convicted of abusing his power and has made a habit out of suing and harassing anyone who speaks ill of him, has staked his entire reputation on the Knox case.

One wonders if they are calling Berlusconi or Girlando corrupt??? I am assuming Berlusconi.

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/05/silvio_berlusconi_italian_prim.php

 

[SMK]

This particular journalist finds Berlusconi very dubious in his motives, yet believes the Knox case was conducted in a questionable manner:

So what do these 11 Italian lawmakers all have in common? They are all members of embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party.

This might be unremarkable if it weren't for the fact that Berlusconi is currently in the midst of a heated battle to try and strip power away from Italian courts. Just today, for example, he called his own country a "dictatorship of left-wing prosecutors."

Why would he want prosecutors to have less power? Perhaps because he's currently facing charges of bribery and having sex with an underage prostitute, then paying to have it covered up.

In fact, attacking the Italian court system has been a favorite hobby over the years for Berlusconi, who, besides the latest accusations, has faced 20 some charges of corruption and abuse of power over the years. In almost every case he (with the help of his party) has been able to pass changes to the law that have kept him out of jail.

This latest effort to attack the country's justice system may certainly be warranted, as most outside observers have found major faults with the way that the Knox case has been handled.

But the reason for it has a much greater chance of being about saving Berlusconi's from being thrown in jail than helping an American student that he and his party feels has been wrongfully convicted.http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/05/silvio_berlusconi_italian_prim.php

 

[otto]

This particular journalist finds Berlusconi very dubious in his motives, yet believes the Knox case was conducted in a questionable manner:

So what do these 11 Italian lawmakers all have in common? They are all members of embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party.

This might be unremarkable if it weren't for the fact that Berlusconi is currently in the midst of a heated battle to try and strip power away from Italian courts. Just today, for example, he called his own country a "dictatorship of left-wing prosecutors."

Why would he want prosecutors to have less power? Perhaps because he's currently facing charges of bribery and having sex with an underage prostitute, then paying to have it covered up.

In fact, attacking the Italian court system has been a favorite hobby over the years for Berlusconi, who, besides the latest accusations, has faced 20 some charges of corruption and abuse of power over the years. In almost every case he (with the help of his party) has been able to pass changes to the law that have kept him out of jail.

This latest effort to attack the country's justice system may certainly be warranted, as most outside observers have found major faults with the way that the Knox case has been handled.

But the reason for it has a much greater chance of being about saving Berlusconi's from being thrown in jail than helping an American student that he and his party feels has been wrongfully convicted.http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/05/silvio_berlusconi_italian_prim.php

Yep. The guy is a sexual predator amongst children. Girlando is dreamy eyed about a convicted murderer. I'm not sure they're doing Knox any favors.

 

[SMK]

Yep. The guy is a sexual predator amongst children. Girlando is dreamy eyed about a convicted murderer. I'm not sure they're doing Knox any favors.

Well, time will tell, but it certainly would be more positive news if there were not scandal attached to it.......

ETA: Cannot tell how this will pan out, as they have not yet gotten an official response.

 

[SMK]

I see that Forbes, Huffington Post (which prompted 9 pages of reader comments) , and MSNBC are running the story, so will see what comes of it:


"Who will compensate two 20 year olds - in the hoped-for case that the appellate trial recognizes their innocence - of the four years of life and freedom that they have been unjustly deprived of, and which no economic compensation could ever reimburse?" said Girlanda. "The so-called evidence and testimonies of the prosecution have proved to be at best considered contradictory and unreliable."

Girlanda is an ally of Berlusconi, who has vehemently attacked Italian magistrates and is seeking to reform the system to limit their powers.

Girlanda also heads a foundation that seeks to promote ties between Italy and the United States, and has established what he says is a close friendship with the 23-year-old American.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/05/26/general-eu-italy-knox_8486141.html

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43181961/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/t/italy-lawmakers-claim-amanda-knox-treated-unfairly-launch-campaign/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/amanda-knox-support-campaign-italy-_n_867480.html

 

[dgfred]

I understand. I hope they get to this in the appeal.

I am unclear at how they are approaching the appeal. For RG's, it seemed that the judge rebutted everything that RG submitted. I say seemed, because it was the judge's report I was reading, not the actual appeal. So there could have been more points on the appeal that the judge didn't consider. but because there seemed to be a lot of things the judge addressed, I got the idea that he'd addressed each thing RG had presented.

AK and RS' appeals are over 100 pages each. AK's spent pages upon pages addressing those "footprints," but we haven't heard a word about it.

So at the opening of the appeal, did th judge refuse parts of their appeals?

No. He has 'left open' the option to look over other stuff if he deems it necessary after the dna/retest/review is submitted to the court. So it is still possible IMO.

 

[dgfred]

Her dress is in no way indicative of her innocence or guilt, especially not her dress in court, which occurred AFTER the murder, so I'm uncertain why it keeps getting brought up except for as an attempt to degrade her.

Not one shred of evidence can be gleaned from her clothing, not even the clothing she wore the night of the murder.

I don't agree. Nobody (in a correct frame of mind) would wear an 'ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE' t-shirt to court when at trial for murder IMO. Also looking/giggling/giving candies/etc to your co-accused does not usually go over too well with a jury. It kind of makes a mockery of the victim, and the court in a way. There is NO WAY as her lawyer 'I' would have allowed it!

 

[SMK]

I don't agree. Nobody (in a correct frame of mind) would wear an 'ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE' t-shirt to court when at trial for murder IMO. Also looking/giggling/giving candies/etc to your co-accused does not usually go over too well with a jury. It kind of makes a mockery of the victim, and the court in a way. There is NO WAY as her lawyer 'I' would have allowed it!

I do not think it indicates guilt in any way, shape, or form - but I would agree her attorneys should have advised her and set a standard, and explained to her why it was necessary. Perhaps they thought she seemed like an innocent "flower child" in her dress and actions, and thought it would help her? They must have given it SOME thought...:waitasec:

 

[otto]

I do not think it indicates guilt in any way, shape, or form - but I would agree her attorneys should have advised her and set a standard, and explained to her why it was necessary. Perhaps they thought she seemed like an innocent "flower child" in her dress and actions, and thought it would help her? They must have given it SOME thought...:waitasec:

It doesn't indicate guilt, but it suggests there might be a screw loose. If there's a screw loose ... sometimes bad things happen.

 

[SMK]

It doesn't indicate guilt, but it suggests there might be a screw loose. If there's a screw loose ... sometimes bad things happen.

Granted. On the other hand, the world is teeming with screwy people, and it very rarely concludes in sexual murder. A screw loose is not a clear enough indicator for this crime. I unfortunately come from a family in which many members would make Amanda pale by comparison, by anyone's standards of screwy, offensive, etc. Maybe that is why my perspective is different.

 

[dgfred]

I do not think it indicates guilt in any way, shape, or form - but I would agree her attorneys should have advised her and set a standard, and explained to her why it was necessary. Perhaps they thought she seemed like an innocent "flower child" in her dress and actions, and thought it would help her? They must have given it SOME thought...:waitasec:

It does show the possibility of irrational decisions in other matters IMO.

 

[Nova]

Her dress is in no way indicative of her innocence or guilt, especially not her dress in court, which occurred AFTER the murder, so I'm uncertain why it keeps getting brought up except for as an attempt to degrade her.

Not one shred of evidence can be gleaned from her clothing, not even the clothing she wore the night of the murder.

To me, it's the most frustrating aspect of this discussion. Whenever the forensic evidence against AK or RS is shown to be lacking (which is invariably), the discussion somehow slides to irrelevant details such as cartwheels and how AK dressed on the stand. When that doesn't work, the discussion shifts again to accusations against AK's parents, and then back to "but the jury said she was guilty."

 

[SMK]

To me, it's the most frustrating aspect of this discussion. Whenever the forensic evidence against AK or RS is shown to be lacking (which is invariably), the discussion somehow slides to irrelevant details such as cartwheels and how AK dressed on the stand. When that doesn't work, the discussion shifts again to accusations against AK's parents, and then back to "but the jury said she was guilty."

It is rather silly, isn't it, when all is said and done?

 

[Nova]

ooooh, AK's feminine wiles strike again. Glad to know they work for some women. I think he should can the feelings, as they are evident in the letter. At least that he is enamored, but doesn't mean he's wrong, and if her glowing personality helped her case get some attention, I'm glad for her. There are many less charismatics sitting in jail for something they didn't do, but can't get anyone to pay them international attention.

For example, RS. :angel:

No one seems to care about him in the press. It's all about AK. Hopefully, they'll remember to unlock his cell door, too, when they are released.

I have to wonder if everyone isn't slightly embarrassed for Rafi. After all, he's been consistently painted as the helpless, nerdy dupe of the evil Amanda!

Which is odd since the prosecution has at various times accused him of holding MK down while she was raped and of wielding one of the murder weapons. Sounds like more than a lovesick puppy to me!

 

[Nova]

I was called for jury duty in GA. I showed up in a suit and panty hose. They said we could wear what we wanted. Others had on jeans. I showed up the next day in a jogging suit. It was fine.

Southern California courts actually send out notices to prospective jurors, banning shorts and flip-flops! LOL. But I admit that otherwise, I dress as casually as I can. Juror rooms are often crowded and not well air-conditioned; there's no way I'm going to sit there for 8 hours in a tie and jacket.

 

[Nova]

Just guessing here, but I don't think that log file is restricted to listing keyboard behavior. I believe all the video activity has already been accounted for. This whole area is one I'm a bit vague on.

I'm a bit vague, too. But if I were a juror, 3 out of 4 hard drives destroyed = reasonable doubt that ILE's computer techs knew what they were doing.

 

[Nova]

This story came out last year, but has a few more details than I've seen about the jailhouse informant's story.

RG says his friend killed MK while he was in the bathroom, and then he and his friend met up at the disco. I hadn't heard that before.

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=10028590&sid=76

Still poses me the same problem. Where is this friend's evidence of being there? I'm glad RG said AK and Rs were NOT there, but I believe RG was alone. But if an unknown accomplice frees two innocent people, so be it. I just hope no other innocent person gets dragged into it as a result. I mean, if they still insist more than one person did it, but they deem that AK and RS are not those people, do they continue to look for another?

I ask because in RG's ruling, they STILL believed it was more than one person.

Unless the defense finds evidence of an unnamed accomplice (I don't expect ILE to look for any or admit it if they find any), I don't hold out much hope that this story will carry any weight with the appellate court. The statement remains as self-serving at RG's other statements and I doubt the court will pick out just that part that exonerates AK and RS. IMO it's much more likely the court will reject the whole as unbelievable.