Amanda Knox on GMA: ’emotionless ice maiden’ or just traumatized?

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Here are some photos of Amanda Knox at the Good Morning America studios on Friday. Knox gave her first post-second-conviction interview to GMA on Friday, just hours after a second Italian court found her guilty of murdering Meredith Kercher. Knox said the second convication “hit me like a train” and that she “will never go willingly back to the place where … I’m going to fight this to the very end. It’s not right and it’s not fair.” She also says that she’s sent Meredith Kercher’s family a letter – through her lawyers – and that “I just want them to know that I really understand that this is incredibly difficult, that they’ve also been on this never ending thing and when the case has been messed up so much, like a verdict is no longer consolation for them.” Here’s the video:


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Do you think Knox is an asset to herself? I do not. At this point, I have no idea what she’s guilty of or what really happened, but I’m just saying, on a superficial level, Amanda turns people off when she gives these interviews. That was what I noticed last year too, when she was doing press for her book. It could be that she’s just a traumatized young woman, or it could be something else, but she does come across as cold, as an actress playing a part. But! I read this Radar story which is just an interview with one of Amanda’s former prison guards and I think this assessment is really unfair:

Amanda Knox made headlines around the world with her emotion-packed interview on Good Morning America Friday, where she tearfully maintained her innocence and expressed sympathy for the family of the former roommate she’s been twice convicted of killing.

But a guard from her years in an Italian jail is insisting that’s not the real Knox.

“She’s painting herself as a warm, loving human being, but the Amanda I knew was so composed, I never saw her suffering and other prisoners and staff called her the ‘ice maiden’,” Angela Antonietto told the UK’s Daily Mirror.

“She never, ever talked of Meredith or expressed emotion about her death. Whenever Meredith’s face came on TV she didn’t want to know and didn’t respond. She was impenetrable. Underneath the veneers she remains the same controlled woman I knew well in Capanne prison. She was so composed, I never saw her suffering,” Antonietti insisted.

As RadarOnline.com reported, Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were charged with murdering her former housemate Meredith Kercher while the two women were exchange students in Italy in 2006.

Convicted, the pair began serving their lengthy prison sentences, only to have them overturned in 2011. But Italian law allowed the courts to take a second crack at the case last year, and retry them. Kercher, who had returned to her home in Seattle did not go back to Italy for the trial, and was stunned when the verdict came in on Thursday. She and Sollecito were found guilty again.

They are now appealing that decision to the Italian supreme court.

“She was unlike any other prisoner. I’ve never seen another girl like her, especially so young. She’s magnetic and manipulative,” maintained her former guard. “She had no emotions for people, only books. She never talked to other prisoners, she was only concerned about her world.”

[From Radar]

That’s a lot of projecting, right? Yikes. And while the “ice maiden” thing is something I could definitely see, I didn’t know that there was a rule about how emotional you were supposed to be in prison. Isn’t it possible that she dealing with her situation without too much emotion was simply a survival technique? And that’s the problem with her interviews too – I think whenever she has to talk about it, her body goes into survival mode, and that’s why she comes across as so cold and emotionless. None of which is a crime.

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186 Responses to “Amanda Knox on GMA: ’emotionless ice maiden’ or just traumatized?”

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  1. Gine says:

    She could just be a really unemotional person. That doesn’t make her a murderer (and I’m not saying she definitely didn’t do it, either–honestly, I don’t know enough about the case to make any kind of judgement call). Hell, she could be an actual sociopath but not be at all violent–most of them aren’t.

    It makes me really uncomfortable when people try to condemn someone for not acting “properly” during a crisis.

    • bettyrose says:

      I’m increasingly convinced she has high functioning Asbergers. I don’t have links handy but the articles in Rolling Stone and Slate made good cases for this.

      • Gine says:

        She really could. It’s diagnosed less in women because the signs aren’t the same.

      • sapphoandgrits says:

        I totally agree.

      • Esmom says:

        I was starting to think the same thing. My teenage son has Aspergers and trying to imagine him in this situation (god forbid)…I think people would think he was being wildly inappropriate, too.

        Also, a flat/inappropriate demeanor does not mean people with Aspergers lack empathy. In fact the latest theory is that they may actually be hyper-empathic but because of their challenges with self regulation we “typical” folk just don’t see it outwardly because it doesn’t sync with society’s expectations of what empathy looks like.

      • lambchops says:

        totally agree. she is on the spectrum for sure.

      • Slim Charles says:

        Yes! Just came on here to say that. I think her parents should make people aware of that fact (if it’s true), because she comes off so badly.

      • GoHawks says:

        I know Amanda – from Seattle, went to school with her – and I don’t think so. Honestly, I have no idea what happened either, but I don’t think she has Aspergers.. but — and I won’t say how anyone SHOULD act, because everyone responds to situations different and no way is the “right” way — if it were me, and I was innocent but locked up for 4 years and found guilty again, I would be PISSED. All the scared and feeling sorry for myself emotions she seems to be portraying here I would have dealt with during those 4 years, and the only emotion I’d be feeling would be anger. F*ck the italian justice system and the fact that they can condemn with almost no evidence. F*ck the fact that double jeopary doesn’t exist. F*ck it all. Anger is the only emotion I could comprehend feeling at this point — if I were innocent.

    • JojoAnn says:

      I think she may have some kind of disorder, theres something very off about this woman. I’m thinking personality disorders where inability to empathise (and by extension have a consciencr) is a symptom. As for the guard, I think a person who spends his life observing inmates is very well positioned to judge when someone is off. I’m sure over the years he has encountered cons who respond in different ways so if he says this one was creepy, I believe him completely.

      • msw says:

        In this situation, I don’t think it’s so clear cut, because the Italian guard is comparing her to Italian prisoners, and Italians are generally more effusive than Americans. So called “personality disorders” are also not a universal thing–they basically just mean you don’t behave in a way that meets culture expectations, and it isn’t always in a way that is disagreeable to others. Just want to point that out. I don’t know Knox and I’ve never watched any of her interviews, so I don’t have an opinion on what kind of behavioral health issues she may or may not have.

      • Kiddo says:

        Excellent point msw. Evaluating personality disorders must be done within the cultural ‘norm’.

      • Naye in VA says:

        I kind of caution the whole “spent life observing inmate” thing as a sign of good judgement for a prison guard. Firstly, Italy’s entire justice system has been proven pretty shoddy with this case. Secondly, it may not seem that way to people who have never been inside a prison or a jail, but most guards dont give a shit about the prisoners. Maybe some, the ones they like to fairytale on tv, but most act like you aren’t a real person. As people who frequently looks upon others without compassion or really concern for the circumstances that led them to be incarcerated, I find it hard to believe the guard is a fair judge on the emotional capability of an inmate. You have to know what is like to enter a system that gives you a number and that’s all you are to understand shutting off emotions. Amanda was in a foreign jail at that. Dealing with one of the most highly publicized international cases in recent history and being tried mostly by her attitude instead of facts. I don’t blame her one bit for being closed off.

      • Gine says:

        …Yeah, having known a lot of people who are/were prison guards over the course of my life, I’m not exactly quick to trust their judgement, as a group. You know that saying, “the only difference between a cop and a criminal is a badge”?

      • Tiffany :) says:

        You have to keep in mind she was raked over the coals for showing any emotion during the beginning of all of this. It isn’t surprising AT ALL that she over-corrected and now shows little emotion, as people seize it to use against her. Her guards were her captors, it isn’t surprising that she didn’t open up to them.

      • Jessiebes says:

        I’m sorry to see the hate against police officers and prison guards in this thread. We do necessary jobs that are hard and yes sometimes that means some emotional detachment, it is our survival skill to deal.

        We are just people after all who on a daily basis are confronted with awful situations and bad people. We try to do the best we can and sometimes we get good results for the victim, but sometimes we don’t. It’s frustrating and traumatising. It doesn’t help that there just isn’t enough time, money or resource.

        Not all cops or prison guards are bad, many of us our good people who have chosen this profession to help and protect and will offer up our lives for that.

      • Gine says:

        No one said all cops or prison guards are bad. Unfortunately, though, a LOT of them are. My father was a good cop, and he’s the first to admit that far too many of them are corrupt, arrogant bullies–and that’s a really serious issue, considering how much power they wield. I understand your frustration, but it should be aimed at those among your fellow officers who have taught the general population that we’re wise not to trust them.

    • FLORC says:

      Agreed
      She’s been through enough traumatizing events and had her innocent actions (stretching her back after many hours of non-stop interrogation) are stretched into cartwheels. If I was so terrified that if I breathed the wrong way someone would try and use it againt me I would disassociate too. I can see no ice maiden. They’re really reaching and it looks desperate.

      • mayamaely says:

        I agree. And I’m not sure how they expected her to react to Meredith’s face coming on the TV screen. I think it would be a lot more bizarre if she ran attentively to watch. Also, an innocent person isn’t going to spend time acting remorseful. They’re comparing her to a guilty inmate – totally different situation.

    • Godwina says:

      I don’t find that interview at all “emotionless.” She seems quite shaken, her voice is quavering…

      I have no opinion about her guilt or innocence, but I don’t see the “icy” here.

      • Lulu says:

        I agree. I don’t understand the behavioral “fascism” directed agaist her. She carries herself really well and seems composed, but clearly an extremely emotional interview. Don’t see the icy either.

        Maybe she doesnt “perform” emotions with lots af tears and sobbing, but they are clearly there.

  2. Kiddo says:

    I’m not seeing the ice princess thing. She looks like she’s trying to hold it together. If she would have been crying her head off, someone inevitably would have claimed it as evidence of guilt. She’s been through several trials, being accused of being a murderer. I’m sure she has had to dig deep for strength.

    • kibbles says:

      Me neither. I haven’t been following her case as closely as many people here, so this was one of the few times I actually sat down and watched her give an interview. She seems to be very traumatised by this experience. I don’t believe her voice cracking and being on the verge of breaking down is an act. I think she could be more coherent and needs to work on her public speaking skills. I don’t think she needs to act all vulnerable and scared. She appears to be a tough woman who has been through hell for this trial and she doesn’t need to act like she isn’t strong in order to garner sympathy votes. My guy feeling is that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that she is guilty, but that she knows more than what she is telling, which is natural. She’s not going to say anything incriminating or that would make her look even crazier in the public eye.

    • IzzyB says:

      She may just be very reserved. People think I’m cold but on my own I’ll mope like hell.

      Plus, how much contact did the prison guards have with her?
      My uncle went to prison and was fine all day but at night he was a mess. He told me it was a place where you don’t let other people see you vulnerable.

      • Naye in VA says:

        +1 exactly.

      • Kiddo says:

        @IzzyB, I am one of those people who doesn’t allow for a great deal of public display, so I can completely relate. When I am in the throes of something difficult, I can maintain an immense amount of restraint and composure. I am grace under pressure. When the pressure is over, it might be the time where I collapse, but usually without an audience. Giving into emotion as a battle rages on, might break the spirit, for some.

    • mayamaely says:

      I think she may be the victim of the whole angel/whore complex. At first the Italian headlines commented on her sweet angelic appearance. Now she’s the whore with an ice queen disposition.

      • Godwina says:

        This. I’m not making any claims about her guilt or not, but the press since the start has been… How should we say? Uncreative and traditional, to put it kindly.

        Less euphemistically? A misogynistic narrative right out of the textbook–and out of the pages of history, for anyone familiar with some of the old Medieval or Restoration or Georgian or [pick your historical period] “big” trials involving female criminals. Seriously, anyone who knows history is rolling her eyes and shaking her head at the credibility of this narrative. Plus ca change.

  3. lilian says:

    She wrote a book last year? Is it a thing now to benifit of a crime you have been accused of??

    • Tulip Garden says:

      It is. Those lawyers don’t come cheap.

    • atrain says:

      Many people in extremely media-heavy situations write books to tell their side of the story. It would also help make money, to pay for her extensive legal bills and to give her something to live off of. It’s not like she could go get a job at the Gap at this point.

    • Jackson says:

      If I were innocent and went through what she went through, I’d probably write a book about it too. I’d want the truth that I lived out there, and would probably need to pay crazy lawyer bills as well. Not the same thing as an OJ “If I did it, this is how I would have done it” book.

    • Merritt says:

      Most of the money she would have made from the book would have gone to her attorneys. I think her family went broke and is in debt over the trials, travel, and attorney fees.

      • msw says:

        IIRC her mother quit her job to devote her time to travel and research. I’m sure her parents’ loss of income and personal expenses cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. I doubt very much she is sitting on a profit from her book, after the PR team’s payment to combat the media sensationalism in three countries and the legal fees.

        Having said that, she needs to pay her €22k fee to Patrick Lumumba already. I’m not sure what the holdup is, but that poor guy needs to be able to get on with his life. As far as I understand, since she lost the slander case on appeal, it’s not going to be retried. Paying him his due should be priority #1, even over paying the lawyers, I think. I still don’t believe the situation was really her fault and she gave a compliant confession, but she didn’t handle the aftermath perfectly, either. Pay the guy already.

  4. SnarkySnarkers says:

    Emotionless? Her voice gets really shaky, you can tell shes fighting back crying/tears. I think at this point shes probably pissed off. If shes innocent, I do not blame her at all for feeling that way. Shes such an enigma to me though. I honestly have no idea what to make out of the whole situation.

    • mollie says:

      This exactly! How on earth is she supposed to feel, if she is innocent? If she is innocent, she must feel resentment, turmoil, fear, all of it.

    • RememberThe'80s says:

      I saw an effort to control herself from crying and visible trembling. That’s no ice princess routine. I can’t imagine being in her situation and after everything I’ve read about this case, I don’t think she’s guilty. But ice princess…..no. Trying not to break down under tremendous pressure….yes.

      • Sayrah says:

        Exactly, in my opinion someone once called her detached and now people want to look for her to be detached and cold in every appearance even when it’s not there. Do you know how hallmark became the best greeting card? Branding and saying they were the best.

      • Marx says:

        It’s from a lifetime of having to feign emotion, notice how she doesn’t shed a tear, and is always able to “compose” herself, this is called acting, she stops short of the emotion because she cannot follow through on it, so she pauses, quivers her voice a little, swallows, closes her eyes a little and voila people think she’s suppressing emotion. You can only suppress so much, especially when you should be expressing your innocence in a high pressure situation, like gma, but she’s cool as a cucumber. She’s not traumatized, she’s having a blast enjoying her freedom. And you cannot discard what the prison guard said based on him being a prison guard, he knows how people behave in prison. And no matter how stoic they are in the day time, people break down And let emotion out at night or in other ways.
        Amanda had a rep for not losing sleep in prison, which is strange behavior for a reasonable person in her situation. According to her warden, most people asked for sleeping pills:
        http://www.sharonfeinstein.co.uk/main/interviews/Amanda_Knox.php

  5. mollie says:

    She spent hard time in an Italian jail where she had to contend with possible assault and mistreatment, fear of spending her life there, I imagine that building a tough shell would be a reasonable thing to do to survive.
    I also think that while she probably feels terrible about Meredith’s loss of life, if she is innocent, she must also look at it with some intense anger…her OWN life has been turned upside down because of Rudy Guede. Why should she show remorse for something she did not do? I have read countless articles, countless pieces of evidence from both sides, and I do not think she did it. I think she was a spoiled girl, probably not likeable to begin with, who was thrust into a horrible situation and is now traumatized and even more unlikeable as a result.

    • Juliette says:

      Yes, and who can really say they know what is like to be in those shoes? Nobody.

      Especially not creepy lurking prison guards projecting their fantasies onto their prisoners.

    • respect says:

      oh please…i live in italy and can say with some certainty that italian prisons and sentences are preferable to the american counterparts. if she had told the truth instead of accusing an innocent man she might be more believable. police in my town just solved a 25 year old cold case…they are not keystone cops.

      • laura says:

        I agree with you! she is a cold blooded killer who uses the medias and the press. And whine she is innocent when a true innocent victim died in horrible circumstances but she seldom mentions her!

      • mollie says:

        looks like you have some more reading to do about her accusation. She was clearly led to it.

      • mollie says:

        Congratulations to the police in your town for solving whatever cold case you are talking about. Sorry, I do feel that there were outrageous mistakes and inappropriate handling of the evidence in the Kercher case, the case we are discussing.

      • Jessiebes says:

        @ mollie, maybe Laura did do her research but just came to a different conclusion than you.

      • msw says:

        Saul Kassin – compliant cofessions. Those who are interested in learning about the psychology behind confessions under duress, google it.

      • Jessiebes says:

        Well that’s why in Europe there are strict rules concerning interrogation: not too long, no lying to the suspect, not at night time, etc etc. but mostly NEVER rely on a confession. Do the investigation and research.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        There are videos of the police doing completely unprofessional work in many areas of the crime scene. I do not expect that this represents every cop in Italy, but I can’t take anyone seriously if they are defending the police work in this case.

        They have VIDEO of the police taking the bra clasp from the scene, passing it around, putting it back at the scene, picking it back up again.

        They have video of the police swabbing the bathroom, using one swab to gather samples from multiple areas, mixing what they are taking samples of.

        How can a knife be entered at Trial #1 as the murder weapon, presented as if it had the victim’s blood on it, only to be tested by independent experts appointed by the court AFTER the trial. The victim’s blood was not on the knife, and what was originally presented as her blood in trial was found to be RYE BREAD.

      • Jessiebes says:

        That was bad, no argument there. But there was more evidence, a lot of which we didn’t see, which was where the sentence was based on.

        But I think we should respect somebody else’s opinion at least, even if you don’t agree.

        Anyway I don’t care enough to argue further.

      • MourningTheDeathOfMusic says:

        @ laura – I didn’t realize you were at the scene of the crime while it was going down and as such, are able to be absolutely sure of her guilt.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        There was other evidence, but as with the testing of the knife, the prosecution was very selective when chosing what to present and how to present it. I already discussed how they falsely presented rye bread as the victim’s blood, but there are other examples as well, like the “bloody” footprints.

        Luminol lights up at blood, but also for other substances as well. Traditionally, the luminol pinpoints an area to test to see conclusively if it is indeed blood. With this case, they presented footprints as “bloody footprints” even AFTER they had been tested and were shown to NOT be blood. To me, that is a devious way to present evidence. To present evidence as one thing, even after you know from tests that it is not that thing…that is lying to the court about evidence. They lied regarding the “bloody” knife as well.

        Finally…Jessiebes, I don’t see any comments in this thread as an argument, to me it is a discussion of an international criminal case. If you don’t want to be a part of the discussion, that is ok, no pressure.

      • Ellie702 says:

        @respect, So you’re trying to tell us that you have personally been incarcerated in both American & Italian prisons? Not trying to be offensive, just the way you worded your comment with the “certainly”.

  6. Esmom says:

    At this point I have no idea what to think about what really happened but upon reading this my first thought about the way she was described in prison was also “survival mode.” I know it sounds silly to use a film as a comparison but think of Andy in Shawshank Redemption and how keeping his focus almost completely inward was the only way he could get through the days.

    I don’t know what the environment’s like in the prison where she was held but it seems unrealistic of the guard to think she’d want to open up and gab about Kerchner. WTF?

    • msw says:

      Its also possible the guard either a) looked at her behavior through the lens of an Italian and compared her to her experience with other mostly Italian prisoners, who are generally more effusive than Americans, and/or b) she wanted to make a buck. If it is true or not, it still doesn’t make her a killer.

    • sienna says:

      Totally agree, plus it is a bit of a double-edge-sword.

      Had she been teary and emotional the guard would have said it was her guilt coming to the surface.

    • respect says:

      italians are natural gabbers…an italian gaurd does not necessarily trust the stiff upper lip. said with love:)

    • respect says:

      our local womens prison has recently been granted land to create an organic veg coop from which proceeds will go toward betteriing inmates living conditions. inhuman monsters. how did the poor girl survive?

      • Lady D says:

        One of the prisons in the town I grew up in was recently granted $1 million for a floating floor in the gym. The previous one had been destroyed in a riot.

      • msw says:

        Nobody’s arguing that the Italian prisons are a problem from what I’ve seen. God knows the US has a hell of a lot of work to do on our own prisons, and we have a tremendous disagreement on whether or not they are too soft or too restrictive in terms of rehabilitation. Our prisons get contracted out and we have a for profit prison system, even for children–it’s disgusting.

  7. atrain says:

    Or it could just be that she’s not an extremely emotional person. Or she’s in shock. Or she’s depressed. If she truly was the “actress” that some are claiming to be, wouldn’t she act extremely upset every time the cameras are on her?

    • We Are All Made of Stars says:

      Bingo!

    • msw says:

      Knox is only considered “an actress” or manipulative when it is convenient to the killer narrative. Bottom line is, Meredith Kutcher’s murderer was sloppy as hell and a complete moron. If she were such a master manipulator, she wouldn’t be in such hot water right now. Obviously, she is a sucky actress/manipulator because she has not endeared herself to the masses.

    • Pomegranate says:

      There was some talk at one point that she might have Aspergers Syndrome, which might explain some of her reactions. If you want to see emotionless, watch the interview that they did with Karla Homolka when she got out. Truly chilling.

  8. Aims says:

    If I received a letter from a women who was twice convicted of murdering my daughter I wouldn’t take kindly to it. The case has been messed up so badly that it’s to the point of being absurd. As for Amanda, I get the feeling that she has either shut down or she’s cold hearted. If I was her I’d shut my mouth and quit playing the victim card. She doesn’t come across well and isn’t wining any fans.

  9. Juliette says:

    Its so creepy that the Italians allow everyone involved with the Knox case to speak about it publicly. This guard was intimately involved with a prisoner, clearly watching her intensely, and now he’s allowed to report on her to the media? Same goes with the prosecutor, same with the judges, its sick how public the “professionals” involved with the trial have been.

    Rudy Guede killed Meredith Kercher. His DNA was all over her, he claimed to be her boyfriend, but was not. He had no reason to be in the apartment. He was a rapist and a murderer. He acted alone.

    • Jackson says:

      You pretty much summed up how I feel about this whole thing. Complete mess.

    • mollie says:

      Yes.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I agree completely. Rudy played basketball with Meredith’s boyfriend, who lived in the flat below Meredith. Meredith had met Rudy before through her boyfriend. Rudy’s hand print was in her purse (her money was stolen) and it was also underneith her body.

  10. lunchcoma says:

    Or maybe she’s just not a particularly warm, emotional person? We have a lot of cultural narratives about what women’s personalities are supposed to be like, and it ends up not leaving a lot of room for individual variation. The fact that someone isn’t very warm doesn’t mean she’s a murderer.

  11. blue marie says:

    I don’t even know anymore.

  12. Jacqueline says:

    Who knows if any of what the guard is saying is true, but as an innocent person I know I’d have sat in that cell every day and done nothing but met with lawyers and cried my eyes out. Heck, I’d probably sit there and cry even if I was guilty out of regret and remorse about where my life went so wrong. She is completely justified in being an unemotional person, but I also see that as a characteristic of a person who is capable of killing – detached.

    • sienna says:

      Just because she didn’t act like you would, doesn’t make her guilty.

      People who feel uncomfortable outwardly showing their feelings, or as you put it “detached”, are capable of killing? That’s a big stretch.

    • msw says:

      Oh lord. Let’s start from this point:
      DETACHMENT IS A SURVIVAL SKILL.

      Second, not crying in front of people means she was detached and never cried at all? That’s a big assumption. A lot of people, especially Americans, keep stuff bottled up until they are alone. That’s not a very fair assumption.

      If everyone were as emotionally functional as we expected Knox to be in this case, there would be a lot fewer people struggling with depression or going to therapy to learn better coping skills.

      • mollie says:

        It drives me bananas that people cannot seem to grasp this.

      • I Choose Me says:

        Exactly! I’ve never been accused or tried for murder so I don’t know how I would react in that situation but I do know that I’m often pegged as reserved and aloof by those who don’t know me. You’re just not going to see a lot of emotion from me until I know you a whole lot better.

        I can’t imagine the stress Knox must be under and the idea that a person’s guilt or innocence can be decided (in the court of public opinion) by how likable a person does or does not come across is baffling and kinda scary to me.

  13. L says:

    Another update is that the case might get thrown out because the judge gave a interview to Italian media (which they aren’t allowed to do until it goes through the Supreme Court appeal) The judge claimed if Rafelle had testified against Knox that he would have been more lenient on him. The judge also talked about they were swayed by media reports and television, and not you know..the evidence in front of them.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/02/amanda-knox-judge-raffaele-sollecito-lawyers-remarks
    What a disaster.

    • mollie says:

      Wow! It just gets more bizarre.

    • Anna says:

      So are they just going to throw out this trial and star over AGAIN, like they did last time? How many times are they allowed to mess up? Is there some kind of “3 strikes” rule to go with the “3 trials” process? So many questions…

      And does the city have a special budget set aside to blow on this particular case or something?

      Wash, rinse, repeat…

    • Diana says:

      What a mess! And people still try to defend the way this case has been processed by the so called “profesionals”.

  14. Connie says:

    It seems a little unfair to assume she’s a murderer just because she doesn’t behave the way a person is expected to behave. It’s like if a person doesn’t smile enough he/she must be depressed. I think spending years in jail can screw up a person.

  15. laura says:

    she is TRULY emotionless and creepy (classical trait for killer)….why so many people tried to defend her when evidences found at the crime scene speaks louder.
    You have in front of you a typical emotionless killer and yet everyone tries to find excuses and way not to see the obvious!

    • Vanity says:

      What’s obvious is that Rudy killed Meredith. That’s what the actual evidence points to. He is in jail where he belongs.

      • Jessica says:

        what’s also obvious is that Amanda and her ex boyfriend were at the scene. read all the evidence and you can see that.

        Amanda knew things about the murder that someone who was not there would not know.

      • msw says:

        Like what? Sources, please.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        Jessica, there is no physical evidence that ties Amanda to the scene of the murder (in the bedroom), the murder weapon, etc.

    • emma says:

      Agree, Laura. Creepy cold-blooded killer. GUILTY.

  16. Lydia says:

    She spent 4 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. I feel very sorry for her.

    • ana says:

      she wasn’t in jail for murder, she was in jail for accusing an innocent man (her former boss) of killing Meredith. And in that case there was no mistake to put her in prison.

  17. TheOriginalWaffle says:

    So, according to Italian jailers, Knox must put a daily performance of her feelings out, or she must be guilty.

    If I had time to draw this out, I would make an argument about gender norms in Italy and assumptions about women’s “emotions.”

  18. Kaboom says:

    That case has been bungled so badly by the Italian police and justice system that no satisfying result can be reached. At that point the state has an obligation to rather let someone potentially guilty go than further drag along an innocent person.

  19. Syd says:

    She strikes me as psychopathic and her crimes strike me as sadistic.

    Remember, Meredith was stabbed 40 times.

    The argument that the man convicted is wholly responsible does not wash with forensic evidence. The lack of self-defense knife wounds on the part of Meredith show us that Meredith Kercher was restrained by two others, while the third of them butchered her in cold blood.

    • msw says:

      She wasn’t stabbed 40 times. She had about 40 MARKS–including scratches, bruises, and wounds. It was a terrible crime, though, and the killer was obviously sadistic and she suffered greatly, that much is for sure.

      If she had been choked first, she could have easily been weakened to the point where she was unable to defend herself, it doesn’t mean that there were multiple attackers, despite the prosecution’s claim. In the other thread, I wrote a long comment about why the two-or-more murderers theory doesn’t wash.

      And finally, a person looking “psychopathic” to you doesn’t make someone a murderer.

      • Shan1983 says:

        I like that you mentioned “looking like a psychopath” because, typically, before they are known to be “psychopaths” they are usually described as normal, a little quiet but friendly, etc.

      • msw says:

        Precisely. I am actually very good at eyeballing psychosis because it’s my job, but you can’t go based on your gut. My gut only tells me to investigate further.

        Antisocial behavior is an entirely different set of behavior from psychosis. People with antisocial personality disorder (or as people like to call it, sociopathy) are often very charming people. It’s part of their adaptation to the world around them. They are usually very skilled manipulators. Amanda’s clearly not, or she would be a lot more popular. It baffles me people think she is, because the same people are accusing her of being emotionless. Emotionless does not usually go with manipulative.

    • Faith says:

      I think she is guilty my dad followed this case so I loosely followed it with him the thing that stuck me was she has never kept a solid story all the way through the trails the truth only has one story. Also the fact her mother never hired a lawyer she hired a pr firm first if you thought your daughter was innocent why would you have to hire a pr firm? And her behaviour pre murder seems to have been narcissistic she also admitted on her own blog to the rumor that her and a few friends “faked a burglury” to scare someone which sounded similar to this case. Do I think she meant to killer no she might not of even killed her, herself but she was probably involved. The circumstantial evidence points to her being there.

  20. Tig says:

    I think the question posed in the article is- are her interviews doing her any favors? And I agree with the conclusion stated- no. At this point, she has to be fairly confident that her chances of being extradited are nil to none. So the point of this PR(or lack of a better word) is what exactly? It just seems to be inflaming the situation. I am not suggesting she can make it go away by her actions, but she’s not helping her cause.

  21. dizzylucy says:

    I don’t remember enough about the details to have an opinion on her guilt or innocence. However, I did a semester abroad in Italy in college, so imagining my own experience and then thinking, if my roommate were brutally murdered, I was accused, and spent 4 years in a foreign jail, I’d be shut down too.

  22. Greata says:

    I agree that she does seem tramautized. At this point, I do not know if she is innocent or not. What I do know is that the Italians handling of this case was and continues to be sloppy , and amateurish, and now bears the stench of a witchhunt in order to save face.

  23. Maggie says:

    I think it’s imperative to remember that Kercher’s dad is a tabloid writer and is best friends with the prosecutor’s good friend. That alone depletes any credibility the Kerchner’s far reaching narrative has.

  24. Dawn says:

    I don’t know either. There is just something about her that to me doesn’t ring true. I feel so bad for the murdered girl’s family because they are the ones who have yet to find justice. And I think they know more right now then I do. I think she is cold and calculating and as others have said that doesn’t make her guilty but . I doubt we will ever know the truth.

  25. Anon says:

    A flat affect is a classic symptom of PTSD, which she probably has.

    • msw says:

      Some people just have flat affects, too. I do, naturally. I had to learn to exaggerate everything in my voice and my face to look like i wasn’t completely detached. It doesn’t help that blue eyes look vacant and emotionless to a lot of people, apparently. I was older than Knox is now before I figured out a flat affect was making me look “cold” to others and I learned to make my affect more emotional with graduate school peer review and videotaping. It was a skill I had to learn to be good at my job, but it’s hard work, and if I’m really tired, it’s still difficult to put on the “right” face and voice for other people.

      • Diana says:

        Msw, that must be really difficult. To have to be aware of your every gesture so you don’t come across as cold or heartless must be really trying. I’m really sorry and hope it gets better for you and everyone who is the same.

      • msw says:

        Thanks, it was difficult and frustrating but it explained so much after I learned what was causing others to perceive me that way. Now it’s like second nature… I definitely have my “work face/voice” and my “home face/voice”, though 🙂 It’s kind of like taking off your suit at the end of the day. But I’m glad I learned the skill, it’s made life and work easier.

        I think Knox is probably like me that way. Some people just don’t show their thoughts or emotions. I was told often that I was “stoic” and “unreadable.” If someone thought I had done something cruel, they would probably see what they see in Amanda. It doesn’t mean it is there.

  26. Tiffany :) says:

    There is a BIG typo in the part from Radar online…

    “Kercher, who had returned to her home in Seattle did not go back to Italy for the trial, …”

  27. Megan says:

    There is something really fishy about the entire thing. I don’t think I believe she is innocent but I also think the prosecution of this has been less then honest upfront.

    Entire thing is fishy and I don’t know what to believe. But Italy comes off bad and frankly she comes off as guilty but feels like she is above the law in interviews.

  28. Jessiebes says:

    I don’t know if she is guilty or not. LIke a lot of you I have been reading up on this case, but we haven’t seen all of the evidence as presented to the judges and jury, just what was given to us through the press.

    Anyway I find it unfair to dismiss the Italian justice system. No it’s not perfect and mistakes are made, just like in any justice system in any county. The US justice system isn’t perfect either, for example the George Zimmerman case. Again didn’t see all the evidence, wasn’t in the jury, but that outcome seemed wrong to me.

    • msw says:

      The courtroom documents are live blogging from the courtroom are available. Check out True Jusice or Amanda’s website. Both sites are biased, so read the evidence and arguments for yourself instead of relying on their analyses. You are wise to question the media on both sides.

      The True Justice website is actually what convinced me she wasn’t involved. They posted the arguments from the prosecution and i found them lacking or nonsensical.

      • Ren says:

        msw, you seem to have already made up your mind about Knox’s innocence despite evidence of her being there when it happened. Did she kill her roommate, i don’t know but she was involved in some kind of way. The Italian court bungled the case. Murder is hard to disprove. Knox isn’t so innocent.

        Oh and, just because she’s not charismatic and seemingly manipulative doesn’t disqualify her from being a psychopath. You should know this since you’ve mentioned earlier how its part of your job to identify personality disorders.
        Perhaps, you’ve been unknowingly taken for a ride by the “traumatized” Knox.

        Some of the ladies here are letting their emotions rule instead of logic. Read from both sides please. I get the feeling some you all are just saying she’s innocent because she is female, and especially how some of you are saying how Italy has a madonna/whore complex etc. Amanda is a cold blooded person and i wouldn’t be surprised if she watched (cheered) as the the boyfriend and neighbor murdered the roommate. She was involved but the italians screwed up the case big time.

      • msw says:

        Did i say she could not be a psychopath? No I did not, I said she is a poor manipulator, but I don’t go around diagnosing people I don’t work with professionally. I actually said upthread I have no opinion of hr behavioral health issues, if any, because I don’t know her, I am not her psychologist and I HAVE NEVER WATCHED A KNOX INTERVIEW. What I do know, as a person who is highly educated in human behavior and uses that knowledge on a daily basis, is individuals do not always act in predictible ways, and that is what the prosecution is basing much of their case on. I also know a person will often detach to avoid confrontation of stress. I know it is possible for a person to give a compliant confession. I know it is possible to have temporary amnesia in times of stress. I know you cannot rely on appearances when determining if a person is “unfeeling.” That’s not knowledge I got from Amanda, I know those things because having a deep understanding of human behavior is my area of expertise and I am very skilled at my job. Thatis not looking at the situation emotionally because I have already made up my mind–that is applying expertise of human behavior and looking at the available evidence which is reasonably valid.

        I believe she is innocent of the murder as the evidence does not support it. I never said she 100% for sure knew absolutely nothing or didn’t have any relationship with Guede. I said there is nothibg to support it. Until I see something convincing me it is more likely than merely plausible, I will consider if she is guilty of something else (such as knowing more than she is tellin, or letting Guede into the home).

  29. Zwella Ingrid says:

    I don’t doubt the prison guard’s comments could be true. In the times I have seen her interacting, she strikes me as the type of person who could be capable of that kind of behavior, and her behavior as recorded by people who have observed her through this whole time period corroborates that. However, whether or not this is a correct assessment of her behavior, it does not speak to her guilt or innocence.

  30. homegrrrrl says:

    I’m sorry Italy, but you traumatized me too. Misogyny and discombobulation ooze out of the pores in the heavy atmosphere. Even in this modern era, the culture is rife with suspicion, the madonna/whore complex, and superstition all rolled up into catholicism. I realize that with this is also Art, history and mind blowing cuisine, but having been there several times, it makes sense the legal/political system would punish an American woman accused of a crime.

    • Lea says:

      What do you mean?

      • Anna says:

        I would agree with homegrrrl. Sorry for the Italians, but the social espectrum is full of misogyny, especially when you’re heard the ex PM Berlusconi – “In our party we have the hottest women”.

  31. sapphoandgrits says:

    Anyone who still thinks Amanda and Raffaele are guilty are either uniformed, have only gotten their information from biased sources, or have a vendetta against Knox.

    Knox is also far from unemotional.

    A good US equivalent is the West Memphis Three case. Zero evidence, just blindered law enforcement and DAs, faked or nonexistent evidence, media lies and bias, and defendants seen as unsympathetic.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      It does remind me of the West Memphis Three. They are using the film noir idea of “a femme fetale leads her men to the dark side” in place of the “heavy metal fans must like the devil” theory.

    • Jessica says:

      Sorry, I’ve read ALL about this case and she is guilty.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        Jessica, how can you believe in the prosecution’s case at all when they have repeatedly presented evidence in an untruthful manner? The knife they say had Meredith’s blood on it was tested by court experts AFTER it was presented at trial. It didn’t have Meredith’s blood on it at all, it was rye bread. There is video of the police contaminating their most damning evidence (foot prints, blood samples, bra clasp, knife). What makes you believe them?

      • msw says:

        The investigators also lied, and continue to lie, about the exemplary job they did on the crime scene. The synopsis of the first trial completely excludes the videotaping of the crime scene, which clearly shows the evidence getting mishandled in a way sure to contaminate it. The investigator even went so far as to say they did a wonderful job and met all the international standards for evidence collection. They did detail how they got the rye bread DNA knife while wearing all the proper gear to prevent contamination, so it’s an obvious omission. They were sticking to their story of immaculate evidence collection in this most recent trial, too, despite the public knowledge of the videotape. It’s amazing. I don’t trust a single word they say. So many lies.

        I’m not saying Amanda and Rafaelle didn’t lie, too, because I don’t know everything–but there is proof the prosecution has lied and hid evidence, and the burden of proof is on them.

    • mayamaely says:

      It also reminds me of David Dowaliby, convicted of murdering his daughter in 1990, using extremely sketchy evidence and his “not acting right”. Conviction overturned in 1991. The case occurred in Midlothian, Illinois if anyone is interested in reading on the case. Also can find the case on Injustice Anywhere. EVERONE thought the guy was guilty back then.

  32. sapphoandgrits says:

    Also, she was sexually harassed and assaulted by a guard during her imprisonment (I did not say rape), and after she made that public, ITALIAN women who had been prisoners there said he had also harassed and groped them.

    I have relatives who are correctional officers, and trust me, they have nothing but contempt for every prisoner. They loathe them, and think every single one is guilty and a liar.

    Also, as others have stated, Knox isn’t European, let alone Italian. She was a young American girl who knew nothing but tourist Italian when she was incarcerated, and was kept in solitary confinement for a very long time, even though that was illegal in her case.

  33. Val says:

    http://grahamwphillips.com/2013/10/16/amanda-knox-guilty-of-what/
    Those arguing Knox is innocent, I suggest you read he article above. It pretty much sums up this whole strange case. Yes, the investigation was really messed up by the Italian police, but she and Sollecito know what truly happened that night and the two of them are in way too deep to say anything at this point. Sadly, the only true victim here is poor Meredith who is barely even mentioned while the media and everyone else cares more about the fate of Knox and Sollecito.

    • Daphne says:

      Thanks Val…this is the story I remember before the American PR of “white-washing” of her character.

    • blue marie says:

      thank you for the link, I had forgotten some of this..

    • Dawn says:

      Thanks Val. I read the site and it did have some eye opening statements. What a great site. I have never thought that she was as innocent as she wanted us all to believe. I feel so sad for Meredith’s family and what they have had to endure.

    • jane16 says:

      I read your link and found it be disturbingly sexist with disgusting details (like, she has a vibrator) or the silly “she went lingerie shopping after the murder” (like any woman that is denied access to her home and her clothing wouldn’t go buy some underwear and a few things to get by). Here’s another article that gives another perspective on this case from a man who had to deal with the same prosecutor. I hope you will look at it.

      http://blog.seattlepi.com/dempsey/2008/02/08/crime-novelist-doug-preston-on-meredith-kerchers-murder/

  34. teehee says:

    I think she has a right to be angry, and she also knows that every thing she says or does will be torn to shreds regardless, so why give anyone the favor? She is screwed, royally. Her whole life is down the drain. I don’t think she needs to be causing a scene … because really, what good will it do? How many would just say “shes lying”, anyway? I’d be pretty brazen and stiff myself, I think actually I would be talking exactly like her. Cos really, anything I said would make it worse.

  35. renata says:

    In many ways I feel bad for this girl. No one but the people that were there when the crime occurred will ever fully know what happened. If she didn’t do it, her life is ruined. If she did do it, her life is ruined. There’s no possibility of a win as far as the eye can see.

    I never followed this case very much at all, and so to some degree I’m looking at this interview with fairly fresh eyes. That said, I don’t feel I’m watching someone in the video clip that’s putting on a show; she seems pretty undone, unnerved. It seems genuine. What she says about prosecutors has also often become a sad, sad truth. It’s about winning nowadays, not about justice. Some of the people that safeguard the laws go much farther than they should, and do so just because they can. That’s not to say I believe her to be innocent. Like I said earlier, we’ll never really know.

    As far as the statements of a prison guard, I would be wary for a number of reasons. Given who he works for, he’s in a safer position saying things that support the prosecutors, not go against them. Also, was he paid for the interview? That could easily affect what he is saying. These guards don’t earn a fortune, and may be influenced by a buck. Last, who is he and what is his background that makes it a given we should trust his observations about people and what makes them tick? Knox was there coming from a completely different culture- – of course she acts differently than others. Frankly, when I consider these concerns I tend to think the whole guard business should not be relied upon one bit.

    • sa says:

      renata I completely agree. I’ve also never watched an interview with her before, but this interview did not come across as a performance to me. I also don’t find her cold or unemotional in it. It struck me as a girl who was trying to hold it together and just barely succeeding.

  36. Mrs.Krabapple says:

    I don’t think there was enough evidence to convict her, by American standards anyway. I am not convinced that she knew nothing about the murder, however, and I suspect she knew something about it or was involved in some way, even if it was just covering up for her boyfriend. Again, I don’t think she would have been convicted in America.

    But the reason I have little sympathy for her is because she falsely accused her employer (a black male) of murdering the roommate. He won a lawsuit against her because of that. So, now that SHE is the one being falsely accused (or so she says), we should feel sympathy for her? Where was her sympathy for the man she falsely accused, when he could have faced life in prison because of her lies? Even if she is completely innocent, so was the man she lied about. Sometimes Karma can bite you in the @ss.

  37. horizonte says:

    I’ve been following this case with some great commentary on “eyes for lies” (great blog, I think Kaiser had given it a shout out during the previous coverage). Anyways, I agree with most of what is being said there. .. I’m always amazed at how little emotion her eyes convey. In this video, her voice trembles but ger eyes don’t accompany it, eyebrows would furrow or be higher towards the nose, classical “sad” face. She’s fascinating.

    • Kellie says:

      After the last post about her, I did a bunch of internet reading. I honestly don’t know what to think. I feel like she is guilty of SOMETHING, but I don’t think it was stabbing Merideth.
      And that’s what the trial was for. Murder.
      Do I think she is shady as shit and covering something up -you bet I do.
      There is not one bit of evidence to say Knox did the stabbing.
      Doubt yes, but that doesn’t make a conviction possible.

      • Val says:

        I agree…She probably did not stab her but participated in the murder in some way.

      • Kellie says:

        Yes, apparently the guy who stabbed Merideth was Knoxs’ drug dealer, and a low level criminal that she brought into their shared house.
        That she is for sure guilty of, but other than that, nothing they can pin on her.

        I doubt the whole story will ever come out.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        Kellie, that is not true (about Rudy Guede being Knox’s drug dealer). Rudy played basketball with Meredith’s boyfriend and his roommates, who lived in the downstairs flat. Meredith had met him when he was at her boyfriend’s flat.

      • msw says:

        To further clarify Tiffany’s statement, there is nothing indicating they were friends, but were barely acquainted by some common relationships. I don’t know if that’s necessarily true, but there is certainly no evidence they were even in the same room together more than once or twice. All claims to the contrary are pure speculation and conjecture.

  38. Khm says:

    We shouldn’t be so quick to judge her. She was a young, naive college student that went to Italy for an exchange program. It was probably her first time away from home and she was there for only a few weeks when all of this happened. She was probably excited about her newfound freedom in such a seemingly amazing place. Meredith had been her roommate for less than a month and all reports state that Knox spent most of her time either at work, school, or with her new boyfriend. There is nothing in her past that would suggest that she is capable of murdering another young woman in such a gruesome fashion after knowing her for less than a month.

    I do wonder if she has Aspergers or some other high functioning form of autism. Her reactions when the police came to investigate the scene were odd, but not if you think of her as someone that may have challenges with social situations. Add to that challenge the language barrier and the cultural differences along with her youth and relative little life experience.

    The next thing she knows she is being accused by Italian authorities of this horribly violent crime. I’m sure the authorities accused her and Sollecito of all kinds of horrible things. Things that would really upset and confound someone with Aspergers. She may not have been able to process all of what they accused her of. Next thing you know she has been convicted of murdering a woman she barely knew and is spending the rest of her life in an Italian prison.

    I say all of this as a woman that probably has Aspergers and while I do well in social situations, I know that others really struggle. Also, until you have been interrogated by a foreign police force, you have no idea how you will react. Particularly if you are a scared, naive young woman who just found a murdered roommate in your apartment.

    • reba says:

      THIS, oh, this !!
      I feel so badly for that poor girl.
      As one who has a neurological ‘difference’ my actions are constantly misinterpreted by others. Also I lived in Europe most of the 70’s. So I totally feel for her.
      Cultural difference plus neurological difference plus general anti-American European sentiment… = disaster for Amanda.

  39. Nicole S says:

    I’ve got all of the books related to the Amanda Knox case on my TBR pile, but I DID just read Douglas Preston’s The Monster of Florence. It’s about his true experiences trying to investigate the series of murders attributed to the Monster. The book, and what it uncovers about the Italian judicial system, completely changed my view on this case. I wouldn’t believe a word that guard has to say.

    • Suzy from Ontario says:

      Ditto! The fact that Douglas Preston was thrown in jail by the same prosecutor and accused of all kinds of bizarre things, made me look more closely at the actual evidence. It’s easy for the prosecutor to blurt on bizarre satanic sex orgy conspiracies to the media, who latch on due to the salaciousness of the claims, but where is the actual evidence to support those scenarios? There is none. The prosecutor has been under investigation for abuse of power and accusing people of ridiculous and bizarre things in the past. Problem is that people read a theory from a prosecutor and think where there’s smoke there must be fire and next thing you know the satanic sex orgy happened and you can’t convince people otherwise. They don’t understand that a delusional prosecutor can throw our scenarios without any facts to support them to the media. Just because he brings up some wild theory from his imagination doesn’t mean it ever happened!

      Plus, Amanda and Meredith were not close friends. They barely knew each other. They were put together as roommates. Just how emotional should she be after all these years of trying to convince people in the face of being told that she must be the killer because she has cold, dead eyes or whatever. People think they can judge a monster by the way they look. Well, people thought Ted Bundy was a great guy and Gary Ridgeway looked like Joe Blow next door. So please, enough with the dead eyes so you know she’s a killer cr*p. Instead of buying into salacious gossip (“she smells like sex” etc.) try reading the actual facts and if you are sure she is the killer, then point me to the evidence that supports that claim.

      I think she was young, self-absorbed, and naive. She was in a country where she was still learning the language. She was accused of a crime, interrogated with physical violence and told lies about what evidence they had. Yeah, she probably covered up stuff about smoking pot and having sex with her boyfriend at first because she didn’t want her parents to know or whatever, but killing her roommate in some perverted sex game? Really? There’s no evidence that I can see that she did that. Did she not notice things she should have? Yes. But she was self-absorbed, interested in her own life and not that close to her roommate, so she probably just shrugged off stuff that maybe a more mature person might not have. Innocent people do get accused and convicted, yet some people never seem able to believe that happens. Even when evidence exonerates a person you see some people who still insist they must’ve had something to do with it.

  40. Minervakate says:

    Hello January Jones look-a-like…. Ice Queen January could play this in a role amazingly, right?

    • Irishserra says:

      That’s a very good comparison.

      You know what? My mother looks very much like an older version of January Jones and she has always come across as a cold uncaring person to outsiders. She’s never been terribly affectionate, and when she’s incredibly stressed she tends to shut off all outward appearance of emotion and keep everything in. It’s the German in her, I’ve been told. And it’s not uncommon. Anyway, my point is that I think too much importance is placed on behavior in the aftermath of events, and not enough on hard evidence. The prison guard’s words can be very damaging, especially if she is indeed innocent of the crime.

  41. The Voice says:

    If you were innocent of a crime wouldn’t you use every opportunity to voice your innocence? She’s given time to say something at the end of this interview and she wants us to look at how things could’ve gone wrong. I would’ve said, I’m innocent. Someone else had already been convicted of her murder – he even confessed to it. It must be hard for Meredith’s family but why keep looking when you’ve already found the murderer?

  42. Irishserra says:

    As an aside, I never really got the “Foxy Knoxy” label or the claim that she was beautiful… Until this interview. I love her hair and this is the first time I’ve ever looked at her and thought she looked beautiful.

    I know that is an absolutely unimportant and meaningless observation amidst so much tragedy, but this is after all a gossip site and I am just exercising my right to do so. 🙂

  43. TOPgirl says:

    Can’t feel guilty and emotional over a crime you never committed. I know I wouldn’t, as a matter of fact, she didn’t need to be emotional because she was preparing her emotions to battle for her freedom and innocence.

    • Irishserra says:

      Also, basing someone’s credibility on their display of emotions is worthless both ways. How many cold-hearted sociopaths out there have committed heinous crimes for which there is ample physical evidence, and yet they will hysterically cry and carry on while proclaiming their innocence? It happens all the time.

  44. Rebecca says:

    A lot of people get convicted based on what they say to guards and other prisoners. The prisoners are offered more lenient sentences for their testimony. I say she is one intelligent woman for not having anything to do or say to the guards or other prisoners. She did what her lawyers told her to do.

  45. Lemon says:

    Interesting that the majority opinion on CB seems to be that Amanda Knox is definitely innocent and Woody Allen is definitely guilty, even though there is not enough evidence to support such a strong assertion in either case. Definitely some gender bias at play.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I think throwing accusations of gender bias is a pretty bold thing to do. I don’t agree with your accusation at all in regards to Amanda’s case.

      In Amanda Knox’s case, there is a lot of information available about the evidence that was presented in the court, there are videos of the evidence collection, for example. As Amanda’s case has been through the court system multiple times, there is actually quite a lot of information available for people to come to a general conclusion. The facts swayed me, not her gender.

  46. Lea says:

    I can’t believe there are people talking about anti-American feelings in Italy… are you serious?
    btw interviews are a big disservice to her,we’ll see what will happen when the trial arrives to the Supreme Court.

  47. MAC says:

    She is not doing herself any favors by giving interviews, even if statements through a lawyer. I have no idea what she did or did not do but the interviews will be publicly dissected and every quack will than talk to Radar and report their findings.

  48. Lisa says:

    I really wish I knew more about this case from a non-American media source. I don’t think their justice system is anymore ass backward than most, from what little I know (as a Canadian, but half Italian who has never been!). I don’t get why she’s going back to jail if they already got the man whose DNA and semen were found on and in Meredith Kercher’s body.

  49. RubyGloom says:

    B**** seems cold and unemotional. Guilty!!!! Let’s burn the witch!!!!!
    F*** patriarchy. 🙁

  50. jferber says:

    The defense attorney Allan Dershowitz just said in an interview that there was plenty of evidence against her and only her own highly expensive PR team convinced Americans that there was not a shred of real evidence against her. And people’s strange behavior after murders has absolutely always been used against them (unofficially as well as officially). For example, a Texas woman accused of murdering two of her sons sprayed silly string at their funeral because it was one of their birthdays. The police regarded this as abnormal behavior, as in not behaving “right” if you were innocent.She was later convicted. In another case, a wife accused of her killing her husband walked right through his blood on the carpet instead of avoiding it or looking horrified, thus arousing the suspicions of the police.She too was later convicted. I’d say doing cartwheels at a police station before being questioned for your roommate’s brutal murder counts as strange behavior. Didn’t a store owner also testify she bought bleach at his store the morning after the murder? She seems callous because she is one of the murderers. She’s a sociopath who actually doesn’t give a damn what she’s done. She’s been trained to show pity for Meredith’s family. She doesn’t have an ounce of it.

    • Gail says:

      She never did cartwheels. Get your facts straight and then make up your mind. I thought she was guilty too but after reading up on the facts, I changed my mind.

      • dh says:

        She actually was seen doing what they referred to as “gymnastics”. It was a series of movments that qualified the term– she admits to doing yoga and stretching. HMM, I remember Jodi Arias (sp?) also did headstands and stretches.. She did act like a sociopath in many aspects- and had knowledge of the crime scene that she didnt have access to- YOU should read up on the facts before claiming she is innocent. Maybe there isnt enough evidence to convict her, thats true. But her behavior is on spot for a sociopath. Her main concern has NEVER been the sadness and loss of a murdered friend. She was more concered about having pizza the next night than she was over her friends blood tracked all over the floor, in Amandas footprints. How many people would be pissed about eating food from a vending machine on the night your friends body is found, brutally slain? I’m a chubby girl but I know for sure that I couldnt go out for a meal or even eat after knowing my friends throat slit across from my bedroom, after stepping in the blood or seeing it on the rug– I would not be worrying about my snacks. Maybe she didnt kill Merideth, we will probably never know- but one thing is for sure- this girl is not right and its perfectly normal to wonder. I have seen her almost cry in every interview, or get choked up– but never cry. Let me tell you that I would be hysterical crying, throwing up, half crazy if I was about to be imprisoned for a crime I didnt commit.

  51. MyHiddles says:

    I still believe she knows more than she will say.

  52. Angela says:

    Firstly,I will say that using the misoginy argument for Amanda is just self-serving and unfair.As an Italian I agree that Italy has sexism issues as well,but that’s not the case here.I wish you remembered that Raffaele is in the same situation,whether they’re guilty or innocent,he has had to go through all this trial except that he hasn’t had a mediatic campaign backed by Donald Trump.Why can’t you admit that part of your statements about her innocence might be influenced by that?Media has had a pivotal role in the resonance of the case. I’ve read comments about a alleged anti-American attitude,which demonstrates that this case has become more that the murder of poor Meredith Kercher.
    Secondly,she and Raffaele haven’t been processed over and over again; in our judicial system, the trial is divided in three parts, therefore if it had been just one trial like many of you wished,they would be now in prison.
    I really don’t know how many of you can act like you were on the crime scene and have assisted to the trial.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      “Why can’t you admit that part of your statements about her innocence might be influenced by that?Media has had a pivotal role in the resonance of the case.”

      But why can’t you admit that your thoughts could also be influenced by the media?

      The thing that had the biggest impact on my own personal thoughts on the case came from the police themselves…the videos of them destroying and mishandling evidence. Evidence is only as good as the manner in which it is handled. The police’s own actions is the biggest strike against them. Their actions are clear as day in the videos, and there is no excuse for it.

      • msw says:

        Thank you. I’ve been wondering why Americans are the only ones who could be biased by lopsided media coverage. It’s quite the double standard. For all the talk about how so little of the case has been reported on, it seems there are many old ideas that are still hanging around, which indicates either the powers that be aren’t reporting the changes in information, or the public is ignoring it.

        The video alone should have gotten this case thrown out, but they have conveniently forgotten it exists, and continue to insist they did a bang up job collecting the evidence in the most internationally compliant manner. It’s such bullshit, and sweeping that under the rug (along with a number of other prosecution claims that don’t make sense to me, ie the “bloody” footprints that turned out not to be blood, the so called double DNA knife, the plausibility of the murder necessarily having 2 or more people) makes me wonder what else the prosecution is hiding or outright lying about.

        Everyone would do best to skip the media in any country and go straight to the original documents or at the very least, the live tweeting of the courtroom and the synopses of the judge’s decision.

      • dh says:

        with respect- I understand that evidence can be mishandled. But in this case is it realistic to say that all evidence against her was mishandled? Personally, I dont think the evidence is enough to convict her, specifically because it is possible some of the damning evidence was false. But I do not think its logical to say that it was all mishandled. Every speck of her DNA wasnt real? Why did the boyfriend say the knife was tained because he “pricked her (merideth) while they cooked” even though she had never been to his house? How could Amanda know the body was moved from the closet, before that information was released? She was not privy to the crimescene. She was removed from the house and never saw the room. To argue that everything against her is false makes for an unrealistic probability. It is normal for people to debate this, because unlike Merideths other roomates, Amandas behavior and lies (I assume those were false and coerced too? and that all the cops were corrupt?) implicated her in a scott peterson kind of way. I am not saying your opinion is wrong– I am only saying there are considerations on both sides.

      • msw says:

        it would be a lot easier to believe the evidence if they hadn’t obviously cherry picked the evidence to support their theory. They came up with the narrative first, and then six weeks later, went into the cottage to collect when they couldn’t back it up. contaminating the evidence an additional problem that destroyedany shred of credibility it might have had, but it was bad from the start.

        can you please cite the claim. Meredith’s body was moved from the armoire to the floor?I’ve never seen that claim in the court papers, or anything to substantiate the rumor Knox knew more than she should.

  53. Kosmos says:

    She was emotionless, too, just after the death of her roommate. I have always felt that Amanda was definitely guilty. I don’t think she feels the pain of others, and when in a drugged state, she probably had the impetus she needed to kill someone. Afterward, she did cartwheels in a room at the police station, then she and her boyfriend in crime went out to buy sexy lingerie and the like. Doesn’t sound like someone who would be in mourning or shock after the brutal killing of someone who lived with her, right? I do think she has a kind of split personality, but I think she was truly capable of manipulating her boyfriend, and .was the most instrumental of the group in the killing of her roommate, Meredith Kercher.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      Kosmos, those accusations show why gossip is not evidence. She didn’t do “cartwheels”, she was stretching her back after long periods of interrogation. She wasn’t out buying “sexy lingerie” in an inconsiderate way….she was locked out of her house because it had become a crime scene and didn’t have any underwear.

  54. They either need to put her in jail if she’s guilty and if she is innocent she should be compensated by the Italian government for harassment at the highest level

  55. Green Eggs and Ham says:

    I remembered Mrs. Kercher’s face etched with sorrow at the first trial. Her daughter was the victim in this case.

  56. Rossomalpelo says:

    She’s so traumatized that she goes in every talk show promoting herself like a popstar… poor little murderer

  57. Hiddles forever says:

    I have no idea why people think this woman is innocent.
    American or Italian or English, you just need common sense to get to a conclusion.

    I think she didn’t commit the murder, she was probably not even there when it happened.
    But she is involved somehow. Why did she change her version of all single facts many times if she was not involved?
    Whether she is covering up Sollecito or herself, I guess we will never know.

    And I found that all comments discrediting the Kercher family are shameful and disgraceful.
    Last time I checked it was her daughter who was killed, not Knox’s.

  58. Harriet says:

    If she was really traumatised she wouldn’t go on these PR campaigns to make herself look innocent.t fact is, she lied about where she was last night and implicated a completely innocent person.

    America doesn’t want to believe she’s a killer, but it seems pretty obvious that she’s guilty of something.

  59. mytbean says:

    I just watched the interview and I’m so confused as to why people are referring to her as cold. She’s composed, true. But she’s obviously trying to hold her emotions in check for the interview. She tends to lose it just a little at very telling moments – moments that test her.

    I’m with the people who say that she’s over the initial shock of everything and that if she reacted weepy and bereft that I’d feel like it was some kind of act for pitty – that she probably doesn’t feel intense sympathy for the simple fact that she didn’t commit a crime and can only express condolences to the family so much before it’s just not genuine anymore.

    What I saw on her face and heard through her words on the video was anger and frustration. She’s aghast at the entire situation and trying to communicate that rationally instead of emotionally. Right now she’s pissed and confused and recognizes the insensitivity of those who are continuing to ride this thing, dragging both her and the families involved through it all once again.

  60. mytbean says:

    The video of the collection team(s) while they walked all over the crime scene – basically rearranging it and tossing it like a salad – jeez… this is just pathetic.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJiZq3TQh0

  61. Markus says:

    Amanda Knox is a murder suspect and she was convicted for the second time, she should not be treated as a celebrity, like Miley Cyrus.

  62. Lilix40 says:

    Ok, here’s my take on this.

    In college, my professors made sure we took seriously the responsibility that comes with being a journalist. You are going to publish stuff for a very broad audience and, particularly if you work with hard news, the sh*t you write will affect people’s lives.

    However, not many colleagues are aware of that fact, or so it seems. I remember we specifically studied an outrageous case (happened during the 90’s, related to child abuse) of false accusations perpetrated by the media that ruined the lives of those involved. The supposed criminals could not leave their houses for years, ’cause if they did, people would probably harass and kill them – I am serious. The sad thing is that it happens over and over again, every single year.

    In this Amanda case, I believe we have reached a point in which there’s no telling what happened. The mess has already been done. The case has been handled poorly, to put it gently, as a media circus.

    My point is: nowadays, newspapers are more worried about financial return than about credibility. Doubt everything you read. If only people knew how the actual behind the scenes is…

  63. Maum says:

    I can’t get past the fact that there is no physical evidence of Amanda and Raffaelle having been in the room where Meredith was killed but there is plenty of Guede’s (handprints, footprints, hair, DNA etc).
    How could they have been there and removed all evidence of their presence but left Guede’s? There was no sign of any clean up in the room.
    Not to mention the fact that a coroner concluded that the murder could have been committed by just one person.

    CCTV also shows Meredith coming home and Guede near the house but no sign of Amanda or Raffaelle.

    There seems to be no concrete evidence. The knife DNA evidence was discredited in the appeal part of the trial. As far the bra clasp it was only collected weeks later and showed traces of DNA from three unknown people as well as Sollecito.

    This whole scenario of three people who literally met days before joining up to commit a violent and sexually motivated murder just seems so far-fetched.
    I’ve always thought it was more likely that they might have heard something and run off, or been worried about being caught with drugs and not even thought about getting suspected of murder instead.
    Or they were totally innocent and both stuck in a surreal nightmare.

    Having followed the case quite intensively in the UK (where they definitely were NOT ‘pro-Amanda’) I can’t see how they were found guilty at all.

    • dh says:

      The evidence would never get her convicted in America. And the motive IS weak to non existent. But if they had their killer (who I totally believe was Guede) why the rampage on Amanda and her boyfriend? Why not say Hey Italy, we got him! and paint him the villain that he is? As far as one killer.. she had extensive stab wounds- like 48 different wounds, how could he have held her down, and stabbed her, without at least one of her hands free enough to scratch him- or try to defend herself? One on one would allow at least SOME defense wounds. She had marks all over her, full hand print bruises. Restraint palm prints on both inside elbows. Its impossible to restrain someone with 2 hands, while stabbing from 2 different directions. I’m just saying– these are some of the reasons I wonder if someone else did play a role in this crime. Someone comes at me with a knife and I woud at least fight, bite,scratch however I could- this poor girl was literally imobilized as she was stabbed. But still- I do agree that there is not enough evidence/doubtful evidence and poor motive.

      • msw says:

        the multiple killers theory is certainly not proven.she was also choked, which can weaken you to a point where you are unable to defend yourself. the handprints inside her elbows could easily come from the rape. there is no evidence that she was stabbed from two directions–even the prosecution said the knife went in the left side, was retracted and dragged superficially across her throat, and then went in again on the right side. it does not take two killers to do that.

  64. Mrs.Krabapple says:

    I didn’t watch the video. Did she apologize to the innocent man she accused to the police of killing her roommate?

  65. Therese says:

    Killer. The truth will out.