Photos by Steve Shay
West Seattle raised Amanda Knox turned July 9, in Capanne Prison, Italy. A benefit was held last night at Showbox SoDo to raise money for her mounting legal fees and expenses, now well over $1 million. Pictured Left- Knox's grandmother, Elizabeth Huff, of Arbor Heights, cuts the cake. Right- Brian DiJulio of the band Brian DiJulio and the Love Jacks performed with Tony Montana, formerly of Great White. DiJulio organized the fundraiser, Like Amanda Knox, he graduated Seattle Prep. CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW.

UPDATE: SLIDESHOW: Amanda Knox Benefit raises $15,395.00 the night before her 24th birthday

By Steve Shay
07/12/2011

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW

JULY 12 Update:

Brownpapertickets is reporting today that $15,395 was raised at the benefit.

Hundreds of supporters, including friends and family of West Seattle-raised Amanda Knox gathered at Seattle’s Showbox SoDo Friday night for a benefit concert, silent auction, and to wish her a happy 24th birthday in absentia. Guests sang "Happy Birthday" and then her grandmother, Elizabeth Huff, who lives in Arbor Heights, blocks from where Knox was raised, cut the cake. This was her fourth birthday spent in jail as she was 20 (late edit) in November, 2007 when she became a suspect and was imprisoned in Capanne Prison in Italy for the murder of her college roommate, Meredith Kercher there.

The sentiment in the room was optimistic. If she wins her appeal she could be home before October, and celebrate her 25th birthday in Seattle.

Over ten thousand dollars were raised toward the end of the night, proceeds going to the Amanda Knox Defense Fund, but a total has not yet been calculated.

Every Saturday morning, Seattle time, Knox is allowed a 10-minute phone call home from prison. According to her aunt Christina Hagge, "We all sat around the phone and sang 'Happy Birthday' to Amanda. She was really happy, and sounded excited to hear about last night's benefit."

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