Italy is beginning to sound more and more like Iran...

Is this the inquisition or something? For the bunch of whiners crying over the attack on their judicial systems, they sure do give a lot of fodder.

Is the West Seattle Herald now the Amanda Knox Is Innocent propaganda machine? It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Too bad the Knox/Mellas clan lack the grace, class and dignity that the Kercher family have shown all throughout this tragic story that really is [i]their[/i] sister/daughter's story. I hope that they are soon able to have closure and that justice is truly served. I think that it will be. Once the Knox/Mellas clan accept the fact that their sweet little princess is a three-time liar whohad no qualms about letting an innocent man sit in jail for 2 weeks while his life was ruined by her accusation, not to mention the fact that Edda Mellas knew that he was innocent as well and said nothing either, and why did Amanda and loverboy turn their phones off on the night of the murder? Why didn't either of them attend Meredith's memorial? Weren't yet under arrest,but instead opted to go out for a pizza while the man that Amanda falsely accuse [i]did[/i] attend the memorial. Why was Amanda able to describe to friends the position of Meredith's body [i]before[/i] it was moved to where police found it? Why was there broken glass [i]on top of[/] scattered clothing and other items if the window in Filomena's room was broken before the ransacking? Too many unanswered questions that I'm sure the Knox/Mellas family can explain away. Sure, individual supposed evidence may not look like much when look at alone, but put it together and you have a small mountain. Has anyone actually read Judge Michelli's report? The Italian police have not just blindly accused two people, they have a pretty damn good case and there things you won't be reading in the U.S. media which has long been infiltrated by Amanda's supporters.

Why were Amanda and Raeffle holding a mop and bucket when the postal police had shown up to check on the two phones that they had found? From what I understand, the two weren't expecting that and were described as looking quite embarrassed. Then they both lied about having contacted the police already when in fact they both retreated to Amanda's room to call the police only after the arrival of the postal police. Amanda also lied about not knowing Rudy Guede, when in fact she testified otherwise last June. She might not be a murderer but she is definitely a liar. All three of the accused are.

Her roll? Perhaps you mean cartwheel?

Let the Knox/Mella folks prove their highly unlikely and quite frankly unbelievable claim that Amanda had been abused by the Italian police.

I would like to say throw the book at them and their daughter.

Their daughter has already been proven to be a liar.

How anyone could conclude that Amanda Knox is innocent is beyond me when the trial has not yet concluded.

Who are these QUESTS that seem to know SOOO much??? Where did they get all their information? Are they Americans?? I dought that!!!!! I think she's innocent --I'm from Seattle and nobody here has said anything negative about her--Why would she change from a really nice girl to a killer????? and why couln't her parents stick up for her to the media without getting in trouble with the police??? What kind of law do the Italians go by??? Maybe Americans should boycoit visiting Italy for awhile!!!!!!This whole thing makes me sick to my stomach!!!!!!!

The author seems to lack critical thinking abilities.

Would a person who is not a murderer make false statements to the police? No!

Would an innocent person clean up someone else's murder? No!

Would a innocent person deliver several alibis which all have been dis-proven? No!

Steve Shay,

The verdict is just around the corner and it does not take more than average IQ to predict how the jury is going to vote.

If the most likely outcome is eventually announced are you willing to apologize to your readership for presenting Amanda Knox the way you do and did in the past?

To anyone who believes that Amanda Knox is innocent based of the paid for PR champagne directed by David Marriott, I suggest that you do a google search on "Judge Micheli's Report" .

After reading that report prepared by the judge who had all the information available to him, unlike large parts of the American media, which receives their brief from the hired PR firm whose job it is to help get Amanda Knox freed.

The readers might want to determine what it is that they want.

Do they want justice, meaning that the murderers are jailed, regardless of who they are?

Or do they want a person released from jail even if she might have killed her room mate?

A liar does not a murderer make. Who knows the truth about the police "abuse," if referring to the slap. Fact is, 14 continuous hours of illegal interrogation with no lawyer or translator present is abusive in my book; abusive is the DA's leaking illegally to the press information obtained from that interrogation. Most people still cite that newspaper evidence even if much of it was inaccurate. I have no idea of her guilt or innocence: we can only speak of our interpretation of what we have learned from news sources. For the police to go after her parents for merely repeating what she told them two years ago is persecution: why wait two years, unless you want to terrify the parents only days before the verdict and add more "weight" to the list of wrongs for which Amanda and friends are supposedly guilty.

You're right, Steve, we know the verdict already. But what you say is hear-say, not evidence. It would be better if people based their views on actual established facts, not on personal opinions. We know people have many reasons for making false statements to the police, whether they are guilty or not. Statements are not necessarily evidence of guilt -- we know of many instances of false confession. And just because we all know the verdict that coming down doesn't mean it will be right.

No reasonable person would want a guilty person to go innocent, nor an innocent person, for that matter, to be convicted of a crime he or she did not commit. And it's true that in the American press many think Amanda is being railroaded, while in England many think she is guilty. What do you expect? What parent would not believe their child's claim of innocence? What parent of a victim would not be likely to think the accused is guilty? I accept that. But does it make any sense at all for the DA to argue Amanda killed Meredith after knowing her only for a month because she "hated" her? A person with no history of violence, criminal behavior, or mental illness?? Yes, it's possible, but it is exceptionally unlikely.

The suspected mastermind and suspected murderer Amanda Knox confess to her involvement in the murder of Meredith Kercher after been interviewed for between 2 and 3 hours. That is fact and the 14 hours is a lie!

Who taught Amanda Knox to become a skillful liar?

Amanda Knox was fined by a court of law for the riot she instigated at her student house just before leaving for Perugia!

What about the violent sexual assault stories Amanda Knox published on the Internet?

Would it be possible that the violent sexual assault stories Amanda Knox wrote up are just the precursor of what developed into a real murder of her room mate?

I don't know about you, but I do not believe that the violent sexual assault stories, Amanda Knox published, are merely coincidental.

I expect a guilty verdict and if that will happen then I am satisfied.

Knox will be found guilty because she IS guilty. The Italian justice system is not the backward, flawed joke that her parents publicity machine would have you believe. Their dire financial situation is about to look like a drop in the ocean when they lose this current claim by the Italian police and the massive claim against them by Meredith Kerchers family. If they have enough money for a stamp they might be able to write to evil Knox over her many, many years banged to rights.

Some of these comments are pure EVIL,Shame on you!! I am amazed that several of you absolutely know that Amanda is guilty of this terrible crime!!!! Were you there???? She turned into a monster in such a short amount of time --I wonder what those Italians have in their drinking water???? (

What is evil about someone going to jail for the rest of their life for stabbing someone to death? Forensic evidence will put her behind bars, not the Italians 'drinking water'. #18, are you spectacularly thick or spectacularly naive?

I think most of you, if not all are missing the point of this article. It isn't about Amanda's guilt or innocence. That will be determined in just a few days.

The article is about Amanda's parents and remarks they made that now have them in hot water with the Italian government. It is time for Curt and Edda to go into damage repair mode before it is too late.

Many, many times since September 2008 Curt and Edda have repeated again and again the charge that Amanda was abused blah blah blah. Trouble is they and others who took up the cry exaggerated it further..."beaten" "abused" "refused food and water" BEATEN, for heaven's sake!!! And exaggerating the length of time.

I think the police are going to have an easy time showing this, and how it's all over the net as well as mainstream reporting.

Paul Ciolino, Peter van Sant, Ann Bremner, Doug Preston have all lied. The poor government forensic scientist has been attacked and everyone involved have been accused of lying to just to jail Amanda. Big conspiracy. Not.

It's interesting that Amanda declined to identify the one alleged to have struck her. And with an evil twist of "misspeaking" she testified that the the woman who slapped her lightly on the back of the head was "Trying to make me, er..help me remember."

Edda is quick to point out that they haven't named anyone , so they "can't" be charged with defamation. That sounds very like this has been a calculated cowards' attack on justice.

Honestly, so many lies. It's staggering that they've been to allowed to promote their point of view unchalleneged by any of the journalists in the US (excepting Muedede) And look at this! They've pushed it to the point of provoking criminal charges.

Americans need to wake up to how frequently and thoroughly even "respected" news outlets lie to them.

WOW! What a deep, well thought out, well worded comment there. Idiot.

This whole case is sad for everyone involved. I would not wish this on anyone. Say what you want about Amanda, she put herself in this position by not telling the truth and acting guilty. The rest of her family did nothing to deserve this pain. They are acting in the only way they know how. It is easy to judge others when you are not walking in their shoes.

"It is easy to judge others when you are not walking in their shoes."

Well, what about Edda Mellas knowing that Lumumba is innocent but she did nothing to get him freed.

Did she think that it would be a good idea if he is scarified instead of the real murderer who will receive the verdict soon?

If Amanda Knox did not clean up the murder scene why was she the only person living in that house whose finger prints were not present in her own room?

Actually there were only two fingerprints of Amanda Knox in the whole house, dramatically less finger prints than any other resident left in the house.

One of the two finger prints was in Meredith Kercher's blood. That alone is enough for a guilty verdict.
Then there is the DNA evidence which by itself is also sufficient to convict her.

There is a lot more evidence against Amanda Knox.

If the commenters will take some time to read the actual accounts of the trial in the European and British press, as well as the many actual trial transcripts available (translated into
English already), they will note the following:

Even Amanda Knox's defense does not claim Amanda was abused by the police. Her defense attorneys know she was never interrogated for 14 hours straight - that is a popular misconception with no basis in fact. They know she was treated well, given breaks, given food and drink, allowed time to rest.

The only statement concerning police abuse that has been given in court was by Amanda herself. But she only says that the police called her "stupid liar" several times, and that a female officer hit her on the back of the head once. Amanda also said it did not really hurt her, but mostly startled her. (Video of Amanda's testimony is available online. Even in her own personal testimony, she does not claim police abuse beyond what I have noted above).

Amanda's defense attorneys, as noted, likewise made no claims of police brutality. Since they know none took place, making such a claim would only harm Amanda's defense.

Her attorneys have also REPEATEDLY asked the Friends of Amanda and others to stop posting accusations against the Italian court system and Prosecutor Mignini.

By the way, please remember, there are TWO prosecutors, one of them a woman, Manuela Comodi. Comodi is the one who presented ALL the physical evidence, not Mignini. Comodi was also the one who completed the prosecution presentation).

To continue: Amanda's defense attorneys begged the American misinformation "machine" to stop the knee-jerk pro-Amanda nonsense, because it was HURTING her defense, and making it harder for them to make a case on her behalf.

Last: The evidence and the prosecution case against Amanda Knox and Raphael Sollecito was reviewed by 6 different judges before it was allowed to go to trial. All 6 agreed unanimously there was sufficient hard evidence to bring a case against the two. There is a report of over 100 pages written by the trial judge summarizing their opinion.

When was the last time you heard of 6 judges reviewing an American case? Or of a judge writing a 100 page summary and justification of the decision to bring an accused to trial?

The two defendants have not been on trial for years. They were denied release because of the seriousness of the crime, and the judges (plural) belief that they might harm or kill someone else if released.

Please note: even in America defendants are denied bail, and held in jail until their trial...yet we claim everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

In Italy, presumption of innocence is also paramount. Knox and Sollecito must be proven guilty. They have the best defense lawyers in Italy - a fact noted in numerous articles - lawyers who are highly respected by the best American attorneys.

No railroading is going on. Anyone who takes the time to look up the trial transcripts, judge's summations, defense statements, etc. - the actual record of the trial - will find that the process is exhaustingly thorough. You will read how often the judge cautions the various questioners to be more polite or more considerate of Amanda Knox, that they must always be courteous. You would read how time after time the judge will stop the process to clarify what evidence is and isn't admissible - what questions may and may not be asked.

Anyone who has seen an American criminal trial, where attorney's are often allowed to be antagonistic, to berate or upset a witness, would be somewhat shocked by watching the video of the Amanda Knox trial.

The only raised voices occur during debate of admissibility of evidence. At no time is either the prosecution or the defense allowed to act with hostility toward a witness.

Courtesy is not a characteristic of our American court system. Defendants may be entitled to the presumption of innocence, but they are nonetheless often subjected to cross-examination that treats them as if they are presumed guilty.

I have the greatest respect for the American justice system. It is not perfect, by any means. It fails to administer justice in many cases, as we are all well aware. But in principle, I believe in it.

After spending hours reading the ACTUAL accounts of the Amanda Knox trial - not the news stories that ignore the readily available facts - I have just as much respect for the Italian justice system. It, too, has been known to fail.

But in principle, and in practice, it is every bit as just as our own system...and in this case, far, far more thorough and objective than our own system would most likely be if the crime had occurred in America.

Amanda's parents have slandered and libeled the Italian police. Slander and libel are crimes in the United States also, not just in Italy. They have contradicted their own daughter's detailed, 2-day testimony in court.

Various reporters and writers have slandered and libeled Prosecutor Mignini. The "facts" they have written are lies, and the "proof" they have claimed exists comes from other news articles that, themselves, ignore the recorded facts.

I do believe in freedom of speech. But I have nothing but contempt for those commenters here who are unwilling to look at the readily available, easily findable, actual recorded facts, transcripts, photographs, and documents from the trial itself.

If one's opinions are based on whatever web page or article one happens to come across - without any attempt to determine if the page or article is true - those opinions are worthless, and have no place in an intelligent discussion.

Let's just skip over the obvious worthless comments here, stop encouraging the lazy by arguing with them....and make this an intelligent discussion about the facts of the case.

I'll be happy to provide links to transcripts and the Judges summary if anyone is interested in doing what real journalists and truth-seekers do: relying on primary sources, not secondary gossip.

All best,
cordwainer

Cordwainer claims to be a "real journalist and truth-seeker, and says this:

"The two defendants have not been on trial for years. They were denied release because of the seriousness of the crime, and the judges (plural) belief that they might harm or kill someone else if released."

Cordwanker- Where is your evidence that Amanda and Raffaele are in jail to keep them from harming and killing others? They are in jail for the murder committed Nov. 1, 2007, and that is what is being addressed.

Cordwainer claims this:

"Even Amanda Knox's defense does not claim Amanda was abused by the police. Her defense attorneys know she was never interrogated for 14 hours straight - that is a popular misconception with no basis in fact. They know she was treated well, given breaks, given food and drink, allowed time to rest."

Cordwanker- Amanda's defense has asked the Perugia police for the video tape of her interrogation to put her claim to rest. They promised her defense team a copy in June. Then they said they lost it and were searching for the video tape, and now they say it was never recorded. While we only have her word to go on, her defense has attempted very hard to get video proof to back up her claims of abuse during her interrogation. The prosecution wants the jury and public to believe that because no video exists, abuse never happened, and you are buying into this absurd logic.

And finally, Cordwanker, God forbid if you have a family member accused of murder in Italy I promise you I will, as you put it, spend "hours reading the ACTUAL accounts of your family's trial and I will judge if your family member is guilty or innocent based on MY long hours of research.

Um, there is a period in your headline. Real professional.