Amanda Knox case Study: Trial, Conviction and Acquitted after four years
Amanda Knox an American author, activist, and journalist who almost spent four years in prison and is now released. After the release of her documentary on Netflix, many people around the world exactly want to know what exactly happened with Amanda Knox and why she was convicted and then acquitted after four years and is Amanda Knox really innocent or not? So today we shall explore the Amanda Knox case study in a step by step process starting from her arrest till her release with some most valuable information.
The Amanda Knox case was among one of the most controversial cases in the Italian judicial system. It not only captured the attention of the whole world but also started a debate about the conviction of those who are not guilty. This case was not limited to just an investigation of murder, but it also involved media interference, racial bias, flaws in the legal process and a long struggle to finally be proven innocent. Amanda Knox was wrongly convicted of the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher, and spent four years in prison. Although she was later acquitted of the murder charge, her conviction on the charge of defamation remained.
Murder of Meredith Kercher and initial investigation
In 2007, British student Meredith Kercher who was roommate of Amanda Knox was brutally murdered in the Italian city of Perugia. Amanda was studying in Italy at the time. Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were at the top of the list of suspects in the police investigation.
Arrest and controversial interrogation
During a long run interrogation, Police extracted a controversial confession from Amanda. Then a sudden turn arose in the investigation when Amanda claimed that she was pressured and threatened, and she was so afraid which led her to make false statements. In addition, the quality of forensic evidence was also questioned. Experts objected to blood stains and DNA samples, saying they were not properly preserved.
First Conviction and Sentence in 2009
In 2009, an Italian court convicted Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito of the murder of Meredith Kercher. Amanda was sentenced to 26 years in prison. The verdict sparked international debate, as many believed she was convicted despite a lack of evidence.
Appeal and 2011 Conviction Overturned
In 2011, Amanda Knox case was reviewed by the higher court. The Court found that there was not enough evidence to support the murder charges against her and Raffaele. The court overturned Amanda and Raffaele’s convictions and ordered them to release them. Amanda Knox returned to the US, but the case was not over yet.
2015: Final Acquittal by the Supreme court
Italy’s highest court (Corte Suprema di Cassazione) gave its final verdict on the case in 2015. The court said that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito had committed no crime and completely acquitted them. The verdict put an end to the legal battle, but the case raised serious questions about Italy’s judicial system.
The Slander Case: A Different Legal Battle
Although Amanda Knox was acquitted of the murder charge, she continued to face another charge – that of slander. The case was that during police interrogation, Amanda once accused a local bar owner named Patrick Lumumba. It was later revealed that Lumumba was innocent, and Amanda had wrongly accused him.
Conviction of Slander in 2018
In 2018, an Italian court convicted Amanda Knox of slander. Although she was not sent to jail, she was ordered to pay compensation. This conviction was also controversial because Amanda said that she had made a false allegation under pressure from the police.
Media and public response
The case of Amanda Knox was very popular in the media. Italian and American media presented this case in different ways. Some Italian media tried to give Amanda an “image of the devil”, while the American media showed her as an innocent girl who was wronged by the judicial system.
Racial and gender bias
Some analysts believe that racial and gender bias were also involved in the decisions against Amanda. Being an American woman, she was seen as an “outsider” in Italy, which played a role in creating an atmosphere against her.
The Amanda Knox case highlights the flaws in the judicial process. The case is a perfect example that how media pressure, police haste, and a lack of forensic evidence can ruin an innocent person’s life. Although Amanda eventually got justice, four years of her life were spent in prison. The case also led to calls for reforms in Italy’s legal system, so that no innocent person has to pay such a price in the future. Today, Amanda Knox works as a writer and activist, and continues to raise her voice for judicial reforms.
