Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito Go Free, Pronounced Innocent
Posted: Wednesday, October 05, 2011
by Jennifer Stewart
Stepping out of History
I didn’t follow the story of that gruesome murder in Italy when it happened, but I did catch the final moments of the appeal in Perugia, and I’d seen a few news items referring to her as a wild, sinful and licentious woman who drank beer and smoked marijuana. I didn’t think that the vitriol of the accusations was appropriate.
What young person doesn’t drink beer? And whilst I don’t like drugs at all, I’ve never thought marijuana was particularly harmful. It’s certainly not in the same category as smack or heroine or cocaine. It doesn’t seem to lead to violence; if anything, it seems to nuke the adrenal gland and enliven the “giggling” gland.
I didn’t hear any accusations of that sort against Sollecito, but perhaps I just missed them. I got drawn into the case as I heard how the police work was botched unbelievably so that there was actually no real evidence to prove either of these young people participated in the murderer. They of course insisted they were innocent.
Well, after a nail-biting weekend, the judge on Monday pronounced them innocent and they were set free. It was very moving to watch Amanda Knox collapse in floods of tears, hardly able to stand. I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for her in those moments leading up to the judge’s pronouncement. Her face was white and tense.
Imagine being in your 20’s and facing 26 years in an Italian prison. Imagine if you didn’t commit the crime. I’ve always had this kind of naïve idea that I’d be able to tell if somebody was innocent or guilty, but in this case I realized I couldn’t. I watched Amanda Knox, and I couldn’t say for myself that she seemed innocent. There was something about her that I can’t put my finger on.
I’m not saying I thought she was guilty, I just couldn’t be really sure she wasn’t. Still, I was glad she was released. I hate the whole justice system around the world, I don’t think it’s just or fair and it doesn’t work any more. Maybe it never really did. I lay awake thinking about Amanda for ages on Monday night. If she was guilty she knows it. Imagine living with that.
And if she's not guilty, what an ordeal to have had to live through. It was reported on CNN last night that she has been offered a book deal for $500,000. It made me feel kind of sick - not that she accepted it, but that publishers were so quick to feed off her experience. Like a bunch of sharks.
The money's not likely to help her heal, but writing the book might. I hope it does. I hope she doesn't get sucked into the distorted glare of celebrityship. I hope she's got protection and care around her. I hope she recovers from this, guilty or not.
I didn’t hear any accusations of that sort against Sollecito, but perhaps I just missed them. I got drawn into the case as I heard how the police work was botched unbelievably so that there was actually no real evidence to prove either of these young people participated in the murderer. They of course insisted they were innocent.
Well, after a nail-biting weekend, the judge on Monday pronounced them innocent and they were set free. It was very moving to watch Amanda Knox collapse in floods of tears, hardly able to stand. I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for her in those moments leading up to the judge’s pronouncement. Her face was white and tense.
Imagine being in your 20’s and facing 26 years in an Italian prison. Imagine if you didn’t commit the crime. I’ve always had this kind of naïve idea that I’d be able to tell if somebody was innocent or guilty, but in this case I realized I couldn’t. I watched Amanda Knox, and I couldn’t say for myself that she seemed innocent. There was something about her that I can’t put my finger on.
I’m not saying I thought she was guilty, I just couldn’t be really sure she wasn’t. Still, I was glad she was released. I hate the whole justice system around the world, I don’t think it’s just or fair and it doesn’t work any more. Maybe it never really did. I lay awake thinking about Amanda for ages on Monday night. If she was guilty she knows it. Imagine living with that.
And if she's not guilty, what an ordeal to have had to live through. It was reported on CNN last night that she has been offered a book deal for $500,000. It made me feel kind of sick - not that she accepted it, but that publishers were so quick to feed off her experience. Like a bunch of sharks.
The money's not likely to help her heal, but writing the book might. I hope it does. I hope she doesn't get sucked into the distorted glare of celebrityship. I hope she's got protection and care around her. I hope she recovers from this, guilty or not.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)In today's world, once you attain a "level of celebrity", which means it is fed by and made a part of the international media system, you then can be absorbed into that system for a time. For most people, (criminals, kite flyers, ex mates of celebrities, etc.) they can live off of that blood stream long enough to save some money. For others you can live off of that blood stream for a career. Amanda served some time, and now she will reap for a time. She will now always carry the Media placed flag of celebrity. In a few years she can decide how she wants to live the rest of her life. It's just the way it is.This is a sane way of looking at it, Christopher. I realized when I read your comment that I always presume people who get caught up in a quick burst of "fame" will be destroyed by it. But you're right, it's a great way to make some money and hopefully put it to good use!
In our system "beyond a reasonable doubt" is how it should be, with the intent that" better a guilty person go free, than an innocent one be convicted." We can look back around 10 years ago, when DNA testing set a lot of innocent men free, who had served so many years, for crimes they had never committed.Yes, that is how it should be, Elle. I saw a horrific story the other day of 2 young boys who were convicted of raping and killing 3 younger boys - with no evidence at all. they were convicted because they were rebellious and the townspeople hated them. One of the convicted lads had been on death row. They were recently released. Piers Morgan interviewed the guy who had been on death row. He was a wreck. It was awful.
No Jennifer, the justice system never really did work as it is enacted by humans that don't really work in terms of wisdom/enlightenment, anyway. The whole judgement, vengeance thing is gruesome as it emanates from a multitude of planks(in eyes, that is). I think it was Gandhi who said 'An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind', That poor soul has and is suffering, whatever she may/may not have done. Lets have some compassion PLEASE and mind our own flippin' business!Very well said, Carol!
Sorry dear, having probs with the star system, it keeps changing under my mouse!I think it happens to all of us! Thanks for coming back and giving me 5!
I've always wanted to be able to determine the innocence or guilt of someone by looking at them. As I tend to be a little cynical, I assume most people are guilty, unfortunately. It makes me sad to write it, but when I can't be sure, I usually assume the worst. That way, I can't be disappointed. Great article! :D
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