And so it continues...
"She thought the nightmare was over." Those were the words of Amanda Knox's attorney, Carlo Dalla Vedova, after hearing the Italian courts had overturned his client's acquittal.
That nasty "nightmare" would include Knox's previous murder conviction and four years spent in an Italian prison, for her alleged brutal slaying of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher in 2007. Knox was acquitted and released from prison in October of 2011. Her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, also allegedly involved in the murder, was released as well --and now Sollecito's acquittal has been overturned --as well. Both Knox and Sollecito were sentenced to 25 years. Knox got another year for falsely accusing a man of the murder.
It's reported that Meredith Kercher's family is happy to hear the case has been reopened. "There are lots of questions without answers and that’s why we are looking for the truth," Kercher's sister, Stephanie, said.
Over 20 books have been written about Meredith Kercher, including one by her father. No matter how this case turns out, it's good to see this young lady name and life being remembered.
Italian courts could request that Knox be extradited to stand trial again in their country. But given the rules of double jeopardy in this country, there would have to be some very strong evidence of Knox's guilt, before the US would consider honoring Italy's request.
This has already been one of the most sensationalized stories in years. The fact that sex and drugs were part of this murder story, it may remain in the news longer. A new trial will not to be scheduled before 2014, and Knox would not necessarily have to be present for the trial to take place. There really isn't much that can be done now. It's more of a 'wait and see'. Ironically, Knox has a book due out April 30, for which she was advanced $4 million dollars. She is also scheduled to be interviewed by Diane Sawyer. The only thing immediately affected, would be Knox's ability to receive any compensation for being unjustly imprisoned while in Italy.
During the original murder case, no murder weapon was found, the DNA turned out to be faulty, and motives, though questionable, were never proven.
Now living in Seattle and studying creative writing at the University of Washington, Amanda Knox says,
"It was painful to receive the news that the Italian Supreme Court decided to send my case back for revision when the prosecution's theory of my involvement in Meredith's murder has been repeatedly revealed to be completely unfounded and unfair.
No matter what happens, my family and I will face this continuing legal battle as we always have, confident in the truth and with our heads held high in the face of wrongful accusations and unreasonable adversity," Knox said.
And we have a man in jail, convicted of this crime, serving 16 years (Knox's sentence, was ten years more) So many questions...