A seven-year legal battle could come to a head this week as courts deliberate on one of the most hotly debated murder cases of our generation.
Amanda Knox, now 28, was on exchange in the Italian town of Perugia in 2007 when she was accused of killing her housemate, 21-year-old British national, Meredith Kercher.
Knox was convicted of that crime, and then acquitted, and then convicted again. She’s now living in America, but a decision of the highest court in Italy this week might see her extradited back to Italy to serve the rest of her 28 year prison sentence.
Experts are now weighing in on whether the US will give her up to Italian authorities.
“Foxy Knoxy”, as Amanda came to be known, was initially found guilty of participating in the stabbing murder of Kercher, but the sentence was reversed in 2011, allowing her to return home to Seattle.
Last year, the original conviction was upheld, and Knox and her former boyfriend Rafaello Sollecito were again found guilty of the murder.
On Wednesday, the court of cassation in Rome will offer the final verdict.
If the guilty verdict is upheld, Knox will face extradition to Italy, to resume a 28-year jail sentence.
While Ms Kercher’s parents are hoping Knox will be forced to pay the price of her alleged crime, sources from the say the likelihood the United States government will extradite Knox is limited, The Independent reports.
Quicky News Headlines: Thursday April 25th 2024
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Look I know I wasn't in court but I find it hard to believe she and her ex boyfriend were guilty, this is of course based on things I have read, I do realise I am not in court!
I will say this though it is pretty sexist that a woman could potentially avoid extradition if she was to fall pregnant! But some poor guy in the same situation would serve 28 years!
Yeah, I know what I'd be doing if I was her!
When Amanda’s and Raffaele’s convictions are written in stone, Raffaele will present a serious problem for the Italian government. If they decline to seek extradition of Amanda, they either must (1) let a convicted Italian murderer go free because they’ve let his convicted American co-defendant go free, or (2) imprison a convicted Italian murderer for 25+ years even though they’ve let his convicted American co-defendant go free. The first choice will annoy the Italian public greatly since it will allow a convicted murderer to go free in Italy. Yet the second choice would be unfair and enrage the Italian public.
How can the Italian government avoid this dilemma?
There is only one answer: request for the extradition of Amanda.
And remember, the United States extradites more people than any other country in the world. If we want to retain that right with Italy, just consider the implications with organized crime and the ongoing war on drugs. The Cosa Nostra, Camorra and the ‘Ndrangheta are some of the world’s largest cocaine and heroine manufacturers and suppliers and all are active in the US, Canada, South America, Australia and Europe. They collaborate with other organized crime syndicates from all over the world including Al-Qaeda associates and are also involved in illegal gambling, political corruption, extortion, kidnapping, fraud, counterfeiting,
infiltration of legitimate businesses, murders, bombings, and weapons trafficking. Industry experts in Italy estimate that their worldwide criminal activity is worth more than $100 billion annually. Indeed, these Italian organizations are at the center of the ongoing war on drugs, the war against organized crime syndicates and overall crime itself.
For anyone to think, even for a moment, that a one “Amanda Marie Knox” is worth giving up the fight against all of that is ludicrous and downright laughable. Indeed, we’re not about to give up that fight solely based on one single individual. That’s the leverage against Knox, and it’s quite substantial. Italy will make the extradition request and America will extradite Amanda Knox.
Dr. Joseph Zoo
PhD, OBE ♚☤