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Meredith Kercher’s father slams ‘Foxy Knoxy frenzy’
John Kercher also lays out some of the compelling evidence used to convict Knox and Sollecito
Amid the media "obsession" with the plight of Amanda Knox, the young Seattle woman appealing her conviction for murder in Italy, the father of Knox's victim, Meredith Kercher, has written an impassioned but rational article claiming it's time the public saw the story from the Kercher family's point of view.
John Kercher wrote in yesterday's Sunday Times: "We would like to be able to remember Meredith for the loving, humorous and caring person she was, rather than a murder victim. But under Italian law Knox and Sollecito [Knox's former boyfriend, also convicted] have a right to two appeals.
"The result of the current appeal is not expected until September. Should it go against them, then at least a year or even years could pass as the second appeal is heard. This is the stuff of nightmares, compounded by the way that Knox has been turned into a celebrity and the murder into entertainment."
Kercher (above left)was referring to the nine books published so far about the murder case, the made-for-TV movie starring Hayden Panettiere as Knox that was broadcast recently in the US and plans for an upcoming British film, possibly starring Colin Firth.
As well as expressing the family's distress at this turn of events, he made the point that while Knox (above right) and Sollecito's lawyers are concentrating on disputed DNA evidence in a bid to get their convictions overturned, there is considerable further evidence that was responsible for the pair being convicted.
Under Italian law, the judge must write an official report detailing how a verdict was reached. In this case, Judge Giancarlo Massei produced 400 pages and detailed almost 20 factors that were considered when Knox and Sollecito were found guilty of Meredith's murder in December 2009 and sentenced to 26 and 25 years' jail respectively.
Here are just four examples:
One. During the original murder trial, both Knox and Sollecito claimed that on the night of the murder - November 1, 2007 - they were nowhere near the cottage where Kercher's body was found dead. Sollecito claimed he was at home working at his computer. But Sollecito's computer records showed it was inactive that night.
Two. It appeared obvious to police that a break-in at the cottage had been staged. Police noticed that glass from a broken window was on top of clothes purportedly scattered by the intruder. But if the glass had been broken by the intruder, it would have been under the clothes.
Three. Sollecito told police nothing was taken from the room where the broken glass was found. But it was not his room and had not yet been searched by the Italian girl who lived there - so how would he know?
Four. Knox was able to describe the position of Meredith's body and how she died. How did she know? She was not able to see into the room whose door was locked shut before the police broke it down.
In Perugia, the appeal hearing continues, with a verdict not expected until September. In Seattle, Knox's supporters have a "bowling fundraiser" planned for next Sunday. ·
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Most people here seem not to understand how italian police is working. She clearly stated, that police wanted her to name Patrick Lumumba, and pressured her to testify he was it.
While she should never have lied, because of the damaging effects it has on ones credibility, even in such a serious crime trial, i also fully believe her, and have no reason to doubt that she was beaten (even only slightly) by police.
But what really made her to say and confirm everything police wanted her to testify, even if it was a lie, is, that police (most likely) seriously threatened her with 30 years in prison, just as she later said.
Now folks, start to use your brains ...
She was a young girl, in a foreign country, wanted to have a good time, and then this .. innocently charged with first degree murder, in a foreign country, not knowing her rights (here in Italy), speaking barely the language, not knowing the laws of this country ... and then the italian police and their wicked methods of "solving" crimes.
Is it any wonder, she simply had not the guts to oppose the police and stay with the truth ????
She wanted out of prison as soon as possible, because she knew she was innocent and had nothing to do with it. Perhaps she thought, if she was friendly and cooperating with the italian police, then she will have fewer trouble and nothing to fear.
Therefore the people who now say "well she lied .. only guilty persons lie" .. should really reconsider their opinion. Because actually, when considering the reality here in Italy, it is not always as easy as it looks at first hand. And a liar makes no murderer.
And somebody who was pressured and threatened in order to lie, even less ..
Disappointed that the Kercher family hasn't (if they've read ANY different reports out there) given once response.
Would have loved to have heard more from them that when it's right before a court appearance. This is understandable, however, it NO different from the Knox/Mellas family doing these shows since they believe her daughter is innocent. Neeeed to understand this. thanks
Amanda signed a statement saying she heard Meredith choke to death? That's a new one. Let's see the statement, Sean.
The above comment is the kind produced regularly by a small but determined group of maniacal posters sanctioned by the PR agency which Knox's family hired to spread misinformation about this murder conviction in a European Union democracy. The guilty verdict against Knox was delivered by a unanimous jury - neither the US State Dept nor Amnesty International found any fault with with it whatsoever..... Innocent people tell the truth and stick with it. Guilty people like Knox lie repeatedly and then rely on PR liars supported by cyncial, immoral posters to try and get them out of prison. It's all quite pathetic, and deeply offensive to those who recall that Knox originally implicated herself in this murder by admitting to being at the murder and hearing her victim choke to death (she signed a statement to this effect!), while doing nothing about it, except clean up most of the evidence and carry on lying.
Murder is a terrible crime and it must be awful to see a close family member destroyed in this way. That said, in the case of Meredith Kercher's murder, the perpetrator, Rudy Guede, has been rightly convicted. Two other people, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are innocent, but have been imprisoned for over three years, so far. The way this case has been handled is probably the biggest judicial scandal of the century so far and the character assassination of Amanda Knox has been led by the British tabloid press. To consider the specific points in your article:
One - Italian police computer 'experts' trashed three computers that could have corroborated Amanda and Raffaele's alibi. To trash one computer looks unfortunate, but trashing three looks like more than carelessness.
Two - The break in was not staged - defence experts have examined crime photos and have shown how it happened. Go to the injusticeinperugia web site for a detailed explanation.
Three - Sollecito told the police that nothing had been taken because lap top computers and personal valuables were still clearly in view - the room looked disturbed and the window had been smashed, but obvious items that a thief would have grabbed were still there.
Four - Knox misdescribed the way Kercher's body was found in the room, because she did not see inside when the door was broken down. Far from knowing the facts, she told someone that the body was in the wardrobe, because this is what she thought she overheard someone say. This is the opposite of your point four - how this can be argued against Knox, I fail to understand.
All these points have been brought up over and over and were refuted years ago. it is the continuous repetition of lies that is helping to perpetuate this miscarriage of justice and keep two innocent people in prison.