IMAGE SOURCE: (Pakistan News Updates)
 
BY ANTHONY MARTINEZ
 
 
 

In Italy, American student Amanda Knox is set to learn whether she will go free or go to prison -- for life. CNN gets us up to speed.
 
“A jury found Knox and her Italian boyfriend guilty of killing fellow student, Meredith Kercher, two years ago, but during her appeal, independent defense experts called the DNA evidence ‘flawed’, insisting police mishandled it. Knox hopes to overturn a 26-year prison sentence.”
 
The prosecutors claim Kercher was sexually assaulted and then stabbed to death. At issue is whether Knox’s DNA really was found on the supposed murder weapon, as was claimed during her trial. ABC explains.
 
REPORTER: “During Knox’s appeal this summer, the two court-appointed independent experts reviewed key DNA evidence used to convict them. A kitchen knife, the prosecution claims has Knox’s DNA on the handle and Kercher’s on the blade and a bra clasp with Sollecito’s DNA on the hook. Their detailed critique blasted the evidence collection and the DNA testing, raising serious questions about the prosecution’s case.”
 
But the prosecution insists their evidence is reliable. CBS reports, not only are they demanding Knox’s conviction stand, they actually want to increase her sentence-- from 26 years to life.
 
“But in the final round of closing arguments, persecutors turned up the heat even more with hardball tactics, at one point, portraying Knox as part of a media campaign worthy of Nazi propaganda. Lawyers showed jurors graphic pictures of Kercher’s body and said, ‘People had forgotten about the girl that had been brutally murdered.’”       In a piece for The Huffington Post last year, a University of Washington law professor said the case stirred international controversy due to the differences between the Italian and U.S. justice systems.
 
“The resounding and anguished howl of Americans in response Amanda's conviction has been that the Italian trial wasn't ‘fair.’ That she never would have been found guilty if she had been tried in the United States.”
 
Though the prosecution is doubling down, Knox herself seems to be much more confident. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer quotes Knox explaining her feelings during the trial.
 
"During the first trial, I was scared to enter the dock, I felt everyone was hostile, I felt that when I spoke and cried, when I tried to explain that I wasn't in the house that night, everybody was shrugging and mocking me... It's nice to feel that they don't hate me anymore, that finally someone is listening to me."
 
The case is scheduled to end on October 3rd, when the court’s final verdict will be announced.
 

U.S. News

Amanda Knox Could Face Life Sentence in Kercher Case

September 24, 2011
(2:23)
Amanda Knox awaits the results of a DNA test that may free her of all charges or land her an unexpected life-sentence.
   
TRANSCRIPT

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

Iran Talks End in Stalemate
Lack of decisive resolution to nuclear negotiation prompts diplomats to postpone Baghdad talks.
(1:23)
May 25, 2012
New Orleans to be Largest City Without Daily Newspaper
The 175-year-old New Orleans Times-Picayune will cut back production, cut staff and focus on digital.
(1:59)
May 25, 2012
Mortgage Rates Hit Record Low
The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell to 3.78 percent. That's four straight weeks of lows.
(1:46)
May 25, 2012
Facebook Launches Camera App
Facebook Camera is now in the Apple app store, complete with the ability to swipe to see albums and tap to see enlarged photos.
(1:43)
May 25, 2012
Warren, Brown Neck and Neck in Mass. Senate Race
The latest poll has Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown in a dead heat, with 48% backing Brown and 47% backing Democratic challenger Warren.
(1:29)
May 24, 2012
Thieves Steal Ochocinco's Wallet
Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco's car was burgled and he was distraught over the loss of his Starbucks card.
(1:18)
May 24, 2012
White Guy With Guitar: American Idol Trend?
After Phillip Phillips became the fifth man in a row to win the American Idol title, analysts wonder if the show has a diversity problem.
(2:34)
May 24, 2012
Possible Break in Etan Patz Case, Police Still Skeptical
A confession in a 33-year-old missing child case may lead to a suspect, but police are skeptical.
(2:28)
May 24, 2012
Top News Headlines: Facebook Debuts 'Camera' App
Other headlines: world leaders discuss Iran's nuclear program; man confesses to killing Etan Patz; Vatican bank president ousted.
(1:42)
May 24, 2012
Yankee Sale Story Draws Denial, Speculation
Yankees officials are hotly denying a New York Daily News story claiming the team is looking to sell the franchise.
(2:13)
May 24, 2012
Los Angeles Bags Plastic Bags
The LA city council voted to eliminate single-use plastic bags, but the move is proving controversial.
(1:24)
May 24, 2012
Magic to Meet With Shaq for GM Job
The Orlando Magic are reportedly going to meet with former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal about their general manager job.
(2:25)
May 24, 2012
HP Announces Massive Layoffs
HP has announced it will lay off 27,000 people, or eight percent of its 375,000-person workforce, all by October 2014.
(1:43)
May 24, 2012
Pakistan Jails CIA Informant Who Helped Find Bin Laden
A Pakistani doctor who organized a fake vaccination clinic to help the CIA find Osama bin Laden has been sentenced to 33 years in jail.
(2:35)
May 24, 2012

Newsy

www2