I had already noted that your comments about Italian democracy are specious.
The US was behind Italy as for freedom expression in years around 2007.
In all seriousness, Machiavelli, this case doesn't have anything to do with Italy as a "democracy." Italy is a democracy, everyone knows that.
And, yes, the courts and law enforcement to some extent derive their powers from this democracy, presumably from some constitutional source. Although, I would add, that in terms of actual function, it is difficult to imagine two less democratic institutions than courts and law enforcement--the same is true everywhere. Courts and police, may operate within a democracy but are far from democratic, themselves.
Anyway, the fact that a democracy might authorize the operation of courts and law enforcement does not mean that all of the actions of the courts and law enforcement are rendered proper or incontestable, or even a necessary function of the democracy.
Just one example. In this case, I believe that we have Italian law, perhaps the constitution, that says that defendants are entitled to a fair jury trial. Moreover, international law demands a fair trial: this is Italy's obligation under the ECHR. Yet, we have a court--the supreme court no less--that has now said that the results of a summary trial for one person (Guede) must be used in the trial of different people (Knox and Sollecito) to disprove their alternate theory of the crime, i.e., that Guede was the lone rapist and murderer. Thus, this supreme court has plainly stripped Knox and Sollecito of their right to jury trial on this issue, by substituting an effectively uncontested judgment from a separate summary proceeding, and thus, deprived Knox and Sollecito of their right to notice, to effective counsel, to put on and cross-examine witnesses, and to appeal.
This is obvious misconduct, and it is not immune from criticism simply because Italy is a democracy. In fact, to the contrary, it should be the subject of great criticism, because the supreme court has violated Italy's constitutional promises and international commitments in an absurdly outcome-oriented, Stalinist manner.
To stay silent in the face of such outrage, and worse, to be a collaborator, like you, is pitiful. So, you should view us as Italy's friends, because we are pointing out the abridgements of your own rights.
