Continuation Part Eight: Discussion of the Amanda Knox/Raffaele Sollecito case

[kwill]

Have you read and comprehended what you typed. This is not a US case, yank.

Edited by jhunter1163: 

Moderated content removed.

Personal attack, adds nothing to the discussion. If you have an argument, make it.

 

[Bill Williams]

Have you read and comprehended what you typed. This is not a US case, yank.

Edited by jhunter1163: 

Moderated content removed.

Personal attack, adds nothing to the discussion. If you have an argument, make it.

You beat me to it... this is nothing but a personal attack and violates JREF member's agreement.

 

[Bill Williams]

Amanda Knox attends an Innocence Network Conference in Portland, Oregon, with other wrongfully prosecuted/convicted people.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Amanda-Knox-Innocence-project-network-portland--254933241.html

Knox said she felt welcomed and supported at the conference, where she has met individuals who similar experiences.

“I was hated for so long,” Knox said. “Feeling accepted and feeling understood gives one strength to keep going and try to find your place. That's the whole point of justice, when something horrible happens, trying to reconcile that with life. It’s really helpful to see other people who have done that.”

 

[acbytesla]

Have you read and comprehended what you typed. This is not a US case, yank.

Edited by jhunter1163: 

Moderated content removed.

huh?? What part of my posts are angry, lack logic or demonstrate personal problems with foreigners? You're going to have to be specific Supercal.

It's not unusual to hear politicians and prosecutors in virtually every country run their mouths off and seek attention. Which makes me wonder why you would think that my suggestion that the PM was just "mouthing off to the press as a personal problem I have foreigners?

You should also go back and read my post again since I said "imagine". This means it was just conjecture.

Have a great day Supercal.

 

[Bill Williams]

With Giuliano Mignini prepared to sue Raffaele for having an opinion, and with this case now firmoly out of his hands.... it is good to review the things Mignini has been up to in the past....

GIULIANO MIGNINI LINKS

The Prosecution’s Theory of Multiple Attackers
http://murderofmeredithkercher.com/meredith-kercher-crime-scene/

Giuliano Mignini
http://www.injusticeinperugia.org/Mignini.html

2009 Sept 8, Giuliano Mignini Sues Again
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.ie/2009/09/giuliano-mignini-sues-again.html

2010 Jan 22, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Mignini Convicted Of Abuse Of Office Today
http://www.examiner.com/article/amanda-knox-prosecutor-mignini-convicted-of-abuse-of-office-today

2010 Jan 22, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Convicted Of Abusing Office
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrH-qxqgsi0

2010 Jan 25, Could Prosecutor's Conviction Help Knox?
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/01/25/could-prosecutors-conviction-help-amanda-knox/

2010 Jan 27, The Italian Justice System Should Get Rid Of Mignini
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.com/2010/01/italian-justice-system-should-get-rid.html

2010 Feb 26, Corrupt Italian Prosecutor Mignini Used Random Knife as Phony Murder Weapon
http://voices.yahoo.com/amanda-knox-corrupt-italian-prosecutor-mignini-used-5547011.html

2010 April 20, Behind Giuliano Mignini’s Own Conviction
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.ie/2010/04/behind-giuliano-migninis-own-conviction.html

2010 April 22, Convicted Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini May Return for "Appealing" Courtroom Drama, Citing Loophole
http://www.injusticeinperugia.org/crimesider.html

2010 Nov 25, Amanda Knox Appeal: 'Italians Are Embarrassed By This Case'
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/25/amanda-knox-appeal

2011 April 28, Murder Abroad: The Amanda Knox Story—CNN Drew Griffin Reports
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/28/%E2%80%98murder-abroad-the-amanda-knox-story%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-cnn%E2%80%99s-drew-griffin-reports/

2011 May 8, Mignini CNN Interview
http://amandx-knox-interrogation.wikispaces.com/Mignini-CNN-interview

2011 Sept 24, Saberpoint: Giuliano Mignini, The Clown Of Perugia
http://saberpoint.blogspot.ie/2011/09/giuliano-mignini-clown-of-perugia.html

2011 Oct 3, Giuliano Mignini: Knox prosecutor who believes he is the conspiracy victim
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/03/giuliano-mignini-knox-prosecutor-conspiracy

2011 Oct 4, Prosecutor Of Perugia's Bizarre Conduct Bordered On Criminal, Observers Say
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/amanda-knox-freed-prosecutor-perugia-bizarre-conduct-bordered-criminal-observers-article-1.959606#ixzz2xxPnopjo

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/amanda-knox-freed-prosecutor-perugia-bizarre-conduct-bordered-criminal-observers-article-1.959606

2011 Nov 2, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Back In Court As A Defendant
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-prosecutor-giuliano-mignini-back-in-court-as-a-defendant/

2012 May 1, Amanda Knox Prosecutors Investigated For Meredith Kercher “Murder Video”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-prosecutors-investigated-for-meredith-kercher-murder-video/

2013 May 31, Perugians And Tabloids And Trolls, Oh My!!
http://groundreport.com/perugians-and-tabloids-and-trolls-oh-my/

2013 June 25, The Smear Campaign
http://groundreport.com/the-smear-campaign/

2013 June 17, The Monster of Florence Claims New Victims
http://groundreport.com/the-monster-of-florence-claims-new-victims/

2013 July 1, The Osmotic Evaluation Of A Sexual Fantasy
http://groundreport.com/the-osmotic-elvaluation-of-a-sexual-fantasy/

2013 Sept 6, Is Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Secretly Leaking Information To Amanda Knox Hate Sites?
http://groundreport.com/is-prosecutor-giuliano-mignini-secretly-leaking-information-to-amanda-knox-hate-sites/

2013 June 18, Amanda Knox Reporter Andrea Vogt Continues To Go To Bat For Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini
http://groundreport.com/amanda-knox-reporter-andrea-vogt%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%ACcontinues-to-go-to-bat-for-prosecutor%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%ACgiuliano-mignini/#.UcDCS1dqZ28.facebook

2013 Dec 10, Giuliano Mignini, The Monster Of Perugia
http://www.allthingscrimeblog.com/2013/12/10/giuliano-mignini-the-monster-of-perugia/

2014 Jan 25, Giuliano Mignini, the Italian Drama Queen
http://freedomandjustice4all.weebly.com/1/post/2014/01/giuliano-mignini-the-italian-drama-queen.html

2014 Mar 6, Cooked Pasta Sticks on a Grimy Wall
http://groundreport.com/cooked-pasta-sticks-on-a-grimy-wall/​

My personal favourite is the Drama Queen one. Also how Andrea Vogt and Machiavelli are less concerned with prosecuting the right people, than they are with rescuing Mignini's reputation.

 

[CoulsdonUK]

The case is a subject of conversation here in Seattle but certainly isn't the main topic. What is the main topic in Coulsdon.

I do not pretend to know what Coulsdon is taking about, although I doubt Meredith’s murder is the main topic of conversation.

I'm curious why and in what you are interested regarding the motivations.
What difference does it make to you what the defense says or whether they use material we discuss here?

From the last appeal they may discuss more than technicalities.

The motivations are the next phase of the case it will set the context for the appeals and as such I am curious what the defence teams approach will be.

Why do you believe they may discuss more than technicalities?

What percentage of English students have been murdered or assaulted when studying abroad in the last decade or any other time period?

No idea, do you know the equivalent figures for American students being charged for murder whilst studying abroad?

What I don't understand at all is what draws you here? We really don't need to be reminded that the Italian court system will make the decision over there and then if the conviction is confirmed they may ask for extradition. If they do ask, then the US will review the request.

Why would you or anyone else need to understand what draws me here, you post under the name Grinder that’s all I need to know.

If the Italian courts do request extradition I believe it will end with a political decision based on American public opinion which of course takes care of Amanda’s interests.

Will you continue to follow this case if Amanda isn’t extradited?

 

[CoulsdonUK]

With Giuliano Mignini prepared to sue Raffaele for having an opinion, and with this case now firmoly out of his hands.... it is good to review the things Mignini has been up to in the past....

GIULIANO MIGNINI LINKS

The Prosecution’s Theory of Multiple Attackers
http://murderofmeredithkercher.com/meredith-kercher-crime-scene/

Giuliano Mignini
http://www.injusticeinperugia.org/Mignini.html

2009 Sept 8, Giuliano Mignini Sues Again
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.ie/2009/09/giuliano-mignini-sues-again.html

2010 Jan 22, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Mignini Convicted Of Abuse Of Office Today
http://www.examiner.com/article/amanda-knox-prosecutor-mignini-convicted-of-abuse-of-office-today

2010 Jan 22, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Convicted Of Abusing Office
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrH-qxqgsi0

2010 Jan 25, Could Prosecutor's Conviction Help Knox?
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/01/25/could-prosecutors-conviction-help-amanda-knox/

2010 Jan 27, The Italian Justice System Should Get Rid Of Mignini
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.com/2010/01/italian-justice-system-should-get-rid.html

2010 Feb 26, Corrupt Italian Prosecutor Mignini Used Random Knife as Phony Murder Weapon
http://voices.yahoo.com/amanda-knox-corrupt-italian-prosecutor-mignini-used-5547011.html

2010 April 20, Behind Giuliano Mignini’s Own Conviction
http://knoxarchives.blogspot.ie/2010/04/behind-giuliano-migninis-own-conviction.html

2010 April 22, Convicted Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini May Return for "Appealing" Courtroom Drama, Citing Loophole
http://www.injusticeinperugia.org/crimesider.html

2010 Nov 25, Amanda Knox Appeal: 'Italians Are Embarrassed By This Case'
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/25/amanda-knox-appeal

2011 April 28, Murder Abroad: The Amanda Knox Story—CNN Drew Griffin Reports
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/28/%E2%80%98murder-abroad-the-amanda-knox-story%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-cnn%E2%80%99s-drew-griffin-reports/

2011 May 8, Mignini CNN Interview
http://amandx-knox-interrogation.wikispaces.com/Mignini-CNN-interview

2011 Sept 24, Saberpoint: Giuliano Mignini, The Clown Of Perugia
http://saberpoint.blogspot.ie/2011/09/giuliano-mignini-clown-of-perugia.html

2011 Oct 3, Giuliano Mignini: Knox prosecutor who believes he is the conspiracy victim
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/03/giuliano-mignini-knox-prosecutor-conspiracy

2011 Oct 4, Prosecutor Of Perugia's Bizarre Conduct Bordered On Criminal, Observers Say
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/amanda-knox-freed-prosecutor-perugia-bizarre-conduct-bordered-criminal-observers-article-1.959606#ixzz2xxPnopjo

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/amanda-knox-freed-prosecutor-perugia-bizarre-conduct-bordered-criminal-observers-article-1.959606

2011 Nov 2, Amanda Knox Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Back In Court As A Defendant
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-prosecutor-giuliano-mignini-back-in-court-as-a-defendant/

2012 May 1, Amanda Knox Prosecutors Investigated For Meredith Kercher “Murder Video”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-prosecutors-investigated-for-meredith-kercher-murder-video/

2013 May 31, Perugians And Tabloids And Trolls, Oh My!!
http://groundreport.com/perugians-and-tabloids-and-trolls-oh-my/

2013 June 25, The Smear Campaign
http://groundreport.com/the-smear-campaign/

2013 June 17, The Monster of Florence Claims New Victims
http://groundreport.com/the-monster-of-florence-claims-new-victims/

2013 July 1, The Osmotic Evaluation Of A Sexual Fantasy
http://groundreport.com/the-osmotic-elvaluation-of-a-sexual-fantasy/

2013 Sept 6, Is Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini Secretly Leaking Information To Amanda Knox Hate Sites?
http://groundreport.com/is-prosecutor-giuliano-mignini-secretly-leaking-information-to-amanda-knox-hate-sites/

2013 June 18, Amanda Knox Reporter Andrea Vogt Continues To Go To Bat For Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini
http://groundreport.com/amanda-knox-reporter-andrea-vogt%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%ACcontinues-to-go-to-bat-for-prosecutor%E2%80%AD-%E2%80%ACgiuliano-mignini/#.UcDCS1dqZ28.facebook

2013 Dec 10, Giuliano Mignini, The Monster Of Perugia
http://www.allthingscrimeblog.com/2013/12/10/giuliano-mignini-the-monster-of-perugia/

2014 Jan 25, Giuliano Mignini, the Italian Drama Queen
http://freedomandjustice4all.weebly.com/1/post/2014/01/giuliano-mignini-the-italian-drama-queen.html

2014 Mar 6, Cooked Pasta Sticks on a Grimy Wall
http://groundreport.com/cooked-pasta-sticks-on-a-grimy-wall/​

My personal favourite is the Drama Queen one. Also how Andrea Vogt and Machiavelli are less concerned with prosecuting the right people, than they are with rescuing Mignini's reputation.

I assume this relates to extracts from Raffaele book? Are you surprised?

ETA=> Just had a thought (it’s ok Bill I was sitting down), I wonder if they will go after any members of Raffaele’s legal team, does anyone know whether any of his legal team corroborated with the book?

 

[Grinder]

The motivations are the next phase of the case it will set the context for the appeals and as such I am curious what the defence teams approach will be.

Why do you believe they may discuss more than technicalities?

Because they did before. Remember Galati?

No idea, do you know the equivalent figures for American students being charged for murder whilst studying abroad?

You were the one that expressed concern about your child's safety. I just don't think there is any significant danger. No more than the streets of London or Coulsdon for that matter.

Why would you or anyone else need to understand what draws me here, you post under the name Grinder that’s all I need to know.

I'm just curious because you don't seem to be interested in what happened or more importantly if the conviction is reasonable given the beyond a reasonable doubt requirement. I think people here have clearly shown that the ILE didn't prove their case and that many irregularities occurred. Though I'm not asking you now to give a scenario of how the crime occurred that includes the kids but it does frustrate that those PGP here don't seem to care that they can't put it together.

If the Italian courts do request extradition I believe it will end with a political decision based on American public opinion which of course takes care of Amanda’s interests.

Will you continue to follow this case if Amanda isn’t extradited?

I don't think there will be anything to follow if she isn't extradited.

Once again I'm curious why you ask.

 

[Chris_Halkides]

the origin of the cells is the issue

When I reviewed his publication record some time ago, I came to the conclusion that Dr. Novelli's main interest was medical genetics, but he also had an interest in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a possible tool in forensics. Dr. Novelli's medical genetics background was worse that irrelevant to this case; it was actually a reason that the court went off in the wrong direction. My understanding is that he testified to the effect that they could do PCR on as little as a single cell in his lab. On page 83 of Math on Trial Schneps and Colmez wrote, "In court on September 5 [2011] and supported by expert prosecution witness Giuseppe Novelli, Stefanoni explained that newer generations of DNA analysis kits existed in 2011 that had not been available in 2007, and these new kits could give results on as small as a couple of cells."

Wait a minute; newer generations of kits are nice, but they don't address the issue surrounding low template DNA and all of the problems that such analysis has. In embryology one knows the origin of the single cell one is testing (see my previous comment), but in forensics it is impossible to interrogate the DNA as to the time or manner of its deposition. Dr. Budowle, for example, has written that low template analysis should be restricted to identification of bodies and to developing leads but not in criminal proceedings. Identification of bodies and developing leads are much closer to criminal proceedings than embryology is. In other words using the practices in embryology to justify further testing on the knife was intellectually suspect. Then when the results were exculpatory, the prosecution and its allies minimized their significance.

 

[carlofab]

I have a question to throw out...

Suppose Italy requests extradition, and the call comes down to the Secretary of State or ultimately Obama, and they refuse?

Does that mean Amanda has a safe haven in the United States for the rest of her life?

Or will the issue be revisited every four years with the potential for a new administration?

 

[CoulsdonUK]

Because they did before. Remember Galati?

Don’t think either defence team have a Galati in their arsenal.

You were the one that expressed concern about your child's safety. I just don't think there is any significant danger. No more than the streets of London or Coulsdon for that matter.

Well I am pretty sure Meredith, Raffaele and Amanda’s parents thought the same back in 2007.

I'm just curious because you don't seem to be interested in what happened or more importantly if the conviction is reasonable given the beyond a reasonable doubt requirement.

I am still not ready for justice by discussion site (sorry), don’t get me wrong I think the discussion is interesting but it adheres to membership rules, in short it isn’t remotely like any court of law in the western world and that for me matters.

I think people here have clearly shown that the ILE didn't prove their case and that many irregularities occurred. Though I'm not asking you now to give a scenario of how the crime occurred that includes the kids but it does frustrate that those PGP here don't seem to care that they can't put it together.

As ever I can and do only speak for myself (I resist the welcoming bright light of the PIP\PGP reality bubble). Some folks here seem to confuse discussion, informed discussion I grant you, with a court of law; it isn’t, it’s a discussion site. I have no doubt that the vast majority of what is presented here as proof wouldn’t make it into an American, Canadian or British court let alone an Italian one.

I don't think there will be anything to follow if she isn't extradited.
Once again I'm curious why you ask.

Erm, well I was thinking in the context of Amanda being free in America whilst Raffaele serves time. All the arguments you and other repeat should still apply, kids becomes kid and wouldn’t that be the only difference? After all; this for many who post here is about a wrongful conviction, isn’t it? Maybe not.

 

[Desert Fox]

I have a question to throw out...

Suppose Italy requests extradition, and the call comes down to the Secretary of State or ultimately Obama, and they refuse?

Does that mean Amanda has a safe haven in the United States for the rest of her life?

Or will the issue be revisited every four years with the potential for a new administration?

Usually over such personal issues, I think future administrations leave it alone.

Question, if the latest court had just gone "Not Guilty" and mumbled something about evidence, do you think they could have just ended this case?

 

[acbytesla]

I have a question to throw out...

Suppose Italy requests extradition, and the call comes down to the Secretary of State or ultimately Obama, and they refuse?

Does that mean Amanda has a safe haven in the United States for the rest of her life?

Or will the issue be revisited every four years with the potential for a new administration?

I've had the same question carlofab. Legally, I guess Italy could keep asking for extradition every year, hoping for a different answer. Now, Obama could issue Amanda a full pardon and then I believe Italy could get nowhere with a new administration.

That said, I serious doubt that Obama will be president at the time that Italy might ask for Amanda. Never the less, I can't imagine Italy requesting extradition of Amanda multiple times. That said, I couldn't imagine that we would be in the scenario that we are now.

 

[CoulsdonUK]

I have a question to throw out...

Suppose Italy requests extradition, and the call comes down to the Secretary of State or ultimately Obama, and they refuse?

Does that mean Amanda has a safe haven in the United States for the rest of her life?

Or will the issue be revisited every four years with the potential for a new administration?

Gosh Obama; that’s pushing it a bit.

Next spring the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation rule on any outstanding appeals, then we have the only other European institution that moves slower than the Italian justice system the European Court of Human Rights, so I doubt that President Obama will be in office.

I would imagine once the decision is made any future Presidents would honour previous administrations, not sure how that would help Raffaele though.

 

[carlofab]

We have a lot of strategic bases in Italy. We fought the Kosovo war from airfields in northern Italy. Bases on Sicily and minor islands in the Med are vital to our capability in North Africa and the Middle East.

There could come a time when we need a big favor from Italy, and if popular feeling there were particularly bitter, the price for that cooperation could be Knox.

I question whether the president could pardon her for a crime for which she was convicted by a foreign government on foreign soil against a non-citizen.

This is not a casual question.

I'm asking whether Knox might never have confidence that she is forever free in the U.S., but only from one presidential election to the next. Seriously.

 

[Dan O.]

This is a murder case involving two Italians and an American with UK murder victim.

What exactly is that involvement and what is the evidence for it?

 

[RWVBWL]

Forensically speaking...

Greetings CoulsdonUK,
As a member here for a few years, I've probably read most of your postings about your thoughts
on the brutal murder of a young college gal from your town.

Here is a photograph that speaks volumes,
it is Miss Kercher trying to speak, forensically, about what happened the terrible night she was raped and murdered:



Without a doubt,
Rudy Guede, who had never been inside the Meredith's upstairs apartment,
WAS inside her bedroom that night.

But was someone else too?
Miss Kercher is apparently, trying to speak again, for as this photograph shows,
she grabbed the hair from someone who was there as she was attacked:



Surely this hair strand, and another, found near her vagina, was tested.

But for some reason, from what I recall, no information was able to be gleaned from this hair strand. I wonder why Dr. Stefanoni did not continuously retest this strand of hair, for found in Meredith's hand as she died, it probably pointed to 1 of her attackers...

Due to police incompetence, or (?),
this important piece of evidence was then "lost" while in police custody, so it may never be retested again.

I'd wager a bet that if that hair strand belonged to Amanda Knox it would have been a major piece of evidence used to convict her of participating in Miss Kercher's murder, right?



CoulsdonUK,
If your son or daughter was raped and murdered, wouldn't you want any and all critical pieces of evidence tested?

Of course you would!

Miss Kercher, a young woman from your town, was raped.
A pillow was found under her naked genitalia.
This pillow, when seen using proper equipment, shows 2 apparent semen stains. They are apparently fresh, for Rudy Guede stepped in 1 of the 2 stains, seen in the middle of the pillow case and left his shoeprint in it:


When you visualize where the pillow case was lying underneath Meredith, ask yourself where is Rudy's sneaker imprint?
Between Meredith's thighs?


That sneaker imprint is not from Raffaele Sollecito's sneaker nor from Amanda Knox's.

Rudy Guede left more shoeprint evidence that he stepped around Meredith's body a few times.




Wouldn't you want to see these stains tested:
1) What it is?
2) Whom does it belong to?
3) Is it related to the brutal rape and murder of your community member?

Yet oddly,
Italian law enforcement decided against doing so,
in a rape and murder case.


CoulsdonUK,
with all due respect,
surely you understand why most who post here are very skeptical of what an Italian prosecutor theorized and Italians courts have stated was the scenario of what transpired the night Miss Kercher was so horribly slain, right?
RW

 

[acbytesla]

We have a lot of strategic bases in Italy. We fought the Kosovo war from airfields in northern Italy. Bases on Sicily and minor islands in the Med are vital to our capability in North Africa and the Middle East.

There could come a time when we need a big favor from Italy, and if popular feeling there were particularly bitter, the price for that cooperation could be Knox.

I question whether the president could pardon her for a crime for which she was convicted by a foreign government on foreign soil against a non-citizen.

This is not a casual question.

I'm asking whether Knox might never have confidence that she is forever free in the U.S., but only from one presidential election to the next. Seriously.

I know it is not a casual question Carlo, that said, I think we might be putting too much emphasis on the importance of Amanda Knox to the Italian government. Not that I think Amanda is a lot more important to the US government. Still, Amanda is a US citizen and the victim was not Italian. Even if a majority of Italians might think Amanda is guilty they are unlikely to care enough to pressure their government so they can house Amanda in one of their prisons.

Don't forget the fatigue factor. Every day going forward, this becomes ancient history. The people have a tendency to move on. This is like a long running television show. At first everyone is hooked on it and they rush home to see it. But after a while, it grows more and more stale until no one cares and the show is canceled.

Well at least that is my opinion.

 

[acbytesla]

Originally Posted by CoulsdonUK
This is a murder case involving two Italians and an American with UK murder victim.

What two Italians? I count only one...Raffaele. You can't seriously be counting Patrick Lumumba are you?

 

[JREF2010]

We have a lot of strategic bases in Italy. We fought the Kosovo war from airfields in northern Italy. Bases on Sicily and minor islands in the Med are vital to our capability in North Africa and the Middle East.

There could come a time when we need a big favor from Italy, and if popular feeling there were particularly bitter, the price for that cooperation could be Knox.

I question whether the president could pardon her for a crime for which she was convicted by a foreign government on foreign soil against a non-citizen.

This is not a casual question.

I'm asking whether Knox might never have confidence that she is forever free in the U.S., but only from one presidential election to the next. Seriously.

As I understand it, many Italians know they have a corrupt and dysfunctional legal system that is bleeding the country dry financially.

Who knows? I never thought this case would go on after the DNA was found to be so weak, but here it is the "poop motive" prosecutor Crini and a guilty verdict by the Nencini and his Forensic Experts who read up a full 12hrs on the case, maybe more on the weekends... (the experts shown in my avatar.)