12.04.09

Cantwell Statement on Amanda Knox Guilty Verdict

WASHINGTON, DC –Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement on Amanda Knox’s guilty verdict decided today by an Italian court in Perugia, Italy.  Knox, a 22-year-old Seattle native, was accused of murdering her British school roommate Meredith Kercher in November 2007.  Knox stood trial with co-defendant and former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

Senator Cantwell’s statement:

“I am saddened by the verdict and I have serious questions about the Italian justice system and whether anti-Americanism tainted this trial. The prosecution did not present enough evidence for an impartial jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Knox was guilty. Italian jurors were not sequestered and were allowed to view highly negative news coverage about Ms. Knox. Other flaws in the Italian justice system on display in this case included the harsh treatment of Ms. Knox following her arrest; negligent handling of evidence by investigators; and pending charges of misconduct against one of the prosecutors stemming from another murder trial.

 

I am in contact with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy and have been since the time of Ms. Knox’s arrest. I will be conveying my concerns to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I have also been in touch with the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.

 

 

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