Current trial for Amanda Knox in Italy for slander case
Amanda Knox, who gained global attention after being convicted and later acquitted of murder, is now facing another trial in Italy this week. The trial is in connection to a slander conviction for wrongfully accusing a bar owner of murdering her British roommate in 2007.
Reason for Knox’s absence in the trial
Amanda Knox, now 36 years old, had planned to appear at the retrial in Florence’s appeals court. However, she remained in the U.S. due to her responsibilities in caring for her recently born child and her other young child.
Retrial ordered after legal challenge
Italy’s top court ordered the retrial in October after Knox appealed for the slander conviction to be overturned. The retrial was made possible due to a recent reform in Italy’s code of criminal procedure in 2022.
Murder case history
Amanda Knox’s story became widely known when she and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the murder of Knox’s roommate, Meredith Kercher, in 2007. Kercher, a British exchange student, was found dead in her apartment in Perugia, Italy, with multiple stab wounds and signs of sexual assault. Knox and Sollecito spent nearly four years in jail before their convictions were overturned in 2015, citing serious errors in the case.
Rudy Guede’s involvement and subsequent release
Another person charged with Kercher’s murder was Rudy Guede, who shared the same trial with Knox and Sollecito. Guede’s DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene. He initially received a 30-year sentence, which was later reduced. Guede was released on parole in November 2021 after serving 13 years of his sentence. He is currently under investigation for allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
Amanda Knox’s current endeavors
Today, Amanda Knox is a well-known media personality, building a career as a podcaster and advocate for criminal justice reform. Her memoir received a significant advance, and her struggles with the Italian legal system will soon be portrayed in an upcoming Hulu series, with Monica Lewinsky serving as an executive producer.
Implications of the retrial for Knox and Lumumba
Knox’s recent appeal for the slander conviction to be dropped is based on a 2019 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights. This ruling determined that Knox’s rights were violated during police questioning, as she made the accusations against Lumumba under duress and without legal assistance or an interpreter. Lumumba, who was falsely accused by Knox, stated that her acquittal revealed the power that money can hold in the justice system. He expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, pointing out that justice should be impartial for all. Lumumba had previously been awarded compensation that has not been received so far.
