Amanda Knox Verdict: Judge Says She May Know 'Real Truth' Behind Murder
The presiding judge in the Amanda Knox appeals case has spoken out about the case, the appeals decision, and Knox herself - just a few days following her acquittal.
President of the Perugia appeals court Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellmann told Italian reporters that the two judges and six jurors ultimately decided the fate of Knox by following their “conscience” when coming to their decision to acquit the young American of her murder sentence.
Hellman said, “This was a difficult case, controversial but we did what was in our conscience.”
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The decision Hellmann said was based upon the evidence presented in court.
Knox’s attorney’s fought rigorously to defend their client based upon an independent forensics review that determined the DNA used to place Knox at the scene of the crime was unreliable and compromised.
Nevertheless, Hellman did say that both Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito might know the “real truth” behind what happened the night Knox’s former roommate Meredith Kercher was killed.
Hellmann said, “They could also be responsible but the proof isn’t there.”
Judge Hellman also alluded to the fact that many wanted Knox behind bars because she is an American. Hellman did not go into detail as to why Knox’s nationality was a factor in people wanting her jailed.
The judge said that he felt emotion over the case but said of the verdict, “we can never say with certainty.”
The Kercher family continues to believe that both Knox and Sollecito know what happened the night their daughter was murdered and have always said that they backed the original verdict in the Amanda Knox case.
Kercher’s father called Monday’s verdict “ludicrous.”
He told the Daily Mirror, “There were 47 wounds on Meredith and two knives used. One person couldn’t possibly have done that. What happens know? Does that mean the police need to look for more killers.”
The prosecution has vowed to take the case to Italy’s highest court.
