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Student jailed in Italy talks of hopes and fears
Source: Agencies |
December 14, 2009, Monday
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THE American student jailed for the murder of her British roommate said yesterday she was scared but hopeful eight days after an Italian court sentenced her to 26 years in prison.
"I am scared because I don't know what is going on," 22-year-old Amanda Knox said during a visit from two Italian politicians, prison officials and reporters in Capanne prison on the outskirts of Perugia.
Knox has been in jail for two years since she was arrested a few days after the slaying of Meredith Kercher in the house the two students shared in the university town.
"I am waiting and always hoping," Knox said, switching from English into Italian for the delegation.
"I don't understand many things, but I have to accept them, things that for me don't always seem very fair."
Sitting on her bed in the 9-square-meter cell when the visitors arrived, the Washington State woman saidshe "was feeling horrendous" after the December 5 verdict that she was guilty of murder and sexual assault.
"The guards helped me out. They held me all night," she said.
Kercher's body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit on November 2, 2007, in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox while the two were studying in Perugia in central Italy. Prosecutors said the Leeds University student was murdered the previous night.
Knox's Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was convicted of the same charges as her and given a 25-year-sentence.
After the verdict, he was transferred to another prison. Both insist they are innocent.
Knox's visitors were not allowed to ask Knox questions about the trial itself.
Instead, Knox spoke about her affection for her family and her determination to continue her university studies, the reason why she came to Perugia in the first place a few months before the killing.
"I believe in my family. They are telling me to stay calm," Knox said. Her family, as well as a senator from her home state, Maria Cantwell, have spearheaded a vigorous campaign to convince Italian authorities she is innocent.
The visit was arranged by Fondazione Italia USA, which promotes close relations between the two countries, in an effort to heal any rift over accusations that Italy's justice system is unfair.
"I am scared because I don't know what is going on," 22-year-old Amanda Knox said during a visit from two Italian politicians, prison officials and reporters in Capanne prison on the outskirts of Perugia.
Knox has been in jail for two years since she was arrested a few days after the slaying of Meredith Kercher in the house the two students shared in the university town.
"I am waiting and always hoping," Knox said, switching from English into Italian for the delegation.
"I don't understand many things, but I have to accept them, things that for me don't always seem very fair."
Sitting on her bed in the 9-square-meter cell when the visitors arrived, the Washington State woman saidshe "was feeling horrendous" after the December 5 verdict that she was guilty of murder and sexual assault.
"The guards helped me out. They held me all night," she said.
Kercher's body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit on November 2, 2007, in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox while the two were studying in Perugia in central Italy. Prosecutors said the Leeds University student was murdered the previous night.
Knox's Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was convicted of the same charges as her and given a 25-year-sentence.
After the verdict, he was transferred to another prison. Both insist they are innocent.
Knox's visitors were not allowed to ask Knox questions about the trial itself.
Instead, Knox spoke about her affection for her family and her determination to continue her university studies, the reason why she came to Perugia in the first place a few months before the killing.
"I believe in my family. They are telling me to stay calm," Knox said. Her family, as well as a senator from her home state, Maria Cantwell, have spearheaded a vigorous campaign to convince Italian authorities she is innocent.
The visit was arranged by Fondazione Italia USA, which promotes close relations between the two countries, in an effort to heal any rift over accusations that Italy's justice system is unfair.
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