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Murder In Italy: Amanda Knox, Meredith Kercher And The Murder Trial That Shocked The World (2013)

by Candace Dempsey(Favorite Author)

3.69 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

042523083X (ISBN13: 9780425230831)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Berkley

review 1: I liked this book overall, but the author has an annoying habit of describing each individual as they're introduced into the narrative. Some of these described characters were only mentioned once or twice, so it made it occasionally very confusing to follow the list of people involved. There was also a tendency to repeat information over and over, even when it was made perfectly clear the first time. Some of the writing came across as very stilted as well.Still, the case itself was interesting, and was compelling enough for me to continue to read in spite of those small short-comings.
review 2: Before I sat to read the book “Murder in Italy” by Candace Dempsey, I had vague knowledge, at best, of the Amanda Knox case. About a year ago, I’d watched an hour-... morelong special on the case on TV–one of these news magazine shows. I don’t even remember which show. The special, aired after Knox, her boyfriend and another man were found guilty of murdering her roommate, said that Knox claimed she was treated unfairly and that her trial was a sham. I did not give her claims much thought, attributing them to things all guilty people say. She probably WAS guilty, I thought. After all, I reasoned, a court would not have found her guilty.Wrong.Yesterday, I started “Murder in Italy” and had a hard time putting it down. I’m ashamed for the quick conclusion I leaped to a year ago. Not only is it possible Amanda is innocent, it’s quite very likely positively wholeheartedly true that she IS innocent. First up, the Italian justice system is very different from the American system. Jurors are allowed to talk to one another, watch coverage about the case on TV and read media and news reports. Jurors are allowed to sleep in court. There does not seem to be a presumption of “presumed innocent until proven guilty.”Amanda’s trial was a dazzling array of character assassination, wild guesses and scandal. The prosecution had NOTHING tying her to the crime. No blood evidence, no DNA, no nothing. The book is well worth reading to see how events spiraled out of control.Knox’s case is under appeal right now, and I hope justice is eventually served.(Disclaimer: Some reviewers elsewhere have said Candace Dempsey is a friend of the Knox family and blogged on the case throughout. Whether this is true, I do not know, but even taking this in mind, I find the way Amanda was railroaded shameful. I am going to read a few other Knox books to get other perspectives.)The police and prosecutors made so many missteps I don’t know where to start. But here’s a huge one. They wiretapped (without permission) Amanda’s phones and her conversations in police rooms, including conversations between only her and one of the suspects. If anything incriminating would be said, it would be then. Nothing was said. However, soooo conveniently, the police did not record their interviews with Amanda herself. So, her confession and her allegations of police brutality–not on tape. I have to say that this book has kind of scared me off from visiting Italy, lest I accidentally get caught in the country’s “in”justice system. less

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