Wrongful Conviction News an Injustice anywhere website
Washington DC—The Office of Global Criminal Justice, at the U.S. Department of State, graciously listened to a Kercher, Knox and Sollecito advocate who had only planned to leave copies of a humble petition with the receptionist. Brittany Sexton had volunteered to deliver a copy of the Change.org petition, along with a selection of “reasons for signing,” to the offices of Secretary of State John Kerry, Ambassador-at-Large Stephen Rapp and Deputy Jane Stromseth. She expected to simply drop off the packets containing the outpouring of support at the front desk and continue with her tour of the nation’s capital. Instead she was granted a few minutes with Deputy Stromseth who took time from her busy schedule to personally accept the packets and listen to a concerned citizen.
The Change.org petition, titled “Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were framed for Meredith Kercher’s murder. Investigate Italian corruption,” demonstrates the systematic exploitation of the victim’s family, the defendants and the Italian judicial system by officials in Perugia, Italy, where the murder occurred. The 2007 investigation should have been routine, but instead became a legal quagmire for three families when officials broke or ignored more than twenty national and international laws.
Sexton is part of an international group of citizens calling for Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. to investigate mistakes found by volunteers in the Knox/Sollecito case file. It plays a vital role in the upcoming March 25, 2015, ruling by the Italian Supreme Court and is legally required to be free from error. But a thorough examination of scientific reports and witness testimony have pin-pointed a number of mistakes and inconsistencies with the prosecution’s evidence. Most of the dossier is available for public scrutiny and provides enough data to warrant a call for intervention on behalf of the defendants.
In 2011, another group of concerned citizens from Washington State told President Obama and Congress that Amanda Knox’s rights, guaranteed by the Italian Constitution, had not been honored. That same year Italian Parliamentary Members asked for an investigation of the Perugian judicial system on behalf of Sollecito and Knox. Now this international voice of the people is asking the United States Department of State, the Italian Ministry of Justice and the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office to review the dossier before the Italian Supreme Court.
The Deputy to the Ambassador said she was aware of Knox’s dilemma and would pass on the petition to Kerry and Rapp. As it turns out, Jane Stromseth is quite familiar with human rights violations because her office monitors “Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights on issues related to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.” The Office of Global Criminal Justice would understand how violations of Kercher, Knox and Sollecito’s birthrights occurred and why the Safety Net failed so miserably. Stromseth, who has intimate knowledge of the complexity of international law, can sympathize with the difficulties facing the defendants and their families, so her willingness to listen is a boon to those seeking justice and a proper resolution.
Virginia’s 2nd District Representative, Scott Rigell from Sexton’s home state, also received a copy of this important civil rights issue as Knox’s privileges are the same as his constituents. In fact, she shares the same birthright of every citizen in the United States, therefore a threat to Knox is also a threat to every person protected by these same laws.
“After learning the details of this situation,” said Sexton, “I wanted to help in any way possible. The wrongful prosecution of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito must stop for the sake of society, our future, and our children’s future. Attention must be paid to the miscarriage of justice and corruption that has been taking place in Italy. This case never would have been tried in the U.S. or the U.K. because the evidence against Amanda and Raffaele is disgraceful. I hope the people entrusted with our rights will take the time to look closely at the dilemma of these innocent people.”
Citizens on two continents want all three countries to hear the defense arguments, not just those of the prosecution, and have compiled two websites that are designed to be used as sources. InjusticeInPerugia.org outlines the defense arguments and provides links to professional analysis, as well as public opinion. AmandaKnoxCase.com contains the file in question; included is a timeline, court documents and testimony that demonstrate Knox and Sollecito’s innocence.
And proof of Rudy Guede’s guilt. The real killer’s DNA found on Meredith Kercher’s body was unexpected, a surprise to her roommates and college friends and family. The simplest explanation is that he killed her, staged her body and then tried to elude authorities in Germany. He modified his alibi (before his capture) to include Knox and Sollecito using elements from the ongoing Smear Campaign against them in the media. His plea deal included protection from a 30-year sentence if he named the hapless college students. Today, because of his cooperation, Guede is enjoying daytime work release.
The real killer is already mingling with society while two innocent people are used as a distraction from HIS crime against humanity.
Evidence of Knox and Sollecito’s non-participation in Kercher’s murder is now in the hands of people who can help because, as Sexton proved, our elected and appointed officials will listen to an average citizen. So please sign this petition because if we can be heard in Washington DC, then perhaps our voices will also be heard in Rome.