Knox's family plans legal appeal of verdict
Seattle student Amanda Knox's parents promised to fight her conviction and prison sentence through Italian legal channels, as other supporters and family members reacted with shock and disbelief to the stunning verdict.
"We are extremely disappointed in the verdict rendered today against our daughter," said a statement issued by Knox's parents, Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, after the ruling.
"While we always knew this was a possibility, we find it difficult to accept this verdict when we know that she is innocent, and that the prosecution has failed to explain why there is no evidence of Amanda in the room where Meredith was so horribly and tragically murdered."
The statement blamed attacks on Amanda Knox's character by the Italian media and prosecution for having a "significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution's case against her."
Knox's parents also thanked supporters "both in Seattle and around the world who have contacted us with their support of Amanda and of us. We ask for their continued support."
"We will immediately begin the process of appealing this verdict. Amanda is innocent and we will continue to fight for her freedom."
Other members of Knox's family also expressed shock and numbness at the conviction.
"They say you can be prepared, but I'm totally shocked that they did this," said Amanda's aunt Janet Huff. "(They) actually found her guilty on the lousy evidence they had. I can't believe the jury was so cowardly. I don't understand how they could have come to this decision after hearing all the evidence. It makes no sense to me."
"I am disgusted that this is a country that thinks they are going to teach another country how to have a court system," Huff added. "I don't understand how they are allowed to do this to not just an American but any young person with the lack of evidence they had. I'm really hoping now that our government will get involved. They've made promises that if it comes to this that they'll get involved and I'm hoping to God they keep to their promises."
Knox's friend David John Srue said the verdict didn't reflect the evidence presented at the trial.
"The defense didn't simply produce reasonable doubt," he said. "They proved Amanda's innocence in many ways."
"We are extremely disappointed in the verdict rendered today against our daughter," said a statement issued by Knox's parents, Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, after the ruling.
"While we always knew this was a possibility, we find it difficult to accept this verdict when we know that she is innocent, and that the prosecution has failed to explain why there is no evidence of Amanda in the room where Meredith was so horribly and tragically murdered."
The statement blamed attacks on Amanda Knox's character by the Italian media and prosecution for having a "significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution's case against her."
Knox's parents also thanked supporters "both in Seattle and around the world who have contacted us with their support of Amanda and of us. We ask for their continued support."
"We will immediately begin the process of appealing this verdict. Amanda is innocent and we will continue to fight for her freedom."
Other members of Knox's family also expressed shock and numbness at the conviction.
"They say you can be prepared, but I'm totally shocked that they did this," said Amanda's aunt Janet Huff. "(They) actually found her guilty on the lousy evidence they had. I can't believe the jury was so cowardly. I don't understand how they could have come to this decision after hearing all the evidence. It makes no sense to me."
"I am disgusted that this is a country that thinks they are going to teach another country how to have a court system," Huff added. "I don't understand how they are allowed to do this to not just an American but any young person with the lack of evidence they had. I'm really hoping now that our government will get involved. They've made promises that if it comes to this that they'll get involved and I'm hoping to God they keep to their promises."
Knox's friend David John Srue said the verdict didn't reflect the evidence presented at the trial.
"The defense didn't simply produce reasonable doubt," he said. "They proved Amanda's innocence in many ways."
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