In the United States, the case would be ripe for appeal given the extensive mistakes made by the Italian police who seem to know little about preserving evidence or maintaining the integrity of a crime scene. The evidence was largely circumstantial against the couple.
The most interesting difference between the U.S. and Italian system was a count on slander for Knox’s implication of another person. In Italy such counts are part of the criminal case while in the United States they are civil matters brought by the alleged victim of the defamation. In addition, Knox’s parents have been charged with defamation in a different case, here. This action is on behalf of police officers who they said abused their daughter.
Knox was convicted of murder, sexual assault, conspiracy, faking a burglary and slander.
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