The repercussions of the Amanda Knox case will go far beyond her

[pnwmom]

and her co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito. It will touch every case now on appeal in Perugia that included DNA evidence, and even cases that have already concluded -- which is why their freedom soon is anything but assured.

Unfortunately for the prosecution, the case has revealed a police lab that ignores minimum universal standards of DNA analysis; and police that disregard the standards of evidence collection and handling -- and then a prosecution that withholds information from the defense so the defense can't question their methods or results, and a judge that allows them to do so. (Throughout the years leading up to and through the original trial, the prosecution refused to provide the defense with the critical raw DNA files, with the consent of the judge; they stonewalled even during the appeal until the new judge put his foot down a couple months ago and required them to produce the files.)

If this collusion between the prosecution, the police, and the judge could take place even in a case that has been the subject of international attention, what does this say about the justice system in Perugia?

Every defense lawyer in Perugia must be watching this case with avid interest. And that's why I'm afraid Amanda's and Raffaele's case now is still in peril -- despite the lack of reliable witnesses, reliable physical evidence, and motive of any kind. And, a convicted third party, a known burglar, whose DNA, fingerprints, footprints, and hair have all been conclusively linked to the crime; and whose alibi is that he had consensual sex with Kercher and was sitting on the toilet while someone else murdered her.

[BanzaiBonnie]

1. I'm not making plans to visit anywhere in Italy

Until I can be sure their judicial system is honest. Any fool you meet can apparently accuse you of something horrendous and you end up in prison, so no thanks Perugia.

[pnwmom]

3. And if you're a seismologist, you can be charged with manslaughter

and have to hire criminal defense attorneys because you failed to predict an earthquake!

I agree. I'm not spending any tourism dollars in Italy, and I wouldn't send my children there as students. And my sister wouldn't, either -- even though she herself studied in Perugia.

[plcdude]

2. justice should be watched

with avid interest. You rest my case, "the lack of reliable witnesses, reliable physical evidence, and motive of any kind. And, a convicted third party, a known burglar, whose DNA, fingerprints, footprints, and hair have all been conclusively linked to the crime; and whose alibi is that he had consensual sex with Kercher and was sitting on the toilet while someone else murdered her."