Waiting to Be Heard

Although I have not been following Amanda Knox's story or trial from the beginning, I remember hearing about her on the news and her traumatic life events. I went into reading this book with an open mind. I also took into account that this was written by her, so there is going to be some sort of bias. As I continued to read, I realized that this was her experience and aside from it all, the facts are the facts.

If there is one thing I missed out on, it was studying abroad. Out of everything I did in college, that it one thing I regret. Amanda, however, was able to do that with the blessing of her family. All in all, she was a normal girl. Most of how she portrayed her life as a college student, I could relate to. I think any American could.

In November 2007, Amanda's room mate in Perugia, Italy was murdered. The way Amanda depicts her account seems reasonable. Whats amazing to me is how naive she was to confess (even under pressure and physical harm, even sleep deprevation) and point the finger at someone else. Maybe since I'm more aware of the law and how it works, I find this mind boggling. You never, by any means, confess to something you did not do. Because even if the truth comes out, you are not a credible witness. At that point, I would have asked for an attorney just so I wouldn't have to speak anymore. The police of Perugia pressured her and pressured her to make her "cooperate" with them and tell them what she knew... and then it got real and they started putting words in her mouth. All the while, she is a naive, foreigner wanting to help the police catch the person that murdered her room mate and friend.

I'm not sure where the red flags were finally seen, but in my opinion, plain common sense was not used on her part. The police put her in jail "for her safety." Give me a break. No witness is put in jail, unless they are a suspect. Amanda was put in jail and then she was charged. Red flag. Red flag. Red flag. Where is my attorney?

In this case, the police were out to get her. I tried to be optimistic, but there is no way an impartial juror or judge could convict someone based on a coerced confession (homeless, alcoholic man) and fabricated (not obtained by international protocol) evidence.

I thought this memoir was a great read. It gave me a real insight into the injustice justice system in Italy. It seems their media is taken as fact even more than in America. Except their media is apparently, used in the court room too. Very sad, truly. Justice is not making anyone pay for a crime, its about making the correct people pay for their crime. All after given the opportunity to prove that they are not guilty, in front of a jury of their unbiased peers. Seems fair. Unless  the media digs up skeletons in your closet, twists them into lies, and lays them out for the whole world to see. Not to mention, the jury that decides your fate. Oh and did I mention, the investigators and forensic scientists would forget about any international regulations and rules for obtaining evidence in your case, to make sure that it wasn't contaminated? Not very fair to me.

We all know that she is exonerated in the end, but I had to take a step back and remember that this isn't just a story... This was a real American girl, just like me. I can't imagine my family sticking by me through the emotional and financial burden. I would love to hear the other side of things too.

So, if you are looking to find out more about her story, pick up Waiting to Be Heard: Amanda Knox.