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Pier Paolo Cito / AP
Amanda Knox's story has already generated a sizable media industry.
The appeals trial is over. Next comes the Amanda Knox media frenzy.
Now that Knox has been freed from an Italian prison, experts expect the American accused of murder to become a hot media property as talk shows, book publishers and others vie for her story. That story may have become all the more alluring now that Knox's conviction has been overturned.
“It’s quite expected, and especially since she was acquitted there’s not the feeling that you’re contributing to someone who’s committed a crime,” said Harold Vogel, author of “Entertainment Industry Economics,” a book about the financial side of the media industry.
Knox’s story has already generated a sizable media industry. The 24-year-old and her then-boyfriend were accused of murdering Knox’s English roommate in an extremely violent sex crime while she was studying abroad in Italy four years ago.
The salacious crime and trial prompted numerous books with tantalizing titles such as “Angel Face,” “The Fatal Gift of Beauty” and “The Monster of Perugia: The Framing of Amanda Knox.”
There’s even a Lifetime movie, “Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,” which generated controversy earlier this year after the families of both Knox and murder victim Meredith Kercher objected to some scenes before its release.
Still, experts say there’s still plenty of room for more to be told about Knox’s ordeal, if she chooses that path.
“I think that anything with her name on it and her face on it will create an interest,” said Gene Grabowski, a crisis management expert with Levick Strategic Communications. “This is the United States of Entertainment. There’s a constant market for entertainment.”
Knox also will be able to add fresh angles, which has been intensely speculated about over the past few years.
“She can provide detail of what happened and how she survived and the twists and turns in the case. I think all of that is of interest,” Vogel said.
Regardless of whether Knox hopes to live a quiet life or plans to capitalize on her unbidden fame, Grabowski said Knox will likely have to do at least one interview.
That will either allow the frenzy to die down so Knox can resume a normal life, or set the stage for future media deals about her life.
Although Knox’s camp is likely already fielding plenty of requests, Grabowski said he would counsel Knox to first take a week or so to get home, reunite with her family and rest, before sitting down for an interview.
“Moving too quickly in this situation probably would lead to a mistake,” he said.
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I wish there was some legal avenue to prosecute the original (crazy) Italian prosecutor who prosecuted Amanda Knox. He used fallacious evidence and was bombastic and rude to Amanda Knox throughout the original trial. He should be held liable for his negligent, incompetent prosecution.
""Giuliano Mignini, who prosecuted Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito in Perugia, Italy for the murder of Knox’s college roommate, Meredith Kercher, was found guilty in the Florence Court Jan. 22 of illegal phone tapping, abuse of high office, and dereliction of duty in connection with highly publicized "The Monster of Florence" serial killer case in Italy.""
So Galactic Cannibal says, to all you ignorant American rednecks , who demonize everyone if they are not American, like you demonized Italy and its laws in this trial. In the brutal murder of Meredith Kercher. You are totally stupid, and you are wrong. Italian Law is far older than our US law, about 1000 years or more. Yet the Italian Judicial System, made a judgment to free the accused Amanda Knox in the brutal murder of a young English student Meredith Kercher. Remember fellow Americans, we represent 5.5% of the planets population , and we create 32% of its pollution. But the sad part is, we are Arrogant , Greedy, War Mongering and Controlling, and we believe the other 6.3 billion inhabitants on the planet are wrong. Amanda Knox will now go on to be a very wealthy woman based on our US trashy and shallow media, supported by the mass tide of lowest common denominator in our country. I say good luck to you Amanda , but RIP to your room mate Meredith, in Perugia , Italy. She lays in her grave.Remember that a massive PR campaign and money buys justice unless you are a Black American lke Troy Davis, who was executed "beyond a reasonable doubt". 2 weeks ago , in our sick State of Georgia,USA The family of Meredith Kercher seem to have something we Americans sadly lack ..CLASS.
Thank God Davis is dead........
sounds like you dont like the us so why dont you get the f out becose for real we dont want you
Yes, Cannibal, get out! Return to the place of your ancestors! We have a land of freedom and opportunity, and do not need those who are hyper-critical of our nation.
Let Italy have a quake and fall in the ocean. How dare they prosecute poor Amanda Knox. She was framed and she is owed millions from Italy. Pay up . 50 million might ease the pain.
We annihiliated you in WW2. Pretty good for a nation not as old as yours!
Remember that a massive PR campaign and money buys justice unless you are a Black American lke Troy Davis, who was executed "beyond a reasonable doubt". I guess you never heard of OJ Simpson? In case you haven't....He BOUGHT his JUSTICE and oh yeah, HE'S BLACK!!!!!! Who the f*** are you???
very true..most americans are oblivious to anything that either isnt in america or does'nt involve america..there was more evidence to convict knox than there was to invade iraq..oh..and enjoy the short lived superpower status as the chinese are the next ..come to think of it america owes them billions...
Amanda. Take my advice, and don't buy into the media frenzy that is going to ensue. These people are idiots, only going for sensationalism. Go back to a private life!
Why? Her story needs to be told and if somebody offered you 20 million you would take it. You would be an idiot. this is capitalism at it's finest. at least it's legal not like these crooked Rebulicans.
Why would you write such a thing? Are you that full of hate that you would wish that on someone you don't even know? There were serious doubts about Troy Davis' guilt. He should have gotten a retrial, but instead, was put to death. It's terrifying to think that something like that could happen here, in the US, which is supposed to be a free country, where everyone accused of a crime should get a fair trial. I suspect it happens more than we know. That's the problem with the death penalty: There are no do-overs.
Davis had 20+ years of appeals. All lost. Enough is enough.
a mistake about what? hmmmmm
"a mistake about what? hmmmmm"
...a mistake in what to say or not to say, I'd imagine. Remember, the media will twist your words and deeds to sensationalize a story and maximize profits. While I doubt Amanda has anything to hide, I'm sure she could use some advice on what not to feed the media.
No one really knows who is guilty except the victim now dead and the person responsible. The courts in Italy did hold a trial and an appeal that overturned the verdict. People need to know that they are not any more corrupt than those of any other nations. I feel the most sorry for Kercher's family as they still do not have closure. The Knox family had great backing from the press that helped their cause and I am not sure Kercher Family did. It is over now and we need to let it go and pray for the Kercher Family to find some peace.
Why does the Kercher family not have closure? Isn't Rudy Guede in prison serving 16 years for the murder of their daughter? As for the Knox family having great backing from the press... I'm not sure I've read a more laughable comment. The media is the ONLY reason Amanda and Rafael were serving time in the first place. The media destroyed them.
@Rose wine: How is holding two inocent people acceptable closure for the Kercher family?? I understand that they want closure, and therefore wanted to believe that the people in jail committed the crime, but if they didn't, then ruining two more lives makes the tragedy of Kercher's death even worse.
Rose Wine, I know who was and IS guilty! Guede, the drifter, drug dealer and habitual petty criminal, with a criminal record a mile long - HE is guilty! He admitted it to his fellow inmates in prison. He confessed it to the police! He only brought in Amanda and her boyfriend when he thought he could get a lighter sentence. He succeeded, and now only has to serve 16 years for a terribly gruesome murder. This short sentence for Guede is the injustice here! Amanda was forced to implicate others by overtly aggressive police interrogators. Amanda is 100% innocent! When goons are in charge of you, wear you down, keep you from sleeping, constantly insult you, and treat you worse than an animal, they break you and you say anything. This is a major problem with our justice system today, all over the world. Innocent people are pushed beyond their limits, and will admit to anything to get some rest and sleep.
And aggressive police interrogators will also lead to accuse an innocent man (Patrick Lumumba) who had not even been in that house? And they lead you to say I heard the screams of Meredith from the next room and do nothing? I do not know what you know in the U.S., but here in Italy (unfortunately) what Amanda said was heard by everybody. Guede did not have a good lawyer paid well as Amanda and Raffaele, that's all.
Raf, everyone knows what Amanda said. Lumumba was unfairly implicated and paid a high price. However, considering the conditions under which Amanda was interrogated I put more fault on the police than I do Amanda for what happened to him. How do you interrogate someone for as long as they did, with no lawyer, no translator, no food or water, no sleep and no video record? I don't know if we'll ever know what happened during that interrogation, but it's entirely possible the police essentially planted the idea of Lumumba being there in Amanda's head. As for Guede, considering his history and the overwhelming physical evidence against him, no lawyer was going to get him off.
Amanda Knox is a lying bitch. I hope her family goes bankrupt.
Jillian: You obviously have no facts. Amanda Knox is a liar? Based on what the Italian police said that she said?? You obviously have amnesia about one fact: ONLY KNOX'S statements were not recorded but ALL THE OTHER SUSPECTS WERE. Interesting omission don't you think? Jillian T. you obviously have not taken the time to learn the facts.
Jillian, you are out of your mind! Amanda is NOT a bi*ch!! Please understand that! She is an innocent young lady, who was trying to get an education! How would YOU like to be subjected to gross insults from intimidating, underhanded, self-serving prosecutors when you are innocent? How would YOU like to have four years of your life stolen away unjustly?
WOW, lots of positive post for Amanda... Interesting.
BSU professor's work helps set Amanda Knox free
Dr. Greg Hampikian, professor of forensic biology and director of the Idaho Innocence Project, played a key role in the analysis of the DNA that was at the center of Knox's appeal. After his team reviewed the DNA evidence Italian prosecutors used to convict Amanda Knox, he came to the conclusion that Knox was innocent.
"The DNA evidence was so clear to me that one man did this, Rudy Guede," said Hampikian. "All of the evidence pointed to him it was so obvious. Everything in that room that had to do with the murder had his DNA on it."
"When the DNA comes back and tells you you are wrong, you need to let those suspects go home and they should have done that four years ago," said Hampikian.
Hampikian said Knox's DNA on the knife likely came for what he calls casual transfer.
"We replicated those conditions in my laboratory at Boise State University. In my lab, the team took knives from the Dollar Store. They collected coke cans from the office staff at the dean's office, and I told them don't change your gloves between every piece of evidence, do it between every other piece of evidence. And what happened is DNA from innocent staff people in the dean's office got onto their gloves, got transferred to the knives, and when we swabbed the knives when we looked at those very low levels like they did in the Amanda Knox case, you start to see contamination," said Hampikian.
You are a whore
you're wrong about italian law being older than american law. if you knew even 8th grade history, you'd know our system is 99% based on english common law which is 1100 years old!!!
Is she going to write book called "If I Did It"?
Moving slowly in this case is indeed a good idea. If she jumps immediately on book and movie deals, the media will get the impression that she's "easy" and may lose interest quickly. On the other hand, playing hard to get will put a premium on any media engagements, allowing her to collect larger sums of cash over a longer time. Money is always king, whether or not the real murderer is still out there.
The media looks to sensationalize anything- leave her alone to go back to her life! At the same time, don't seek a book deal or whatever- there is no dignity in profiting off of someone who died
Hey this is the American way. This is Hollywood and we want to know and so does the rest of the United States. Bring it on Amanda. 5k per word uttered. That is my advice.
Amanda is not going to have to work a day in her life after she signs a book deal and a made for TV movie. Disgusting isn't it?
"since she was acquitted there's not the feeling that you're contributing to someone who's committed a crime," said Harold Vogel
Really? so lets give OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony book deals and interviews, they were innocent right? Amanda Knox is just as guilty, and her rich dad bought her trial, that is the only reason she is free. Read the Micheli Report, which is a detailed report by the first Judge who found her guilty and why they were convicted, and actually shows the TONS of evidence the media does not show you. I feel EMBARRASSED that my fellow Americans are cheering her freedom. She is a disgusting murderer and her and her father make me sick hearing them spew their lies on TV. Whats really next for Amanda? A book titled "If I Did It".
There is little hope that the media vultures will leave this poor girl alone. They will likely hound her beyond the imaginable as there is no sense of companion or self-control within the media these days. They are just a bunch of third rate hacks with nothing better to do than chase Amanda and others with a story to exploit for their own notoriety and ratings.
Who are you kidding? She is going to make millions selling this story. The media is only going to make the story bigger.
Good for her
From the total sum of all evidence presented, Amanda is NOT GUILTY! She is clearly INNOCENT!
Some out there have the gall and lack of understanding to say she is guilty. What is wrong with truth serum and lie detector tests? We need to bring these tools back and use them to determine whether a person is guilty or innocent.
As a mother I am sure nobody wins in this case. No parent wants to send their children to college, and have to deal with this nightmare- one child in jail, and one dead. I afraid to let my daughter go away to college abroad. It is scary. The Kercher's family lost a child, and the knox family went to hell. If Amanda did not commit this crime, she should not have pay the ultimate price for it. I praying for both family , so they can find peace. Amanda welcome back home.
Italy has a trial by tabloid system. I hate to think of the nasty things they did to that poor kid in prison. They are hate mongers and witch hunters. What a disgraceful world partner Italy is. And Briton as well.
Italy disgraceful? but they make such beautiful cars
If she wasn't American and cute she would still be in jail and the media would never have picked this up.
This is not news, Today show has endlessly droned on about this woman. Occupy Wall Street is happening in their own backyard and yet they do not cover it. This is real news. Media is in control of the information you get and Amanda Knox fate does not affect your life. Wall Steet Does.
the prosecutor in this case is a horrible pervert..and the only reason the victims parents are so upset is because they can't face the fact their daughter was whoring around with people like the admitted killer
warning to the people that maliciously went after Knox..........you better hope to god you NEVER plan a trip to my town..if you do you might find out what it is like to get your teeth knocked down your throat............and worse.....
Amanda needs to make all she can as fast as she can from the media and then go missing for the rest of her life. It would be awful if she was extradited to Italy if the conviction is reinstated. The trail would be harder to pick up the older it is.
To Jillian T -- You best get yourself to a psychiatrist ASAP so that you can get the meds you so desperately need. Apparently in your diseased mind, you have insider knowledge and were a witness to the crime. Please share with us exactly what went down -- we're so eager to hear the truth from you!!!!
I understand that Italy is going to appeal the acquittal. It would be in her best interest to not say anything to anyone about the case in any way shape or form. Trying to make money by interviews may not sit well with the appeals process. Now that she is back in the US, what if the appeal finds her guilty? Will the US have to send her back to Italy? If I were her, I wouldn't talk about it at all.
Typical americans. "How can we profit from this persons suffering?"
/sad face