Disqus - Latest Comments for annarbor

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:54:54 -0000

Loz,

You're welcome(blood evidence)!

. I could've stayed here happily, but miss the rest of the posters. Hope you're coming too!

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:29:20 -0000

Loz, Kermit and chrischris,

Hope to see you at the new link as posted by RobertM

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:59:14 -0000

I agree, RobertM! It would be great to get everyone on the same page (literally!) again. I couldn't find anyone when I tried to move before, and I hadn't struggled with this format...But its too quiet here. As far as moving posts--?

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:40:38 -0000

Tests on knife found near Meredith's house
Updated: 5:51pmGMT 18/12/2007

Italian police investigating the murder of British student Meredith Kercher are examining whether a knife, found today near the house where she was killed, could be the murder weapon.

Police have now discovered two knives
The police have sent the small knife, which was non-serrated and with a rounded tip, for forensic testing in Rome.

It was discovered in the undergrowth in the valley behind the British student’s house.

The area had already been searched by the police, but sources close to the investigation said that the knife had been "deliberately hidden".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...

Looks as though they are considering that knife a possiblity...Again it makes me wonder about RS' lawyers being adamant a few weeks back about a new search of the "underbrush surrounding the house".
Things seem to be going RS's way today.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:33:37 -0000

I am completely stunned at the notion that, because they have allowed the shoeprint evidence to degrade(!?) that it may affect the case of RS. Certainly they know the evidence was there, and have done a fair amount of testing at this point.

I can't help but wonder if the Solecito money have helped to degrade this key piece of evidence. I know that may seem far-fetched, but so does the notion that by allowing the shoeprint to degrade, the case against RS ( or whoever the print came from) is weakened....

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:22:02 -0000

Im glad that you're all staying here. I haven't had any big issues with this site, it refreshes more quickly and I appreciate the effort from Steve H to host us. Welcome, livnnlrnin. Jump right in--
Loz, I think that the bathroom blood evidence was both blood from AK on the sink/tap and the blood of AK and MK in the bidet. I thought that all this was found in the bath next to the bedroom, but am not 100% sure of that.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:53:39 -0000

- Perugia, Dec 18 - "All I can say is that the shoeprint isn't there anymore, I believe it was very latent, very faint and therefore not visible anymore" said Saverio Potenza, expert for Raffaele Sollecito, while leaving the house were Meredith Kercher was killed.

OMG--How can this be? In a case this important, how could this be allowed to happen? Certainly this evidence, KEY EVIDENCE, geeez-- the only real, forensic evidence linking RS to the crime--has been preserved!

This makes No sense. They weren't planning on basing their case against RS only on the actual flooring in the house? And you're right

"but now the expert claims that the lack of shoeprint could have an impact on the position of Raffaele Sollecito"
This is tooo crazy...If this could happen, you are right, Kermit. Who knows whether someone has been in the house to tamper with evidence there. In light of what they are finding today, you have to wonder about the "Forensic Experts" that have been in charge!

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:01:44 -0000

Good analogy, Kermit--Does seem as though AK is much less serene these days.

I think she thought that she would be out of prison quickly, and that isn't happening. She sounds much more fragile, which is, Im sure what the investigators want. CW would say these are draconian, Vatican hold-over tactics. He might be right, but without really harming her physically, ILE does seem to be breaking down her defenses.

Loz & Kermit, Are you 2 staying here, going back, or traveling between the two (Haloscan/Disqus)?

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:47:11 -0000

The statements by RS' lawyers might have just been a defense attorney's ploy to show that the investigation has not been conducted as thoroughly as it should...Or might've been a stab(sorry--no pun intended) in the dark.

My initial suspicion was that perhaps RS told his attorneys that the real murder weapon (Which is definitely NOT the butter knife-Ha!) could be found there, knowing that someone else's (RG's? Mystery Person?)fingerprints were on it. I was thinking that it could be similar to AK pointint our Rudy's mess in order to point the LE in his direction.

I am the first to admit that I certainly don't have the answer to any of this....Guess I've just learned to be suspicious.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:29:01 -0000

Thanks, chrischris

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:55:38 -0000

Kermit, I'm certain that there has been some good detective work, and I recall that the Rome Forensic people were brought in at one point...You just have to wonder how an oversight like this happens?

When RS' lawyers first clammored for a search in the underbrush around the house--It seemed reminiscent of AK making noise to the police about the s**t in the toilet, as though RS et al knew that there was something provacative to be found...Maybe my imagination is working overtime. What was that you said about conspiracy theories? : )

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:42:20 -0000

Kermit, I wondered the same thing about RS' lawyers--they seemed so specific about looking at the underbrush around the house. At the time it seemed crazy, because I was sure that the grounds had been scoured for evidence immediately after the crime. Ha!

You have to wonder if this could aid the defense. They can say that much of the evidence collecting was bungled and cannot be considered reliable...

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:56:44 -0000

A more detailed version from the TimesOnline UK, of the interview of AK by investigators yesterday:

Amanda Knox, the American student suspected of involvement in the murder of her flatmate Meredith Kercher in Perugia, broke down and cried during questioning when asked how she could possibly know so much about Ms Kercher's "death agony" if she was not there. ..

Ms Knox, questioned yesterday by Giuliano Mignini, the chief investigating magistrate in the case, broke down again - this time "hysterically", with "shaking fits" - when asked why she had accused Diya "Patrick" Lumumba, a Congolese bar owner in Perugia for whom she worked part time, Italian reports said today. Mr Lumumba was arrested but later released for lack of evidence, although he remains "under investigation".
...Asked how she explained the presence of both hers and Ms Kercher's DNA on the kitchen knife thought to be the murder weapon, Ms Knox replied "I don't know, I can't understand it". She said "Mez" - Ms Kercher's nickname - had never been at Mr Sollecito's flat, where the knife was found. Il Messaggero said she appeared unaware that Mr Sollecito has claimed that he, Ms Knox and Ms Kercher had cooked together in the kitchen of his flat.
..Although Ms Kercher's body was found on other side of the bed, police forensic scientists have concluded that it was dragged there, and that she was in fact murdered in front of the wardrobe by having her throat slit while on her knees. Asked how she could have known this if she was not there, Ms Knox began to cry and refused to reply.

She appeared similarly "confused" when confronted with the testimony of Robyn Butterworth, one of Ms Kercher's fellow British students at Perugia, who said that at the police station Ms Knox had appeared "strangely unmoved" by Ms Kercher's death and "proud" of having "found" the body. Her lawyer said Ms Knox had "exercised her right not to speak" for the rest of the interrogation...
...Sources close to the investigation said it was striking that Ms Knox never mentioned Mr Guede at all, "as if he did not exist", when in fact they knew each other and had exchanged mobile phone calls before and after the killing.

http://www.timesonline.co.u...

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:59:29 -0000

Be liberal, but not with the facts
The opponents of 42-day detention should take account of stories from Italy and Spain

"Yesterday, the day on which the former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer of Thoroton effectively killed the Government's 42-day detention plan, was also the 43rd day that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito spent in custody in Italy in connection with the Meredith Kercher case.

I mention Knox and Sollecito, neither of whom have been charged, because their situation casts some light on the way the debate on detention has been conducted in Britain. Readers may remember that Liberty recently released a report “carried out by lawyers and academics in 15 countries” claiming that Britain had, in effect, the most draconian detention laws in the Western world."

Interesting article in the Times

http://www.timesonline.co.u...

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:10:49 -0000

I agree, Loz, that she knows way more than she is telling.

I think CW is right though, about how well this type of evidence will hold up in a trial. And I think his comparison to the OJ trial is very apt. I mean, we all know how well justice was served in that case.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:11:29 -0000

Amanda saw into the room on November 2 for a very brief time--RS talked about pulling her out almost immediately. All she should have been able to see is a foot sticking out from under the duvet. Perhaps she gave details about the placement of the arms or other leg, etc.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:07:38 -0000

Yes, I think I've gotten to the point where I can translate the translation (Ha!) pretty well, but didn't know if I should presume to do so for posters here. Especially after we've had Belle, who spoiled us with such a wonderful translations. But perhaps I'll give it a shot next time.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:16:02 -0000

RobertM,

Hope you don't mind me quoting you : )

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:14:25 -0000

My thought was not that the mystery couple was mafiosa, but with Rudy being such a small time dealer, his Perugia connection would be relatively small town as well. Just a notch or two up in the hierarchy. And my thought was that he wanted to collect money that Rudy owed him I also speculated that they might be friends of Rudy's.

Robert M also speculated about the supplier in an earlier post, I'd give you the time and date, but...well, not sure how to do that in the new system. Here's a portion of his post:

RobertM:

"... the 3 of them (Rudy & the CSes) having already started in on Meredith, Rudy as the aggressor with the CSes as amused onlookers. This leaves Meredith threatening retaliation against Rudy AND the CSes for rape. (I really think that during the period 9 to 10:30, Meredith said something threatening to someone. Whether in response or provoked, who can tell?) Rudy's sperm/semen/spit/whatever is already on Meredith who has been really roughed up. The CSes are NOT people to fool around with. Perhaps Rudy's main distributors? If so, then likely not free-lancers but tied to whomever runs drug distribution around Perugia. Shall we guess? ("Leave the gun, take the canoli".) ]"

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:54:46 -0000

Here is the full google translated (Sorry) article:

Which continues to declare alien to murder of Meredith
Perugia, Amanda responds to pm
Six hours to say: "I am innocent"

Amanda Knox
PERUGIA - Amanda Knox said his new truth and reiterated his innocence to the judge of Perugia. In the afternoon, after more than six hours, Giuliano Mignini pm with his closest collaborators el'interprete have left the prison in Perugia Huts where he played a new interrogation of Amanda, accused of competition in murder and sexual violence against coinquilina English. The couple was heard in the presence of defenders, lawyers Ghirga Luciano and Carlo Della Vedova.

Lawyers have reported that Amanda said that while Meredith was killed, she was at her boyfriend's house Raffaele urge. Their assistance "provided full cooperation," they said lawyers at the prison. "We are very calm and await the outcome hours of investigation", they added. After first denied and then admitted that it was present in the house when Meredith Kercher was killed in a new memorial, and then before the court of review, the young United States has so far rejected any responsibility pri.

Morning had arrived in the prison and even Walter Biscotti Nicodemus Gentile, defenders of Rudy Guede and Luke Maori and Marco Brusco defending Raffaele urge.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:47:44 -0000

http://www.repubblica.it/20...

So much for the truth

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:10:20 -0000

Probably so--and yet it seems like a shoe that might fit

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:39:13 -0000

Thanks, Loz. I'd like to read it.

Geeez, I have trouble falling asleep during a murder movie, much less a real murder...But AK is a very um...unusual girl. How's that for a euphamism?

I recall reading early on that, before she was arrested, AK was in touch with an Italian magazine of some sort. I believe she told them that the time wasn't right, but that she would talk to them about the murder at a later date. Her memory loss must've kicked in after that, and yes, if she squeaks out of this a free woman, I'd guess that she will find a way to make a buck off it.

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:28:37 -0000

Sorry, got it Loz. Still drinking coffee waking up....

Re: Open Thread: The Murder of Meredith Kercher

annarbor — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:24:34 -0000

Loz, Is this excerpt from her diary? I've not seen it before...