Amanda Knox is back on U.S. soil after four years in prison and a media-circus trial connected to a high-profile slaying. She returns to an uncertain life in America.
Instead of a buoyant college student growing in self-assurance, snippets and courtroom soundbites have shown a trembling, sobbing woman-child accused of unspeakable acts of wickedness.
On Monday, a five-woman, three-man Italian jury overturned Knox's conviction on the five most serious charges in Meredith Kercher's death. She was immediately released from prison.
Knox, 24, arrived back in Seattle, her hometown, Tuesday evening.
Her family and small network of friends, which have sustained her in a foreign prison, will be even more important to her now as she readjusts, said Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and author of "Anatomy of a Secret Life."
“Unlike a lot of people who go to prison and have tremendous problems re-acclimating and who aren’t perhaps a young person still struggling to find out what to do with their life, she still has time,” Saltz said.
Going forward, Knox now has a chance to finally reclaim and craft her image, Saltz said. And she may do fine, at least publicly.
“Once you have tremendous notoriety, the kind of things that may come your way may be of a specific sort, giving interviews and so on,” she said.
Indeed, Knox may find it cathartic to write a book, a venture that would be publicly risky but financially beneficial.
“From a public standpoint, it’s the timing," said Josh Kaplow, a psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Profiting financially from a traumatic experience, I think there’s nothing wrong with that, if it helps tell her story. The pitfalls are twofold: The timing of it is one. If the book is out in the first few months of her being home, people could say, 'Well, how traumatic was it that she’s able to write a book in such a short time?' On the other hand, there’s lots of research that shows it’s actually very helpful psychologically to write about a traumatic event."
Meanwhile, the pop culture obsession with the case continues. Lifetime, which produced a TV movie about the infamous case, is amending the film in the wake of the successful appeal. "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" will air Tuesday night and again Saturday.
A full-length movie may not be far behind. The Guardian reported that filmmaker Michael Winterbottom may be tapped to make a movie about the Knox-Kercher case, starring Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth.
For the real Amanda Knox, it may be tough to make real friends. “In terms of the substantive things that can make life fulfilling and bring contentment, being intimate can bring negative consequences,” Saltz said.
Already understandably wary and mistrustful of media types, she will likely be equally put off by newcomers in her life, Saltz said.
“It could be hard to blend in. It could make relationships tricky,” she said.
Overheard on CNN.com: Knox innocent, readers say
Whatever happens, Knox is a changed person.
“It’s unlikely to literally pick up where you left off,” Saltz said. “She has definitely changed. Living through the trauma of your roommate being murdered, being incarcerated, all these things change you.”
Seeking justice for Meredith Kercher
"But having a trauma such as this and overcoming it, which she has, can build an incredible resilience.”
Hustler magazine. Plus a movie of the week and a few paid interviews. I predict that is her future.
Damn Ted, you stole my thinder. I was thinking the same thing the moment I saw the headline. 😛
Add to that paid interviews by the Oprah types on daytime TV, a book deal, a workout video (e.g. How Cartwheels Kept me in Shape in Prison), cosmetic commercials, DWTS, Survivor, and after she marries, The Desperate Housewives of Seattle. The USA knows how to treat its murderers!!!
I bet she starts dating Charie Sheen.
She should date Berlusconi: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/a-match-made-in-italy/
IM GOING TO DISNEY WOOOORLD !
"Instead of a buoyant college student growing in self-assurance, snippets and courtroom soundbites have shown a trembling, sobbing shell of a woman-child accused of unspeakable acts of wickedness."
I completely disagree with this comment. Of course, she was emotional when giving her courtroom speech (her entire life was on the line!). And, of course, she broke down when she heard that her four-year ordeal was over. However, that doesn't make her a "shell of a woman-child". I presume anyone who has gone through what she's gone through has matured in ways other 24-year-olds can't even grasp. To call her a "trembling, sobbing woman-child" is thus quite an insult.
To call her a "trembling, sobbing woman-child" is thus quite an insult – and condescending at that! I think she handle herself as well as her final speech with incredible poise. She's far removed from being a "child". What an odd thing to call someone who just survived 4 years in prison.
She seems a lot more poised and grateful than most people would be in that situation, which seems mature to me.
"Lifetime, which produced a TV movie about the infamous case, is amending the film in the wake of the successful appeal."
Lifetime is amending the movie. Wow, that's rich. Considering that they didn't seem to care about her at all when they released their moving DURING the appeal process. Now they're trying to fix their mistake? Too little, too late, I'd say.
Are they doing to put her back in jail when she gets over here? That way she could finish serving out her sentence here in the US.
You haven't been paying attention, have you?
Go back to sleep Jimmy. lol
You mean besides the movie and book deals ? Staying the hell out of europe.
So, she writes the book for cathartic reasons, but she doesn't release it right away.
Problem solved.
Or keeps it private.
Maybe it's just how I look at things, but I find the facial expression of the guard behind her interesting. She seems surprised, but is she happy about what she heard or just shocked?
It reminds me of a couple of other expressions; Kardashian's look of "You've got to be kidding" (one of OJ's lawyers, no less) and the Israeli guard's expression of disbelief when Demjanjuk's conviction was overturned. Maybe this could be the theme of a CNN gallery.
Nah, that's just the guard's O-face!
I noticed the guard's expression, too. She seems surprised and happy, as if she believes Amanda's innocent.
@bobcat2u:
That should go without saying, but it probably won't...watch-she'll probably want to finish her studies there...
What's next? CNN will need a replacement for Piers Morgan soon.
NOBODY CARES ABOUT KNOX, THIS IS AN INSULT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY THEN TO TALK ABOUT SOME TRIVIAL SUPPOSED MURDER THAT HAPPENED IN ITALY JUST BECAUSE SHE IS AMERICAN!!! WHAT ABOUT THE STARVING CHILDREN IN AFRICA? WHAT ABOUT THE OCCUPATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST?! WHAT ABOUT OUR LOOMING COMPLETE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE? Oh that's right, nobody cares.
Just wondering how you'd feel if you were locked up in an Italian prison for a crime you didn't commit. You actually might want the US to be interested in your case. Just sayin' ...
You mean why are people interested in a young rapist from Africa who kill Brits and blame Americans to cut a deal with corrupt Italian officials?
Let's feed her to the starving children in Africa!!!
I hope she mooned Italy from the plane as she was taxiing to her freedom!