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Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito working on book deals
Amanda Knox may be one step closer to telling the world her side of the story about her saga of being wrapped up in an Italian murder trial that caught the world's eye.
Knox, who recently returned home to the United States after winning an appeal of her conviction, has officially inked a deal with attorney Robert Barnett to represent her when it comes to book deals.
Knox was convicted in 2009 of murder, sexual assault, possession of a weapon, interfering with a crime and theft in relation to the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher. But during an appeal this year, a jury cleared Knox of those charges, freeing her. The court also cleared her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.
"[Barnett will] represent her in discussions with various book publishers who have expressed an interest in Amanda writing a book," David Marriott, the Seattle public relations specialist hired by the Knox family during her trial told CNN by e-mail. "Mr. Barnett will also assist Amanda and her family in evaluating other opportunities as well."
Barnett is well-known for brokering major book deals with several high-profile figures including: President Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush, Bob Woodward and Sarah Palin among several other notables.
Marriott told CNN they had no further details to share about where they were in the process or whether Knox already had anything written. Knox's family has said she enjoys writing and thought she would be interested in sharing her ordeal with others either through writing a book or becoming an advocate.
Knox makes emotional return to Seattle
Knox's announcement came about a week after her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito inked a deal of his own. Sollecito signed with Seattle-based Martin Literary Management.
“This is a case I have followed from day one and never, not even for a moment, have I doubted the innocence of Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox,” Sharlene Martin said in a news release. “I’m honored to work with this fine young man and let the world know the real Raffaele — a sensitive, compassionate and heartfelt person."
"He's never really spoken about that night and this is his opportunity to do so," Martin told CNN. "There's much more to Raffaele than what the world has seen. He is an amazing young man. He is brave, he is heartfelt, he is compassionate. I think he is an incredible young man with a story to tell."
Martin said that both her client and Knox have been in the spotlight for so long and while she just learned about Knox's deal, she is excited for them both to share their stories. She also said the caliber of Knox's agent speaks to how important it is for her story to be told.
"I think Amanda is very fortunate to have him," Martin said. "It speaks volumes for a man of his integrity to want to represent her story and I think it will distinguish her from other crime stories and I think it will help Raffaele."
Martin said that Sollecito's book will be a memoir and will cover several aspects of his life, not just the four-year saga in Perugia, Italy. Martin said they're currently looking for American writers who can also speak with Sollecito in Italian to work on the book.
She said while Knox's story may have been more heavily covered in the media, because she's American, she believes both of the former co-defendants have a lot to share with those who only saw them through the court proceedings.
"They both have equally important stories to tell," Martin said. "They have both been incredibly affected by the death of Meredith Kercher and will always be."
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Why should I pay $30 for a book when so many blogger Friends of Amanda have already written so much about this poor misunderstood psychopath?
I agree Mr. Ahmad. Far better that you should give the money to me. Your initial consultation is a week on Thursday, 9 o'clock sharp. It will be hard work but I am confident that we can make you well again.
What have you read, what psychiatric training have you received, and what interviews with her have you conducted to deem her a psychopath?
Typical chauvinist.
You're right. You should spend the $30 on an introduction to law book. Or psychology. Either one would clearly help you get a basic grasp of the concepts of 'due process" and "psychopathy."
Crime does pay, and the Foxy Knoxy is laughing all the way to the bank.
After spending years in jail for a crime she clearly didn't commit all because of the obsessions of a prosecutor with a clearly-established record of abusing his office and a slanderous media campaign no one should have to endure, I'd say she has every right not only to tell her side of the story, but to get something back for the years of her life that we taken from her.
casey anthony is next then sandusky
Sandusky already has a book, "Touched", go figure.
For all the naysayers out there, let me ask you guys two questions..
Did you follow the trial closely? And do you believe authorities in power can become corrupt?
Yes – the Italian authorities became so corrupt that they allowed this proven liar and convicted criminal out after just four years. Now she's going to continue 'cleaning – up' in a deeply immoral book.
Right–the corruption had nothing to do with the shockingly substandard treatment of the crime scene, the laughably miraculous appearance of miniscule amounts of DNA evidence that surfaced just as the prosecutions case was coming apart, the forensic testing that was dismantled by two court-appointed independent (i.e. not defense) experts. The corruption had nothing to do with the machinations of a prosecutor who has been convicted by his own legal system of abusing his powers in another, similar case. Nope–because a young girl in a foreign country lied after days of high-pressure interrogation without an attorney present (an interrogation the Italian Supreme Court later ruled was–wait for it–illegal), she must be a cold-blooded, brutal murderer even though not a shred of credible evidence links her to the crime.
The only corruption here is that it took four years for the obvious verdict to be reached.
Good for them. I followed the trial closely, and am convinced of their innocence. I hope they make millions.
Strange how you weirdos always equate escaping justice with making lots of dollars. Sick I call it – you are symptoms of a morally bankrupt, money-obsesed society.
Amy
Strange how you weirdos always equate escaping justice with making lots of dollars. Sick I call it – you are symptoms of a morally bankrupt, money-obsesed society.
--–
Funny, and here I thought being acquitted of a crime for which there is no evidence against you (except the fevered imagination of a prosecutor who's been convicted of abusing his powers in a similar case) was the very essence of justice. But I guess you must be one of those Execution First, then Trial types... But there's nothing sick or morally bankrupt about that...
Knox got three years for slandering the owner of the bar, she and her bf tried to frame him with the murder. She's hardly a reputable honest person is she.
Buy ideological or idiot logical weapons? Is this something suggested by the Patriot Act? By a terrorist-dictator, dead or alive?
But behold, Jesus replied, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:21 King James Bible).
the African guy is in prison, the victim is dead, her family continues to grieve and these two are geared up to make millions. Why am I not surprised disappointed? How Shameful this is that they are going to be wealthy from all of this.
The "African guy" (Rudy Guede) is in prison because he was the (sole) killer, as shown overwhelmingly by the forensic evidence. His being African doesn't come into it. I don't begrudge AK or RS over any money they make over book deals: they deserve it after spending 4 years in jail for something they did not do. As for the Kerchers, they would be best off accepting the obvious truth, that Rudy Guede was Meredith's sole killer, and take comfort from the fact that he is in jail and likely to remain in jail for a long time.
The "African Guy's" DNA & finger prints were all over the victim's body and the room where she was killed. He confessed to the killing and never even mentioned Knox or Sollecito until after it became clear that he could get his sentence reduced if he implicated them. If his version of events were true, then their DNA & fingerprints should have been everywhere, too. They were nowhere. You can't selectively clean up physical evidence, so the only logical conclusion is the one the appeals jury reached–Knox & Sollecito weren't there. The miniscule amounts of DNA evidence the prosecution magically found as their case was falling apart should have been laughed out of the first trial, as it was when independent experts were finally allowed to examine it.
The "African guy" is in jail because the evidence shows he committed the crime. And unlike Knox & Sollecito, he has a history of violent crime including crimes committed with, you guessed it, a knife.
Thy king dumb* come. Thy will be den in earth, as it is in heaven. 50 USC 1801. *burlesqueoni
I have one question for all the people who are STILL saying that AK and RS are guilty. How do you explain the fact that absolutely no DNA evidence of either was found in Meredith's room? Also, you might want to read the explanation that the Italian courts put out today regarding their decision to set them free.
Completely innocent people don't try to frame other people. Knox was rightly convicted of slandering the bar owner. Her parents did something prejudicial by running a PR campaign during the appeal. They too have little respect for process. Making a lot of money out of this situation is deeply deeply wrong.
G for God.