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."
Please show the goods!
Finally some good news. AND, new pictures of Casey Anthony just posted to wickedimproper . com. Good day to all!
who cares – she is not new anymore.
Oh yes she is. The whole country is interested in her story. You'd have to live under a rock to not know this.
foxy kickin it
Girl has the Herp!
this girl went through hell for the past four years she deserves to make something off of her ordeal
Agreed!
ah well... the world can now expect a new work of fiction. book deal, big deal. whattasurprise!
Great another killer makes a killing....
Great, another judge condemming the innocent and ignoring the injustice.
oh...and yes, he's SO "amazing" (Sharlene Martin calls him an "amazing young man") in fact "He's never really spoken about that night" just as you say! ...other than to STOP speaking or even looking at Amanda (at his Daddy's orders,) and to even imply in his post arrest diaries that she might have slipped out during the night while he was in his pot induced sleep. duhhh I-dunno!...Come on people...WAKE UP!
She should go back to jail. That's where she belongs!
Finally! Someone who was in the room when the murder took place and can tell us the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Where have you been all this time?
from being a convict now a celebrity..... ha only in the U.S....
Sollecito is from the USA? oh you mean KNox... well at least ignorance is not just for the US.
Eduardo, you are a pathetic loser. You are full of envy and rage and you are a completely powerless little man. You feel inferior and you have very few friends and never get laid. Knox wouldnt touch you with a ten foot pole and that makes you even more angry doesn't it? There is just absolutely nothing for you to be proud of. This is just a guess I could be wrong. Does this sound like your profile? C'mon admit it. I'm close here! You know it! Well if hating on knox makes you feel better, dont let anyone deprive you of that. What else makes you happy?
Why is no one b!thc!n' about Mr. Sollecito writing a book? Oh, might it be because he's a man...he's NOT an American...and she IS a pretty woman?...NOOOO, that couldn't POSSIBLY be it!...
So glad for both. What a terrible ordeal to suffer for so many years. That prosecutor should be prosecuted for misleading the public and costing the country so much for trials and these kids years of their lives. Nothing will bring Meredith back and that is sad, but her family has to look at what is true and not for blame because it is convenient.
Why spend lots of money on a lawyer and book agents? Write your book, publish it on Amazon's Kindle platform, iBookstore for Apple, and the Nook store and keep 70% of the money. Worked for Amanda Hocking, she went from being a nobody to selling over 1 million eBooks. Amanda Knox is already well known. This is just an opportunity for others to profit off of her.
Think about this, please. Casey Anthony does not have a book deal. Amanda Knox has just contracted with a very prestigious literary agent. I hardly think they would touch her with a ten foot pole if there was any real reason for them to believe she could be guilty.