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."
This drama won;t end until Knox does herself in again. Karma . It;s coming,. Just aski OJ.. Our media play this into Americans vs Italians and the bleeding hearts bought it.
You are so ignorant it is not worth responding to. PFFT
The evidence just wasn't there. When the movie is made, Déborah François would be perfect as a look alike. Google her to see.
Woremongers?
Good. More power to her. Let her capitalize from her false imprisonment as much as she can.
She was there when the crime happened. She is guilty as OJ
James Taylor. When he's not writing songs or touring, he enjoys spying on crimes in progress.
Steve, that was funny!
funny how everyone takes a story, and then becomes judge and jury based on what the media portrays. Were any of you in that court room? Did any of you see evidence? How can you decide someones fate and judge whether they are guilty or not, based on a few facts in the media? Good god, I sure hope none of you end up in a situation that may very well be out of your control. Many innocent people are convicted every day...would be nice if people stopped passing judgment based on half truths....
ME–Thanks for your excellent response. (In fact, it is the only intelligent response possible.)
But this is the nation of sweeping other people's doorsteps!! What fun is life if I can't judge others from the moral high ground that is my religion, perspective, up-bringing!?
/humor.off
She was convicted to three years in prison for lying about this murder. She also changed her story constantly. These are facts, not opinions. Educate yourself.
THere were plenty of evidence. She was present when her roommate was killed. BTW will she share the profits of this book and the movie to come with the family of the girl who she killed?
yeah but the only evidence any of us saw was pushed by the media, you where not there, therefore, you cannot judge. IT's a proven fact that many innocent people are convicted on a daily bases...probably by jury's like you who base a persons guilt on half truths.
Hey, Sweet Baby James, how do you know "She was present when her roommate was killed"? They sure didn't prove it in court. Quite the contrary in fact. What the source of your inside info? Were you in the living room singing?
James Taylor, where do you get your information? You apparently have some insight to this case that the Italian authorities could not produce. Based on the information that I've read from a number of investigative sources, Amanda and Raffelle were not present during the crime. How could two star-crossed, pot heads so neatly clean up the scene as to remove all evidence of their presence while leaving Rudy G's DNA all over Meredith's room? None of us were there so none of us can sit in judgement. Juries and judges heard the information and made their decisions.
Knox admitted she was in the room – Google 'Amanda Knox note' and read all about it. She only changed her story because the truth incriminated her – that's what criminals do, and Knox is a convicted criminal. And a proven liar. Her book will be part of a clean-up operation which started in November 2007.
She owes Meredith's family nothing because she did not kill her. Why don't you find out if the Perugia government is going to compensate Meredith's family? They're the ones who let her kill run the streets.
She was not present when Meredith Kercher was killed, that was the view of the Italian appeals court. There was no evidence placing her at the scene, therefore she could not have committed the crime. That is why she was acquitted.
PLEASE let there be a nude centerfold!
Of all the disgusting .....hmmm...yeah ok works for me!
She's a kid man, no way.
Geez "Tom", aren't you just a little bit embarrassed now that you can see your comment in print? Seriously, what would your mother think of that? –or your sister? or wife? or girlfriend?
all right amada the ones in prison falsely in the usa got millions you should get something for years lost
Like all guilters, Nick San Diego, you have absolutely no knowledge of who Amanda Knox is. I hope you read her book. It may turn your life around.
She's free. She writes a book. She collects a check(s) and royalties. The end.
No good murdering b...
Where you present when it happened, or did you just get your facts from the Media? I hope you never are blamed for something you may not have done. Before anyone judges someone, perhaps they should make sure their facts are not base solely on what was printed by media
once a killer, always a killer, she will kill again in few years
Who are you to decide if she is guilty or not guilty..Where you present when it happened, or did you just get your facts from the Media?
Before or after the Rapture?
She was found innicent of the crime, due to the fact that there was zero evidence against her.
She was found innocent of the crime, due to the fact that there was zero evidence against her.
Good for them. Their young lives were seriously disrupted and their psyches forever scarred by this lunacy. They should make whatever money they can and use it to help their sacrificing families regain financial security and to get back to school and back on track with their lives. Even OJ got to profit from a book, and we won't even begin to talk about THAT travesty of justice.
No way..!! What a surprise...!!
She did it.She will kill again
Wrong. I think I could make a small fortune betting the clueless and uninformed on this one.
she was found innocent by a Perugian jury, in an Italian court, do these facts not get through to you?
Sounds like you have a paranoid fantasy.