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."
If she was not white and cute no one would care.
Being white, but far from cute I do believe that you are right.
Oh come on!
Amanda Knox's already written a book, using Meredith's blood as ink.
I think I heard that she was exonerated.
She was but in the small minds of some, she remains guilty. After all, she was in Italy.
There is something wrong with you.
Amanda and Rafaelle have lost four years of their life. I hope they make a ton of money on their books.
stan or satan?
So do I.
Don't buy it, the book. She's a murderer.
She was exonerated. Get over it Karen
Would you care to give your reasons why the Italian justice system got it wrong and you are right?
Don't understand why people refer to her as Foxy Knoxy. She's definitely far from ugly but I can't understand how guys find her so pretty? Maybe in a 12 year old sort of way. Casey Anthony I can understand but her? Oh well.
She refers to herself as Foxy Knoxy, and the tabloids picked up on it. She's a nut. And a killer.
Oh I see. Obviously haven't followed it that closely. I don't know if she's guilty but if her bizarre behavior were any indication, she is definitely missing many screws.
She was given the nickname Foxy Knoxy as a child for her sporting skills but why should you bother to know what you're talking about.
It was the English tabloids that gave her the name when it first happened. Don't twist the truth, anyone here can do a search on it. Amazing how some people post lies and expect others to believe what they say and not check.
Foxy Knoxy was a nickname given to her when she played soccer as a little kid. It has nothing to do with being "a fox". Besides, people in the USA haven't described females as foxes or foxy since almost two decades before she was born.
Oh boy, another "If I Did It" book. Hope hers is more successful than OJ's.
If you buy the book, you will be supporting a murderer.
If I bought your book I'd be supporting an ignoramus.
When does it come out? I want to buy one for everyone on my Christmas list. HollyRae, you are an idiot.
What a bunch of bull, i like that the pr firms thinks they are warm caring people. The parents even had them on payroll before the virdicts, let's kill someone and we can make money. WOW only in America . If someone buys this book they are the head of the class in stupidity
Speaking of idiots Pete, this did not happen in America :o)
"let's kill someone and we can make money" You aren't really this dumb, right? Please tell me nobody is this dumb!
I don't really care and I will never buy the book.
And yes, I did spend 1 minute and 23 seconds reading this article and writing the post.
I think it will be an interesting book. How do we even know what really happened? I think its only her who knows, I will definately buy her book. Look at it like watching a movie.
Well, she certainly does NOT know what happened that night. But I'll be interested in reading about all the crap that was done to her. I'll be interested in reading about how she felt about all this.
She's Murderer ....................... period!
Che has found her guilty in the Court of his Couch.
Congratulations judge and jury.
No. Rudy Guede killed Meredith by himself.
Amanda and Raffaela were found to be innocent (the term used was “formula piena” which is much stronger than “not-guilty”). That is what the evidence says. That is what Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellmann and assistant judge Massimo Zanetti and the jurors say. How do you know more than them?
This all happened in Italy. We are not privy to many of the details or evidence and yet many of the commenters here are jumping at the chance to disss this gal, even comparing her to Casey Anthony and calling her a ho. Without any facts, how can anyone pretend to know if she's guilty or not? Those with small minds obviously.
The difference between Casey Anthony and Foxy Knoxy is that the case against Anthony was weaker.
I thought the case against Anthony was much stronger actually.
What is she going to tell us? how she kill people? why our society reward a murder? This is exactly what is wrong with America.
Jim, you DO know that this didn't happen in America, right? or just shootin from the hip?
of course she is going to tell HER story....not the truth story. help her pay her attorney fees if you believe her, all others refrain from purchasing the lies.
why are my posts vanishing ?