10-Year Anniversary for my Crimcourts Blog

10 years ago I posted my first blog on here. 1,322 posts later we’re still going strong. Not as strong as I used to- I post much less frequently nowadays between keeping busy with the job and growing kids that have gotten involved in all kinds of activity. Thanks to everyone that has sent me post ideas over the years, I wish I could have written a post for all of them. WordPress tells me I’ve had over 285,000 page views and over 180,000 unique visitors, which is kind of crazy.

I thought the anniversary might be a good time for a little trip down memory lane.

My all time most viewed post was a legal update: “”Important Changes to Florida’s DUI Laws: Legistlative Update 2013“

Some of the more popular subjects over the years were Zimmerman, Amanda Knox, NFL Cheerleaders, and Ashley Toye (of the Cash Feenz cases). Also, the Sievers case got a lot of attention, though it didn’t seem to have the national appeal that drove up numbers on the others.

One of my favorite subjects was the shark trial, where a man claimed self-defense for taking a shark: “The Shark Trial Recap“

Self-defense has been one of the more interesting repeat topics we’ve discussed on crimcourts, probably in part due to timing. I started writing this not too long after the Stand Your Ground Law has been enacted, and the Florida courts have been a trying ground for that policy. Also, being Florida, we’ve seen self-defense claimed for Bears, the aforementioned shark, and even an iguana.

Sometimes I like to think it would be fun to do videos, but I really don’t have the time. I don’t have as much time as I’d like to spend on the blog, as it has been fun, but I’ll keep posting whenever I can find time so follow me here and on Twitter.

Amanda Knox posted a pic in her old Prison Garb

We covered the Amanda Knox case so extensively back in the day that I feel compelled to share when she pops up in the news. Knox was wrongfully convicted in Italy, and later exonerated, and has become an advocate for criminal justice. She’s getting married in a few weeks, and is stressing about the wedding planning.

View this post on Instagram

40 days left until the wedding and 267 tasks left on the wedding To Do list. I've locked myself in the craftroom and I'm wearing my old prison uniform. Literally the very same sweatshirt and sweatpants I lived in in Casa Circondariale Capanne, Perugia.

A post shared by Amanda Knox (@amamaknox) on Jan 19, 2020 at 3:12pm PST

 

New Amanda Knox Biopic is Out

Amanda Knox

Reelz has produced a new Amanda Knox biopic, as part of their show “Scandals Made Me Famous.” It aired for the first time over the weekend, but I just saw the ad. They claim to have some new reveals on the Kercher case, so it may be worth a watch, even if the show is on the tabloid end of the spectrum. They appear to be very critical of the police investigation that lead to her wrongful arrest and conviction, which was overturned. I’m sure it will air again.

And as a reminded, there is a documentary on Netflix that includes conversations with not only Knox, but the prosecutor and other important players.

The Amanda Knox Documentary is now on Netflix

The documentary about Amanda Knox, and the case of the murder of Meredith Kercher, is no streaming on Netflix.

Amanda Knox Documentary to be Released on Netflix

Amanda Knox

At the end of the month, Netflix is going to release a documentary on the murder of Meredith Kerchner, and the subsequent prosecutions of Amanda Knox, Rafaelle Sollecito, and Rudy Guede. Knox and Sollecito’s convictions were ultimately overturned last year, and they were acquitted. Guede was separately convicted for the murder, and his convictions remains in effect.

Crimcourts has covered the Knox case extensively, it was an international media sensation that “Foxy Knoxy”, an American student in Perugia, was accused of a horrific murder of her roommate. This was coupled with allegations of a sexual nature, most of which were not based in any fact. The prosecutor who propounded these theories, also will appear in the documentary. It will be worth checking out.

For more on the Knox case, check out our Knox Archive.

Italy’s Highest Court Explains Amanda Knox’s Acquittal

Amanda Knox

Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, issued their formal written explanation of the decision acquitting Amanda Knox. The court strongly criticized the shortcomings of the investigation, attacking the case for “glaring errors,” and said the lower court trial had “oscillations which were the result of stunning flaws, or amnesia.” As we have stated before on Crimcourts, elements of the prosecution’s case was based on pure fantasy (there was nothing to support an orgy), the government relied on evidence so unreliable that it would not have been admitted in American courts, and the appellate court that reinstated the conviction did so on a completely new theory that had not been even argued by the prosecution. The court’s ruling was an indictment on the system that was driven by media, and of the media, as well.

This ruling is the final closure on the Knox case, and the final determination that she was innocent of these horrible crimes.

See our full coverage of the Knox case.

Amanda Knox Acquitted by Italian Court

Amanda Knox at Her Trial

After years and convictions and appeals and overturns, Amanda Knox’s legal saga in Italy appears to be over. Italy’s Supreme Court yesterday ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to support a conviction for Ms. Knox or her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. This, finally, ends the court process for them. The actual killer, Rudy Guede, was separately convicted, and is about halfway through a 16-year-sentence for the murders.

I didn’t get to post this yesterday, when it was released after hours. I will try to spend some time on it at some point in the future. If you would like some basic reasoning why I am not surprised, review some of our past coverage on Crimcourts, in particular, my reaction to the previous decision reinstating the convictions for an entirely novel reason. The Italian court will release the reasoning for its decision in about 90 days.

Amanda Knox Decision Pushed to Friday

Italian courts wanted more time to review the Knox appeal, and have continued the hearing until Friday, when a decision is expected. CNN is citing international law expert M. Cherif Bassiouni who believes that even if the verdict is upheld, she won’t be subject to extradition by the United States.

Amanda Knox Decision May be Issued Soon

It is expected the Italian courts will rule on Amanda Knox’s case today. They could uphold the decision, or demand a new trial. The Wall Street Journal gives a pretty succinct evaluation of possible extradition scenarios. For more on the history of the case, please refer to our extensive coverage.

Amanda Knox Decision may be Issued Tomorrow

Amanda Knox

Italy’s high court may issue an order on the Amanda Knox case as early as tomorrow. The Italian Court of Cassation is expected to rule Wednesday and may order a new appellate trial for Knox and/or her then boyfriend Rafaelle Sollecito, or it may chose to uphold the previous decision reinstating the guilty verdicts. The public opinion in Italy seems to be very much in favor of conviction, though the evidence is specious at best. Review our coverage on Crimcourts, as we have highlighted flaws in the evidence, much of which would not have even been admissible under American standards of evidence. The appellate decision reinstating the verdict is laughable under the standards of jurisprudence here.

Regardless of the decision tomorrow, the legal saga is far from over. If the verdicts are upheld, there will be an extensive debate and possible drawn out fight over extradition. If a new trial is ordered, the courts will revisit the evidence yet again.