In West Seattle, where Amanda Knox grew up, the news of her acquittal by Italy’s highest court was accompanied by the sound of fireworks echoing across the water.
“I’m just ecstatic,” said Karen Pruett, a long-time friend of the Knox family. “The Italian courts did the right thing. It was very difficult for them, and we understand that, but we’re beyond pleased that they chose justice and truth.”
As the sound of cheers and celebrations filtered out to the terrace from the restaurant inside, Pruett said she thought the Knox family were feeling “jubilant and relieved and buoyant,” but also probably exhausted. “it was long and excruciating and twisted journey,” she said. ….
Through her lawyer, Knox gave the Guardian a statement upon learning the news of her acquittal, saying she was “tremendously relieved and grateful”.
“The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal,” she continued. “And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends, and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person.”
ROME — Italy’s highest court acquitted Amanda Knox and her Italian former boyfriend of murder on Friday, throwing out all charges and ending a long-running courtroom drama over the killing of a British student in 2007.
The ruling in favor of Ms. Knox, a 27-year-old former exchange student from Seattle, was a shock in Italy, where the convictions had been expected to be upheld in the death of the British student, Meredith Kercher.
It was the second time that the court, known as the Supreme Court of Cassation, had vacated an appellate court ruling in a case that has been tabloid fodder for years on both sides of the Atlantic.
Gasps went up among spectators in the Rome courtroom, where after 10 hours of deliberation, the presiding judge, Gennaro Marasca, announced the decision. The reasoning behind the decision is to be made public within 90 days.
