More of Amanda and Raffaele’s statements to the court

In a story updated 15 minutes ago, the Daily Mail gives a fuller account of Amanda Knox’s plea statement earlier today.

Speaking in Italian Knox pleaded her innocence for the brutal murder of Meredith Kercher and said: ‘Esteemed people of the court, it has been said many times that I am a person different than what I am.

‘I am the same person I was four years ago, the same person, the only thing that distinguishes me from four years ago is the four years that I have suffered.

‘In four years I have lost a friend in a brutal and unexplained way. My faith in the police has been betrayed. I have had to face accusations, injustice and suggestions without foundation and I am paying for my life for something that I did not do.’

… Knox added dramatically: ‘I am not what they say I am. I am not perverse, violent, disrespectful towards life, people, these things do not apply to me and I have not done the things that have been suggested.

‘I did not kill, I did not rape, I did not steal. I was not there. I was not present at this crime.’

Raffaele Sollecito also make his plea:

Earlier in his declaration Sollecito had spoken and had told the court: ‘I have so much to say but I don’t think I have enough time. I just want to tell the court how much I have been suffering.

‘I just want to say I never hurt any one, never in my life,’ adding: ‘I hoped that this would have all been cleared in a short time—instead it did not happen this way.’

Sollecito paused several times and took several sips of water as he spoke and said: ‘Amanda and I have been in jail for 1,400 days. These 1,400 days have been spent 20 hours a day in a space 2.5m by 3m—it’s difficult to imagine that situation.’

Then turning to the night of Meredith’s murder Sollecito said: ‘I was in a beautiful situation. I was about to hand in my dissertation for my final degree.

‘During that period I met Amanda Knox, she was beautiful, sunny, lively and sweet and that was supposed to be our first weekend together.’

‘For me there is no proof that she was involved in this terrible murder and if that is the case then she should be freed—I believe she is innocent and she should be cleared’

Painting a romantic picture he said: ‘We were free that night. Our only aim that night was to have an evening of tenderness and cuddles. The other descriptions just did not happen. This was our simple desire.’

Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 03, 2011 02:34 PM | Send