COMMENTARY | The Italian court hearing Amanda Knox's murder trial heard closing argument today from discredited prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, one of several prosecutors expected to address the court. Mignini was convicted of prosecutorial misconduct in an unrelated case. The court imposed a 16-month suspended sentence.
Mignini has proved an embarrassment to the Italian legal system with his theatrics, from accusations of satanic sex rituals to relentless pursuit of defamation claims against those who criticize his prosecutions and the investigations underlying them. Journalists have protested his tactics to the Italian president, noting that Mignini has filed or threatened to file criminal defamation lawsuits against journalists who criticized his record. Mignini denies initiating the defamation cases although they appear to be closely associated with his office.
Knox herself is the subject of a defamation suit for having said the police abused her during her interrogation. Her parents were charged for repeating what their daughter said to a British newspaper. Amanda Knox's slander trial is scheduled for Nov. 15 and her parents' trial for Jan. 24, 2012. Some reports say Knox's and co-defendant Rafaelle Sollecito's attorneys are also being investigated for slander.
With the DNA evidence that convicted Knox of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher likely worthless to the prosecution as a result of its rejection by court-appointed independent experts, Mignini continued his emotional pandering, crying slander by the experts, conspiracy by the defense lawyers and journalists. In his trademark hysteria-inducing style, he compared Knox and her lawyers Nazi propagandists. He tried to rouse up sentiment against Knox and Sollecito by referring to them as "kids from rich families" who prevented family-girl Kercher from living. In essence, Mignini wants Knox to serve 26 years in jail not because of anything she did but because of who he perceives her to be, a rich girl.
It's appalling that the court gives Mignini latitude to cast these aspersions against any criminal defendant without any evidence whatsoever to support them. He could (and should) instead focus on arguing facts supporting Amanda Knox's guilt…. if there were any, that is.
Closing arguments are expected to continue for another day, followed by a statement on behalf of murder victim Meredith Kercher's family. The defense will then make its own closing , followed by Knox's personal appeal to the court to overrule her conviction. The court is expected to make a decision on Knox's appeal in early October. If justice prevails, they'll release her from Mignini's prison.
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