Amanda Knox re-convicted of criminal slander in Italy in case linked to her quashed murder conviction

 

I've been following Amanda Knox's case for years. (I even took students to one of the courtrooms in Florence.) The lesser-known charges were criminal defamation of police (overturned) but years ago she was convicted of that crime when she mentioned a bartender as a possible suspect. Recently, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that her confession was coerced so she just went back to court to clear that – a decade ago, she was sentenced to 3 years (but got time served since she was in jail for 4 years) and then left the country. The lower court just ruled against her. (There will be an appeal.)

In Internet Law, we go over some country laws of criminal libel.

Side Note: A colleague of mine did DNA forensic work on the homicide charge.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-italy-trial-slander-meredith-kercher-murder/

 

In Memoriam: Innocence Project Founding Board Member and Exoneree Calvin Johnson

 

Calvin Johnson was wrongly convicted of a crime and was fortunate that the Georgia Innocence Project assisted in securing his freedom.  I posted this comment on Facebook to Greg Hampikian, a DNA expert and guest speaker in my class over the years.  Greg helped prove Mr. Johnson's innocence, and the two wrote a book together about the experience.

In Memoriam

Posted on Greg's Facebook Page: Very sad to hear about Calvin's passing. He was an inspiring, hopeful, and forgiving person, and the two of you were a dynamic duo in writing Exit to Freedom. I remember when we brought our science and law classes to hear him speak at Clayton State in the late 1990s. You went up to him afterward to say something. That may have been the beginning of your friendship with him? My thoughts are with Calvin and supporting innocence projects in Georgia and across the country. Perry