Amanda Knox Memoir: Retrial Won't Delay Book Release
The Meredith Kercher murder case saw a number of things from the chaos of the Italian judicial system, the conflict of three different cultures in their approaches to justice and also the drama revolving around one individual. For any entrepreneur the whole thing reeked of a book deal, and interview exclusive and a film, maybe even an HBO series.
It was inevitable that Knox would have a book and a big interview lined up and there was demand for it, publishers would have been foolish not to want to cash in on this at the first available opportunity. Their only fault really was not realizing that a retrial was on the horizon and almost forgetting that the Kercher family appealed the decision to have Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito acquitted. The book launch will not be delayed, but it remains to be seen whether her memoir revelations will affect the trial at all.
Knox did receive some criticism for "cashing in" on the experience by signing onto a book deal, although a thought should be spared for John Kercher, who released his book Meredith last year to a much more muted response. Kercher's account of the family's ordeal during the trial was a very poignant and moving one, but few people took notice of it; unlike Knox, Kercher didn't have a top lawyer in the form of Robert Barnett handling publishing negotiations.
There are still conflicting reports concerning the murder of Meredith Kercher, and some (particularly the British and the Italians) who are still skeptical of Knox's innocence and are in some ways angered that the media circus has been focused on Knox and many have forgotten about Meredith, the real victim in this spectacle.
It has always been clear that the trial of Knox was one played out in a court where the media are the judge, jury and executioner, and the hype as to whether or not Knox was guilty is one that intrigues and fascinates lovers and haters of Knox.
Should Knox's memoir be published, there are reasonable concerns that it could alter the evidence somewhat, and there were already a few conflicting accounts from Knox, which she claims were made under pressure by Italian police. There is also reasonable concern that Knox's memoirs will be used as solid evidence, possibly even dissected piece-by-piece, quote-by-quote on details that probably were or were not mentioned in the initial trial (let's spare a thought for the people editing the book).
In the last few days it was confirmed that Knox's book release and ABC interview will still go ahead despite the retrial, although ABC has not confirmed what questions the network will be asking. It would almost be foolish not to run with it because a lot of publicity has been riding on this. Knox's book deal with HarperCollins was worth $4 million; a huge amount of money to lose, especially if they decided to delay or not publish it because of the retrial.
Whether or not Knox does return to Italy to face a retrial (and it seems unlikely she will return if advice from a Superior Court Judge Michael Heavey is anything to go by), if she is found guilty that could be potentially damaging for Harper Collins for going ahead with the book.
