West Seattle Herald
This page contains links to articles written by Steve Shay for the West Seattle Herald. Steve has been writing about this case from the beginning. He has an in depth knowledge of the case and he does an excellent job of expressing his views in his writing. His articles provide a very accurate and informative account of the events surrounding the trial and wrongful conviction of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. I personally recommend that you read Steve's work. Please show your support for Steve Shay and the West Seattle Herald.
Giuliano Mignini filed defamation charges against the West Seattle Herald. Steve Shay quoted other people saying Mignini was "mentally unstable" in one of his articles. Mignini actually filed a lawsuit against this newspaper for simply quoting someone else. Read more about prosecutor Giuliano Mignini here.
Amanda Knox's mom appears in Italian court for libel suit, learns case is postponed till next year
By Steve Shay
July 4, 2011
Judge Paolo Micheli recused himself in the Perugia, Italy, courtroom today during what was to be the beginning of the libel case against West Seattle-raised Amanda Knox's parents, Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, Arbor Heights residents. The case was adjourned until January, 2012.
Two prisoners testify Amanda Knox "was not involved"
By Steve Shay
June 18, 2011
Today, West Seattle raised Amanda Knox appeared in court in Perugia, Italy during her appeals trial. She is serving a 26-year sentence there for murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher on Nov, 1, 2007. Her boyfriend of six days at the time of the murder, Raffaele Sollecito, was also convicted and is serving 25 years. A third person, Rudy Guede, is serving a 16-year sentence for the murder. He has claimed that Knox and Sollecito committed the murder and that he was not involved. The defense claims he was the lone wolf and committed the murder alone. The prosecution claims all three are guilty.
Amanda Knox: July 8 fundraiser, Judge Heavey demands answers from Obama;Head prosecutor flip-flops in interview By Steve Shay
By Steve Shay
May 27, 2011
Music For Amanda Showbox at the Market, downtown Seattle
The Amanda Defense Fund will benefit from this live concert featuring three local rock bands, Brian DiJulio and the Love Jacks, Zero Gravity Circus, and The G Program. The event will take place at the Showbox at the Market on July 8, and will also include small silent and live auctions. All three bands feature members who are either alumni or connected to alumni of Seattle Prep, Amanda Knox's alma mater. Recently added, special guest Tony Montana from legendary grammy winning '80s rock band, Great White! Tony will join the Love Jacks and play a couple songs from TWICE SHY, and some Zeppelin covers.
Amanda Knox and the letter written by 11 lawmakers on her behalf
By Steve Shay
May 27, 2011
Eleven Italian lawmakers signed a letter May 25 to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano questioning the fairness of the treatment of West Seattle raised Amanda Knox by the prosecution that handed her a 26-year jail sentence for the 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox's appeal process continues. They also questioned the handling of her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito's case.
Amanda Knox murder trial appeal hearing tomorrow puts prosecutor's DNA expert & witness expert on the spot
By Steve Shay
May 21, 2011
At about 1:00 a.m. Seattle time tomorrow morning West Seattle raised Amanda Knox, who has spent three and a half years in prison, will appear in court during her appeal hearing where she tries to clear her name for the murder of her college roommate, Meredith Kercher. This hearing could become a tipping point in the trial as Monica Napoleoni will appear.
Google shuts down site run by Italian blogger critical of Amanda Knox prosecutor Mignini
By Steve Shay
May 11, 2011
The popular website that has followed the Meredith Kercher murder trial involving West Seattle raised Amanda Knox, www.perugia-shock.blogspot.com, was shut down at about 6:00 p.m. tonight Seattle time. The site, written in English, has been operated for three years by Frank Sfarzo, who is Italian. He often reported from inside the Perugia courtroom, or just after court let out, and has been critical of the justice system in Perugia, particularly of head prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, its treatment of Amanda Knox and its mishandling, as he sees it, of their DNA evidence.
SLIDESHOW: Amanda Knox panel makes the case for her innocence
By Steve Shay
April 4, 2011
A forum of forensic and scientific experts, and authors gathered at the James C. Pigott Pavilion on the Seattle University campus Monday afternoon, April 4 and spoke to an audience of about 120 about the innocence, in their view, of West Seattle-raised Amanda Knox, convicted of killing her roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy.
UPDATE:Wikipedia founder Jimbo Wales reviews page about Amanda Knox for inaccuracies
By Steve Shay
March 3, 2011
Wikipedia founder Jimbo Wales, considered one of the most influential people in the world, is currently reviewing the Wikipedia page "Murder of Meredith Kercher" as West Seattle-raised Amanda Knox supporters have been for months challenging Wales on details of the trial explained on that page. At this time there is no "Amanda Knox" Wikipedia page. The "Murder of Meredith Kercher" page has at times been ranked the 60th most read page out of 18 million.
UPDATE-SLIDESHOW: Amanda Knox bowling fundraiser nets over $1,600
By Steve Shay
March 21, 2011
Al Semple and Julie Rogers threw their second fundraiser for the Amanda Knox Defense Fund that helps pay Knox's mounting legal fees. This one was held Sunday, March 20, at West Seattle Bowl. Their first was held Oct. 16 at Shadowland Bar & Restaurant in the Alaska Junction. According to Semple and Rogers, as of Monday, March 21, over $1,650 was netted.
New Amanda Knox book released, author visits Marty Riemer Show
By Steve Shay
March 11, 2011
West Seattle icon and longtime radio host Marty Riemer invited Seattle area resident and author, Mark C. Waterbury, Ph.D. onto his morning podcast Wednesday.
Parents of Amanda Knox indicted for libel, supporters cry foul
By Steve Shay
February 19, 2011
Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, the parents of West Seattle raised Amanda Knox, have been ordered to stand trial for alleging that Italian police abused their daughter. They were indicted Feb. 10 in Perugia for criminal libel. The trial is set for July 4. The charge is based on their June 15, 2008 Sunday Times of London interview where Curt Knox alleged that police had physically and verbally abused Amanda during questioning after Meredith Kercher's 2007 slaying, but before Amanda was arrested.
Amanda Knox film now on trial, lawyers issue legal challenge to Lifetime TV
By Steve Shay
February 9, 2011
For the first time since West Seattle-raised Amanda Knox was imprisoned in Italy over three years ago, those who prosecuted her in the Perugia courthouse, the parents of the murdered victim Meredith Kercher, and Knox herself are all unified in a battle. They want the Lifetime cable TV film touted as being based on true events of the trial off the air, movie trailer and all. "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" is scheduled to air in the U.S. Feb. 21. It is licensed to then air in Great Britain, where the Kercher family lives, before hitting the Italian air.
Judge Michael Heavey speaks at Rotary luncheon on Amanda Knox, Curt Knox attends
By Steve Shay
January 18, 2011
Superior Court judge for 10 years, Fauntleroy resident Michael Heavey, Sr. spoke on his own capacity (not judicial capacity) about the case of Amanda Knox which he has been following closely, at today's West Seattle Rotary Luncheon at Salty's on Alki. Amanda's father, Arbor Heights resident, Curt, attended as a guest.
Amanda Knox ordeal causes Capitol Hill's "Perugia Park" renaming
By Steve Shay
January 11, 2011
It was announced Jan. 13 by the Department of Parks and Recreation that what was to be "Perugia Park" will now be named "Summit Slope Park".
On Dec. 30, 2009, Seattle Parks announced their naming of an abandoned former parking lot at 200 Summit Ave. E. on Capitol Hill would be "Perugia Park" in honor of one of Seattle's sister cities, Perugia, Italy. Then, a few ticks before New Year's Eve the next day, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher put the name on hold. The name was nominated by the Seattle-Perugia Sister City Organization and its director, Mike James. Seattle has 21 sister cities in its program.
Amanda Knox appeals to court, new jury members cry
By Steve Shay
December 18, 2010
Amanda Knox will soon spend her fourth Christmas in prison. She is serving 26 years for the murder of Meredith Kercher, her college roommate in Perugia, Italy, killed three years ago. Knox, who was raised in West Seattle, appeared in court Saturday, Dec. 11, for the second time in her appeal process.
Next Amanda Knox fundraiser to be held on Vashon island
By Steve Shay
November 10, 2010
The Vashon Sportsmen's Club on Vashon Island has donated space for a Amanda Knox Defense Fund Benefit the evening of Nov. 20. Knox, a West Seattle resident and current UW student was sentenced Dec. 4 last year to 26 years in an Italian prison for killing her college roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy on Nov. 1, 2007. She will begin her appeal case Nov. 24. Knox, her family, and supporters maintain her innocence.
Shadowland to host Amanda Knox Fundraiser, another in Columbus, OH
By Steve Shay
October 3, 2010
Two fundraisers for the Amanda Knox Defense Fund are coming up, one in West Seattle, the other in Columbus, Ohio. They happen to take place a day apart, so theoretically you could attend both, though no news yet if anyone will do so.
Shadowland Bar & Restaurant, here in West Seattle north of the Junction, at 4458 California Ave SW will host a fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 16, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Rumba Café in Columbus will hold their fundraiser the prior evening, Oct. 15 at 9:00 p.m.
Amanda Knox spends a third birthday in prison
By Steve Shay
July 1, 2010
There are days when the lead story on every TV news program and in every newspaper around seems to be about West Seattle UW student, Amanda Knox, beginning with her arrest as a suspect, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, five days following the murder of her college roommate in Perugia, Italy, Meredith Kercher.
The media, and public, was again consumed with her case more than two years later, with Knox held in Capanne Prison the whole time, when she first appeared in the courtroom Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. The "sensational" event was described by British tabloid journalist Nick Pisa like this, "She made her entrance like a Hollywood diva sashaying along the red carpet."
Amanda Knox book reading near UW campus sparks emotions
By Steve Shay
May 28, 2010
Seattle area resident Candace Dempsey, journalist, and author of "Murder in Italy" which covers what Italians have coined "The Crime of the Century," the slaying of Meredith Kercher, the conviction of West Seattle UW student Amanda Knox, her boyfriend of six days, Raffaele Sollecito, and drifter Rudy Guede, spoke at the University Book Store just blocks from the campus Knox attended college prior to her move to study in Italy.
UPDATE: Article on Amanda Knox's TV interview inaccurate
By Steve Shay
May 16, 2010
An article appearing in the British Newspaper Telegraph's online edition that Amanda Knox will appear on a TV interview is inaccurate, according to Amanda Knox's stepfather, Chris Mellas, reached in Perugia, Italy by the West Seattle Herald. Such an interview would be of great interest as it would be the first time Knox would have spoken to the public since her murder conviction of her college roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox is currently serving 26 years in prison for the murder. She is appealing that verdict.
New Amanda Knox book promises to expose, uncover mysteries | West Seattle Herald / White Center News
By Steve Shay
April 16, 2010
Seattle journalist Candace Dempsey interviewed Amanda Knox's family both in West Seattle and Italy, and many others, while extensively investigating the murder of Knox's British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy.
Amanda Knox’s persona explored in new & upgraded websites
By Steve Shay
April 5, 2010
Four months have passed since the guilty verdicts were reached for West Seattle UW student, Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, for the murder of Knox’s roommate, Meredith Kercher, stabbed to death in that historic college town Nov. 1, 2007. Unemployed drifter, Rudy Guede, was also found guilty, but that verdict was reached over a year ago. In mid-March of this year a 427-page “motivation document” was released in Italian. Judges from the court there issued it spelling out the motive for the murder. Knox’s family is appealing the verdict.
According to that document, the motive for Knox and Sollecito to kill Ms. Kercher was marijuana that triggered a violent rage. Since Knox was first arrested the prosecution changed her motive four times, from a “cult sacrifice,” to a “sex-orgy-gone-wrong,” to “theft of 300 Euros,” to “jealousy,” to “a rage caused by smoking marijuana.”
A new, robust “pro-Amanda” website capitalizes on this “refer madness” motive, and other aspects of the case it finds troubling, called www.injusticeinperugia.org, started by an American, Bruce Fisher.
Amanda Knox documentary "not what we signed up for"
By Steve Shay
March 25, 2010
"The Trials of Amanda Knox," is a documentary about the West Seattle U.W. student currently serving a 26-year jail sentence outside Perugia, Italy for the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher there. The film was released on Great Britain cable TV early January. An American version of that release will air in Seattle on TLC, The Learning Channel, this Sunday, March 28, 8pm.
Steve wrote an article March 22, 2010 leading up to the viewing of the documentary discussed above. Steve talks with Chris Mellas about the different versions of the documentary that have been made.
Amanda Knox family may appeal $55,000 law suit victory
By Steve Shay
March 22, 2010
Amanda Knox was awarded $55,000 by the Italian court Thursday, March 18, for the theft of her personal notebooks and unauthorized photographs by Corriere Della Sera journalist Fiorenza Sarzanini.
UPDATE: Cellmate's deposition & 427 page "motivation" document may clear Amanda Knox
By Steve Shay
March 6, 2010
Rudy Guede, the first person convicted of killing Meredith Kercher, told his former prison cellmate that West Seattle UW student, Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, also convicted of the murder, were not present at the murder scene. Guede's cellmate claims that Guede told him there was another person with him on the night of the murder.
The cellmate made a formal videotaped statement that has been submitted to the prosecutor's office in Perugia, Italy, where Ms. Kercher's murder took place and where the case was heard.
This article also discusses the 427-page "motivation" issued Thursday, March 4, 2010.
Amanda Knox head prosecutor charged with 'abuse of power'
By Steve Shay
January 31, 2010
Just five days prior to the Amanda Knox fundraiser at the Comedy Underground, the head prosecutor who convicted her of murder was himself convicted for his mishandling of a separate murder case.
Knox says cop misread yoga move
By Steve Shay
March 2, 2009
In this article Steve discusses the famous accusation that Amanda Knox was doing cartwheels at the police station. As it turns out, she wasn't doing cartwheels after all.
Friends, family show support for Amanda Knox
By Steve Shay
February 1, 2009
A fundraiser was held Saturday night at Salty's for Amanda Knox's legal defense fund. Knox, 21, has been sitting in an Italian prison for over a year awaiting trial for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy, which took place in 2007, the day after Halloween.
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