The LRB Podcast Why should we listen to Amanda Knox?
Oct 8, 2025
Jessica Olin, a longtime contributor to the London Review of Books, dives into Amanda Knox's enigmatic story, reflecting on her years as a suspect in the murder of Meredith Kercher. Olin finds that both sensational media portrayals and flawed legal processes shaped public perceptions of Knox. They discuss Knox's new book, where she recounts her prison experiences and advocacy for the wrongly convicted. The conversation explores themes of gender, trauma, and the complex journey of reclaiming one’s narrative in the face of societal biases.
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Crime Scene Chaos Fueled Wrong Turns
- Meredith Kercher was sexually assaulted and murdered and Amanda Knox discovered the scene after returning to the house.
- Confused early police handling and multiple people moving through the house compromised evidence and led to a chaotic investigation.
Forensics Were Contaminated And Unreliable
- Forensic evidence presented at trial suffered from contamination and poor lab procedures.
- Independent experts later judged key DNA and knife evidence unreliable or inadmissible.
Media Made A Moral Spectacle
- The Amanda Knox case became a global moral spectacle because it fit tabloid appetites for sex-and-scandal narratives.
- Social media amplified polarized caricatures that reduced complex truth to simple villain/victim stories.
