By
Paul Bentley, John Stevens and Hugo Daniel
Last updated on 5th October 2011
Amanda Knox arrived in her home city of Seattle a free woman this evening after serving four gruelling years in an Italian jail for the murder of English student Meredith Kercher.
After dramatically being cleared of the murder in court yesterday, Knox touched down at Seattle-Tacoma airport to rapturous applause at just after 5pm local time.
Looking shaky and exhausted, Knox made an emotional thank you speech from the airport, addressing all those who stood by her since her murder conviction and saying: 'Thank you for being there for me'.
She and her family will now head home
for a huge celebration, with a party believed to have been organised
because she never properly got to celebrate her 21st birthday.
The 24-year-old had earlier been seen at Heathrow Airport with her delighted family making a connecting flight home, where the celebrations at her new-found freedom can now properly begin.
Knox flew out of Rome this morning just before midday local time and arrived in Seattle just after 5pm local time.
She had served four years of a 26-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2009 of the brutal sex murder of Meredith, 21, who was found semi naked with her throat cut in her bedroom of the house the girls shared in Perugia, Italy.
Knox
has been planning her home-coming celebration in detail since the early
days of her incarceration, including an exhaustive list of things she
wants to do now she is finally free.
Notes from the diary that detectives encouraged her to keep reveal the extensive plans she had made, and even the list of 42 guests.
Taking pride of place will be her maths teacher mother and stepfather, Chris Mellas, her father Curt, a financial executive, and his wife Cassandra, plus her sister Deanna, 22, and stepsisters Ashley, 16, and Delaney, 13, all of whom were at court yesterday and led the cheering.
Knox will
not, however, be reunited with her beloved pet Labrador Ralphie, her
grandmother, Elisabeth Huff, revealed because he died while she was in
prison.
The American, who is set to make millions in TV, magazine, newspaper and book deals now that she is home, is said to have been anxious as she was taken to the airport police station this morning to sign various forms - even calling her lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova to check everything was fine for her to go through immigration and board the British Airways flight.
The American tried her best to stay out of view as she arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, but when the time arrived for her to board the flight she walked happily to the gate, with a broad smile on her face.
Today Mr Dalla Vedova said: 'I spoke with her briefly. She was a bit worried about going through immigration and although her passport was valid she was still a little anxious as she was held in the airport police station for paperwork procedures.
'She was calm, serene and looking forward to going home and just spending time with her friends and family. She wants to get on with her life.
'She is a clever and intelligent girl who has been through a lot - one day in prison is bad enough but four years is even worse.'
Knox was dressed casually for the long flight in black leggings, grey cardigan and a dark vest top and she was pulling her own large black suitcase as she left the airport police office to join her parents.
Before boarding the plane she gave a last, emotional hug to an unidentified man.
But it appears her nightmare may not quite be over.
Shortly after Knox's plane took off, Italian public prosecutor Giuliano Mignini announced his intention to take her case to a third and final appeal and described the decision to free her as a 'massive mistake'.
Appeals judge Claudio Pratillo Hellman will write a report within the next 90 days on why he and the jury came to their decision. This will be poured over by prosecutors to see on what grounds they can launch their appeal - which is unlikely to be heard until next year.
The panel of judges in Rome will then look at paperwork from the case and decide if there were any mistakes in the application of the law and if the case should be reopened.
Even though Italy could in theory ask for her extradition it is thought unlikely that the U.S. would hand her over.
Meanwhile Raffaele Sollecito, Knox's former boyfriend who was jailed with her and also freed yesterday, arrived back home near the southern Italian city of Bari.
He was quoted by Italian news agencies saying he was looking forward to seeing the sea, but he declined to make any appearances after reaching home.
His father Francesco said his son remained stunned by the events.
'He is trying to recover himself,' he said.
'He is going around touching things as if he is a child who needs to
take back the things of his life, to acquire forgotten elements.'
Corrado Maria Daclon, the secretary general of the Italy-USA Foundation, which has supported Knox throughout her appeal, was one of those who saw her last night as she spent the night in 'safe accommodation' in Rome after being driven there from Capanne prison, in Perugia, after the verdict.
He said: 'Amanda is really very exhausted after spending four years in prison. We hugged each other warmly as she was let out.
'She also asked me to thank the Italian public who have supported her publicly throughout her ordeal.
'She said she could not have coped with being unjustly jailed for four years if it had not been for their support - they gave her strength and always said they believed in her innocence.
'I have remained silent throughout this affair but now someone needs to shoulder the responsibility for what happened.'
He added: 'This has been one of the most serious errors of justice that we have had in our country and we have had many.'
Before leaving the country Knox thanked those Italians 'who shared my suffering and helped me survive with hope', in a letter to the foundation.
She wrote: 'Those who wrote to me, those who defended me, those who stayed close to me, those who prayed for me. I love you.'
Corrado Maria Daclon said: 'Despite everything she has gone through in the last few years and all the attacks against her right up until the final stages of the appeal, where a conviction was sought with no evidence - she told me she feels no bitterness.
'Her words have always been positive, she is tired but full of hope. Only a few days ago in jail she told me that she felt pain for those who responded to hate with hatred because she feels this makes people barbarians.
'She is certainly very drained but even after all this time she does not have any resentment or animosity.
Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045352/Amanda-Knox-Lands-Seattle-start-life-free-woman.html
Last updated on 5th October 2011
Amanda Knox arrived in her home city of Seattle a free woman this evening after serving four gruelling years in an Italian jail for the murder of English student Meredith Kercher.
After dramatically being cleared of the murder in court yesterday, Knox touched down at Seattle-Tacoma airport to rapturous applause at just after 5pm local time.
Looking shaky and exhausted, Knox made an emotional thank you speech from the airport, addressing all those who stood by her since her murder conviction and saying: 'Thank you for being there for me'.
Scroll down for video
Looking ahead: Amanda Knox thanked those who had stood by her since her murder conviction
Tearful: Amanda Knox was freed on Monday after
an Italian appeals court threw out her murder conviction for the death
of her British room mate, Meredith Kercher.
Summoning the courage to speak after
her flight touched down, she said: 'I’m really overwhelmed right now. I
was looking down from the aeroplane, I felt like it wasn’t real.
'Thank you for everyone who has believed in me, who has defended me, who has supported my family.
'I just want – my family’s the most important thing to me... Thank you for being there for me.'
Her appearance was met with loud applause from those who had waited all day at the airport to see her.
Earlier she held her mother's hand and cried as she appeared for the first time on home soil since her trial at a press conference at the airport.
'Thank you for everyone who has believed in me, who has defended me, who has supported my family.
'I just want – my family’s the most important thing to me... Thank you for being there for me.'
Her appearance was met with loud applause from those who had waited all day at the airport to see her.
Earlier she held her mother's hand and cried as she appeared for the first time on home soil since her trial at a press conference at the airport.
Holding hands: Amanda Knox, right, is comforted
by her mother, as she begins to cry during a brief news conference
shortly after her arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Exhausted: Knox looked tired but hopeful at the press conference, where she was surrounded by family
Reunited: Amanda Knox, left, is comforted by her sister, Deanna Knox, during the news conference this evening
The 24-year-old had earlier been seen at Heathrow Airport with her delighted family making a connecting flight home, where the celebrations at her new-found freedom can now properly begin.
Knox flew out of Rome this morning just before midday local time and arrived in Seattle just after 5pm local time.
She had served four years of a 26-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2009 of the brutal sex murder of Meredith, 21, who was found semi naked with her throat cut in her bedroom of the house the girls shared in Perugia, Italy.
CHEERED LIKE A SOCCER STAR: KNOX'S RAUCOUS SEND OFF FROM INMATES IN PRISON
Amanda Knox received a hero’s welcome in prison when she returned for the final time before she left to fly home to America.
When she returned to Capanne prison to collect her belongings after dramatically being acquitted by the appeals court, hundreds of fellow inmates cheered from their cells, leaning out of windows and chanting her name.
‘All the prisoners, 500 or 600 of them, started to greet Amanda from the windows, like soccer stardom,’ Corrado Maria Daclon, secretary general of the USA Italy Foundation, said.
‘It's difficult to describe the happiness of them seeing Amanda and greeting her and seeing her free now - yelling, 'Oh, wow, ciao Amanda!' It was really, really incredible emotion.’
Daclon told ABC News that as Knox walked through the prison’s central square, which is surrounded by prison blocks, inmates leant out of their tiny windows, waving their clothes in the air, like flags.
‘All the prison was greeting her like a champion,’ he said.
He added that she was so taken by the greeting, she jumped up and down in the air like a child.
‘She was moved and jumped two times to greet them,’ he said. ‘She was so touched, you can't imagine.’
When she returned to Capanne prison to collect her belongings after dramatically being acquitted by the appeals court, hundreds of fellow inmates cheered from their cells, leaning out of windows and chanting her name.
‘All the prisoners, 500 or 600 of them, started to greet Amanda from the windows, like soccer stardom,’ Corrado Maria Daclon, secretary general of the USA Italy Foundation, said.
‘It's difficult to describe the happiness of them seeing Amanda and greeting her and seeing her free now - yelling, 'Oh, wow, ciao Amanda!' It was really, really incredible emotion.’
Daclon told ABC News that as Knox walked through the prison’s central square, which is surrounded by prison blocks, inmates leant out of their tiny windows, waving their clothes in the air, like flags.
‘All the prison was greeting her like a champion,’ he said.
He added that she was so taken by the greeting, she jumped up and down in the air like a child.
‘She was moved and jumped two times to greet them,’ he said. ‘She was so touched, you can't imagine.’
Notes from the diary that detectives encouraged her to keep reveal the extensive plans she had made, and even the list of 42 guests.
Taking pride of place will be her maths teacher mother and stepfather, Chris Mellas, her father Curt, a financial executive, and his wife Cassandra, plus her sister Deanna, 22, and stepsisters Ashley, 16, and Delaney, 13, all of whom were at court yesterday and led the cheering.
She also hopes to be reunited with David Johnsrud, the boyfriend
with whom she broke up when they left the University of Washington to
travel on exchange programmes, he to China, she to Perugia.
Knox's
father, who revealed to MailOnline that he initially thought his
daughter had again been found guilty of murder, arrived home at around
6pm this
evening in a taxi with family members, not including Amanda or her
mother.
Neighbours lined the streets and cheered the family home.
Friends poured out of the house to greet them with their two family dogs
Jacques and Chase.
Curt Knox refused to reveal where his daughter had gone, but it is
thought she was taken to a private location with her mother and some of
her closest family and friends.
Curt left his house an hour later, thought to have gone to
join the rest of the group.
Speaking outside his home in Seattle, he revealed his
daughter wants to enjoy simple pleasures, such as lying on a grassy field,
before completing the degree she never got to finish while incarcerated in
Italy.
‘She’s overwhelmed,’ he told MailOnline. ‘She’s been in
prison for almost four years and to be able to get out and just try to get back
home and get back here where she grew up and everything was just very
overwhelming to her.
‘The first things [Amanda will do] I think will be some of
the simplest things like you know laying down in some grass. She’s been in a
concrete steal prison for four years and the simplest things you take for
granted she hasn’t had. So probably something as simple as that and then she’ll
try to just start re-adjusting, reconnecting with all of her friends and family
and stuff like that.’
Asked about their plans for this evening, Curt said: ‘It’s
mainly really just be with her family and that’s what she’s wanted to be doing
for four years now. She’s not at her mum’s house. She needs some space and
that’s the way it’s going to be.
Overcome: Amanda Knox is emotional after speaking at a news conference at Sea-Tac International Airport
Pleased to be home: Knox waves while holding back tears of joy this evening
Amanda is now hoping to finish her degree at the University
of Washington which was interrupted by her Italian ordeal.
‘That’s going to be one of her goals, getting her diploma
for the university hopefully. That’s probably where she’ll start. I think this
experience is going to possibly change what she wants to do with her life and
that’s still to be determined from her.
‘I’m not going to say she’s enrolling tomorrow by any means
but I suspect that’s where she is going to finish her degree, yes.’
Describing the scene in the courtroom when his daughter
regained her freedom, Mr Knox said: ‘The first trial I had to watch Amanda and she slumped when
they said you’re convicted. So I was watching her and she slumped again, and I
went “oh no we’ve screwed it up again” and then luckily the attorneys turned
around and said it’s OK.
'So it was kind of just like huge waves of emotion
going through that. But it came out the right way and we were able to bring her
home.’
‘You
know it was really weird in the courtroom,' he added. 'Once they handed down the verdict
that she had nothing to do with it we didn’t even get a chance to hold her.
‘They just whisked her out of the room so fast so it was
really not until we were in Rome where she snuck into the hotel that we were at
and we had about five minutes before she had to leave again, so it was a really
nice moment.
When asked what Amanda first said to him after being freed,
he said: ‘That she loved us. She pretty much squished the air out of us when we
were hugging her and stuff like that. It was really nice.’
Landed: The plane touched down at just after 5pm local time with Amanda Knox onboard
Approaching: The plane flies in towards the airport at just after 5pm this evening local time
Home soil: Amanda Knox lands in the U.S. after spending four years in an Italian prison
Hero's welcome: An Amanda Knox supporter holds a sign in support of the young American who has been cleared of murder
Describing today as the best day of his life, Mr Knox warned
his daughter has a long road to recover emotionally.
He said: ‘Part of the issue being in prison for four years.
Is what is the trauma associated to this and when will it show up, if it even
shows up. She’s a strong girl but it’s been a tough time for her.
‘It’s going to take a long period of time, it’s really going
to be what she needs when she needs it. At some point in time she’ll probably
have some comments and statements but she’s going to need some time to get
reconnected.’
Knox's ex-boyfriend David Johnsrud, who she affectionately called 'DJ', exchanged daily letters
with her during some of the time she was in prison and has always
maintained her innocence, leaving open the possibility of a
reconciliation.CONFUSION AT JUDGE'S FIRST GUILTY VERDICT
Confusion
over the judge's announcement meant Sky News and several news websites,
including Mail Online, briefly reported incorrectly that Knox had been
found guilty.
This was corrected just over a minute later when it became apparent that he had said she was guilty of slander before going on to say both Knox and Sollecito were innocent of Meredith's murder.
We apologise for the error and have launched an enquiry to examine our procedures.
It is common practice among newspapers to prepare two versions of an article ahead of a court verdict and these are known as 'set and hold' pieces.
We would like to make it clear that Nick Pisa had no involvement in the decision to publish his set and hold piece on MailOnline.
The quotes were obtained from various parties in the event of either a guilty or not guilty verdict.
Knox was sentenced to three years for the slander, but she will not have to serve the time as she has been in jail since November 6, 2007. She was, however, ordered to pay £18,900 in compensation to Mr Lumumba.
Congolese-born Mr Lumumba was dragged from his bed by armed police in a dawn raid in front of his wife and son after Knox told police he had killed Meredith.
The 38-year-old spent two weeks on remand in jail before being released without charge. He claimed the arrest 'ruined' his life.
Police arrested Knox, Lumumba and Sollecito after she placed herself at the crime scene, saying she was in the kitchen of the flat while Lumumba – the owner of the bar Le Chic where she worked – killed Meredith in the latter's bedroom. Knox later withdrew this statement, saying she spent the night of the murder at her boyfriend's flat.
Mr Lumumba was cleared after witnesses proved he had been working at the bar on the night of the killing.
Knox later claimed she accused Mr Lumumba after his name was 'suggested' to her by police during questioning. Police say they simply asked her about a text message from him on her phone. Under Italian law, Mr Lumumba was entitled to sue Knox because her accusation landed him in jail.
This was corrected just over a minute later when it became apparent that he had said she was guilty of slander before going on to say both Knox and Sollecito were innocent of Meredith's murder.
We apologise for the error and have launched an enquiry to examine our procedures.
It is common practice among newspapers to prepare two versions of an article ahead of a court verdict and these are known as 'set and hold' pieces.
We would like to make it clear that Nick Pisa had no involvement in the decision to publish his set and hold piece on MailOnline.
The quotes were obtained from various parties in the event of either a guilty or not guilty verdict.
Knox was sentenced to three years for the slander, but she will not have to serve the time as she has been in jail since November 6, 2007. She was, however, ordered to pay £18,900 in compensation to Mr Lumumba.
Congolese-born Mr Lumumba was dragged from his bed by armed police in a dawn raid in front of his wife and son after Knox told police he had killed Meredith.
The 38-year-old spent two weeks on remand in jail before being released without charge. He claimed the arrest 'ruined' his life.
Police arrested Knox, Lumumba and Sollecito after she placed herself at the crime scene, saying she was in the kitchen of the flat while Lumumba – the owner of the bar Le Chic where she worked – killed Meredith in the latter's bedroom. Knox later withdrew this statement, saying she spent the night of the murder at her boyfriend's flat.
Mr Lumumba was cleared after witnesses proved he had been working at the bar on the night of the killing.
Knox later claimed she accused Mr Lumumba after his name was 'suggested' to her by police during questioning. Police say they simply asked her about a text message from him on her phone. Under Italian law, Mr Lumumba was entitled to sue Knox because her accusation landed him in jail.
The American, who is set to make millions in TV, magazine, newspaper and book deals now that she is home, is said to have been anxious as she was taken to the airport police station this morning to sign various forms - even calling her lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova to check everything was fine for her to go through immigration and board the British Airways flight.
The American tried her best to stay out of view as she arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, but when the time arrived for her to board the flight she walked happily to the gate, with a broad smile on her face.
Today Mr Dalla Vedova said: 'I spoke with her briefly. She was a bit worried about going through immigration and although her passport was valid she was still a little anxious as she was held in the airport police station for paperwork procedures.
'She was calm, serene and looking forward to going home and just spending time with her friends and family. She wants to get on with her life.
'She is a clever and intelligent girl who has been through a lot - one day in prison is bad enough but four years is even worse.'
Knox was dressed casually for the long flight in black leggings, grey cardigan and a dark vest top and she was pulling her own large black suitcase as she left the airport police office to join her parents.
Before boarding the plane she gave a last, emotional hug to an unidentified man.
But it appears her nightmare may not quite be over.
Shortly after Knox's plane took off, Italian public prosecutor Giuliano Mignini announced his intention to take her case to a third and final appeal and described the decision to free her as a 'massive mistake'.
Appeals judge Claudio Pratillo Hellman will write a report within the next 90 days on why he and the jury came to their decision. This will be poured over by prosecutors to see on what grounds they can launch their appeal - which is unlikely to be heard until next year.
The panel of judges in Rome will then look at paperwork from the case and decide if there were any mistakes in the application of the law and if the case should be reopened.
Even though Italy could in theory ask for her extradition it is thought unlikely that the U.S. would hand her over.
Meanwhile Raffaele Sollecito, Knox's former boyfriend who was jailed with her and also freed yesterday, arrived back home near the southern Italian city of Bari.
He was quoted by Italian news agencies saying he was looking forward to seeing the sea, but he declined to make any appearances after reaching home.
His father Francesco said his son remained stunned by the events.
'He is trying to recover himself,' he said.
Welcome: A sign is posted at a record store in the West Seattle neighbourhood where Knox arrives later this evening
Amanda Knox's family home in Seattle, where a
giant 'Welcome Home' banner hangs by the front door awaiting her return
(see picture below)
Commotion: Camera crews set up in preparation for the arrival of Amanda Knox at Sea-Tac airport in Seattle from the morning
Corrado Maria Daclon, the secretary general of the Italy-USA Foundation, which has supported Knox throughout her appeal, was one of those who saw her last night as she spent the night in 'safe accommodation' in Rome after being driven there from Capanne prison, in Perugia, after the verdict.
He said: 'Amanda is really very exhausted after spending four years in prison. We hugged each other warmly as she was let out.
'She also asked me to thank the Italian public who have supported her publicly throughout her ordeal.
'She said she could not have coped with being unjustly jailed for four years if it had not been for their support - they gave her strength and always said they believed in her innocence.
'I have remained silent throughout this affair but now someone needs to shoulder the responsibility for what happened.'
He added: 'This has been one of the most serious errors of justice that we have had in our country and we have had many.'
Before leaving the country Knox thanked those Italians 'who shared my suffering and helped me survive with hope', in a letter to the foundation.
Going home: Looking pale, Knox smiles as she is escorted down an escalator at the Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Fiumicino
Freed: Amanda Knox smiles at other passengers at
Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Fiumicino this morning before boarding a
flight to Seattle via London
Corrado Maria Daclon said: 'Despite everything she has gone through in the last few years and all the attacks against her right up until the final stages of the appeal, where a conviction was sought with no evidence - she told me she feels no bitterness.
'Her words have always been positive, she is tired but full of hope. Only a few days ago in jail she told me that she felt pain for those who responded to hate with hatred because she feels this makes people barbarians.
'She is certainly very drained but even after all this time she does not have any resentment or animosity.
Flight: Knox hugs a man as she carries her hand luggage through the airport
Security: Wearing a grey cardigan and black leggings, Knox walks through the shopping area as she heads for her gate
Posting source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045352/Amanda-Knox-Lands-Seattle-start-life-free-woman.html
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