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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel very sorry for Raffaele Sollecito?

267 replies

MarmaladeTwatkins · 01/07/2013 10:36

He was interviewed on that turgid telly programme Daybreak this morning. He has a re-trial hanging over his head and says he doesn't know how much longer he can go on.

I'm in the 'they weren't involved' camp, but even if I wasn't, he was acquitted of the crime he was accused of. Surely it isn't right to dangle this over his head forever. Imagine living with that. Must be awful.

I remarked that I felt sorry for him to another parent this morning who was discussing it and she said "Well your sympathy is misplaced." Hmm I don't think that I am being U in feeling sympathy for him, or Amanda Knox.

OP posts:
Portofino · 01/07/2013 20:50

I think it is refreshing for someone to think of Raffaele for once actually, as he tends to be overlooked.

Chunderella · 01/07/2013 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 01/07/2013 20:51

I did feel for AK but more so now for RS as he has to go back to Italy whereas AK will be protected by the U.S. He must feel very vulnerable.

OP posts:
Portofino · 01/07/2013 20:58

They weren't even dickheads though. AK was an honour student who worked 2 jobs to save for her trip. RS was a bit of a geek. They weren't dickjheads, arrogant or anything. They weren't anything. They were just THERE.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 01/07/2013 20:59

Oh but they DID smoke pot, which is at DEFCON1 on the cunt-o-meter, apparently...

OP posts:
Portofino · 01/07/2013 21:03

Don't tell DH!

daisychain01 · 01/07/2013 21:06

I have read through the posts on this AIBU, and realise I know naff all about this case, but I find the media bandwagon, gutter press coverage of the whole case tedious to the extent that I zoned out long ago and lost the will to live. I wonder if 'the world' would be so interested if they were non-descript and un-photogenic. Surely there must be masses of cases that never make it to the media. I can totally see that miscarriages of justice are appauling, but I just can't get passionate about this case, just because they are given greater coverage (and young and 'pretty' which is what the press love!).

However, I absolutely admire anyone who puts their hand in their pocket and gives their hard-earned money to help them, if it means that much. That's what makes me proud to be British! People giving to causes that they believe are important. And I'm not about to list out any charities that I may or may not favour - people shouldn't have to justify themselves, its - thank God - a free society!

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/07/2013 21:11

Quite Chunderella - giving money to ensure someone has a fair trial, I struggle to see how that's a bag thing to do.

Also agree the reporting, especially over that blasted kiss, has been vile.

Boomba · 01/07/2013 21:27

I agree with everything Wuldric said

And I think they probably did it, as well

AKissIsNotAContract · 01/07/2013 21:42

boomba can you explain why, in the face of no evidence, you think they are guilty?

Boomba · 01/07/2013 21:49

I followed the case. It seems there is as much/more evidence against them as there is Rudy Guede. The only reason AK and RS is not in prison is colour and class

Sparklysilversequins · 01/07/2013 21:50

"Potheads" Grin a term last used circa 1958.

Are you very old Wuldric?

Boomba · 01/07/2013 21:51

MK injuries are not compatible with a single attacker for starters

Nerfmother · 01/07/2013 21:52

Can people stop saying there is no evidence? There is some; circumstantial, iffy DNA, witness accounts, statements just not sufficient for a safe conviction. Otherwise it's basically as if the Italian judicial system all bought into the idea of orgy gone wrong and had a trial full of silence.

Cherriesarelovely · 01/07/2013 21:52

I completely agree with Marmalade and can think of few things that would be worse than being falsely accused and imprisoned for such a heinous crime. ....let alone to be finally released and then tried again. Cannot understand those that say this is a waste of people's time/money! What if these were your family members? What if this were you?

Wuldric · 01/07/2013 21:54

So what, ageism now? I am 46 years old and I have smoked illegal substances (and did inhale). Didn't mean I took to murdering people under the influence. Didn't mean I took to mixing with murderers under the influence either.

Winterwood · 01/07/2013 21:54

The Italian High court has overturned and criticised the judgement of the appeal court which acquitted them on appeal. There is a 74 page document detailing the reasons why. A summary can be found online.

This does not make them guilty. They are once again charged with murder though. Their guilt needs to be proved beyond reasonable doubt and rightly so. It means that the High Court feels that questions are unanswered and inconsistencies remain in testimonies which
were glossed over by the appeal court. one issue is that Lumumba was in jail for two weeks having been accused by his employee, AK. He was released only after an alibi was confirmed. She did not retract her accusation and received a jail sentence for that which she has served.

Let us hope for a fair trial for the sake of the victim who suffered terribly.

Boomba · 01/07/2013 21:59

theres lots of evidence nerf
RS footprints in blood. AK and MK DNA/blood

Ive smoked a lot of weed. I have never not been able to remember an entire evening/night

Boomba · 01/07/2013 22:00

On the evidence there was, they would have both been found guilty in the UK and in the US

Nerfmother · 01/07/2013 22:01

That's what I mean Boomba: there is evidence. The weight that can be attributed to it can be doubted but not the existence.

Snazzywaitingforsummer · 01/07/2013 22:02

What is the 'iffy DNA' evidence against them? I thought there was no forensic link, other than the discredited bra clasp thing.

Winterwood · 01/07/2013 22:05

And some sympathy might also go to Lumumba. AK was ok with seeing him go down for the murder. And he truly wasn't there that night.

BegoniaBampot · 01/07/2013 22:07

Wuldric - did you really throw a Hissy fit and report Marmalde after the nonsense and insults you've thrown a her?

becscertainstar · 01/07/2013 22:08

If they were involved then a safe conviction first time around would have been a good thing for the family but a bungled unsafe first conviction, an appeal and a retrial is the worst treatment a victim could get. A THIRD trial 'for the sake of the victim'? It's appalling.

It's a terrible indictment of the Italian justice system that Meredith's family will have to suffer a third trial and hearing all the evidence again. Unthinkable suffering to put them through. They should have got justice within months of her death. From what I've read (I've read a lot about it as I needed to research it for something work related) the most convincing explanation to me is that Rudy Guede acted alone. But quite apart from that, that this has gone on so long is cruel. And it's not AK or RS's fault that it's gone on so long, the whole thing has been bungled.

Nerfmother · 01/07/2013 22:10

Snazzy, it's in the book. More than the bra clasp iirc, there's the knife and something else. What I am trying to say, as a pedant, is that there is evidence but it may not be / was not sufficient to justify a conviction.