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Buy my new book, Amanda Knox tells Meredith Kercher’s grieving family after she is slammed for ‘profiting’ from murder
AMANDA Knox has urged Meredith Kercher’s grieving family to read her new book, after the release was slammed for being “inappropriate and disrespectful”.
The 37-year-old hit back at the claims she is “profiting” from murder in an interview with Good Morning Britain.
Knox was arrested in 2007 in connection with the murder of British student, Meredith Kercher, who was found stabbed to death at the girls’ apartment in Italy.
Knox spent four years behind bars for the 21-year-old’s murder, before being cleared of the crime by Italy‘s highest court in 2015.
Her new memoir, Free, is all about her treatment while in jail.
In the book, she claims to have been groped, and asked for sex by prison guards.
When asked about the impact the book may have on her former roommate’s family, Knox urged them to read it.
She said: “I hope that they read my book because I really honour Meredith’s memory in the book but I also believe that honouring her past and story does not mean erasing my own.
“I am a person who is continuing to pursue justice in this case but a bigger issue that I try and speak to and free is how do we all overcome the traumas that are in our lives, regardless of whether or not we get what we deserve.”
But Kercher’s family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, has slammed the new release as “inappropriate and disrespectful”.
Knox clapped back at the lawyer live on air as she told Good Morning Britain that he can “very politely keep his opinions to himself”.
Knox’s new book follows the release of her first memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, back in 2013.
While on air Knox was asked whether she thought her second memoir could be seen as was capitalising on the tragic events.
Knox said: “Well, I would say that my first book was a very different one to this book.
“I’m very proud of Waiting To Be Heard. It was written at a time when I felt like so many people were authoring my experience and saying what it was and I felt like I needed to set the record straight.
“It was written at a time when I was deeply immersed in the legal saga and in proving my innocence.
“Today, I look at this as an opportunity to share a story of, not erasing the past but really learning from the past so that we can live better lives, personally and as a society.”
The lawyer, Maresca, has said it is evident that Knox is using the case as a “source of income” and an opportunity to “maintain her name in the media.”
Knox shut down these claims, branding him a “hypocrite”.
She said: “Well, I would say that he’s a hypocrite, honestly, as someone who himself has profited not just off the work that he has done on the case but in writing his own book, I think that Mr Maresca can very politely keep his opinions to himself.
“He has always been very much a man who has never, ever considered my humanity and experience and is subject to something that I like to call single victim fallacy.
“The idea that in a tragic event, there can only be one victim, and that is simply not true so I think, I don’t really care what Mr Maresca thinks, to be frank.”
This comes after Knox lost her appeal against a slander charge for wrongly accusing her former boss Patrick Lumumba of murdering Kercher back in January.
The decision has left Knox with a permanent criminal record in Italy.
In a tearful YouTube video titled Slander Verdict Reaction, Knox opened up about the ruling: “I’m a little bit astonished because I had higher hopes of the court in Rome.
“But there’s nothing else I can do… It’s really disappointing because there’s nothing else I can do.
“That means I just have a criminal record forever for something I didn’t do.”
Timeline of Meredith Kercher saga
November 1, 2007 – The murder of Meredith Kercher: British exchange student Meredith Kercher, 21, is found dead in the apartment she shares with Amanda Knox in Perugia, Italy. Her throat is slashed, and signs suggest she may have been sexually assaulted.
November 6, 2007 – Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito arrested: Amanda Knox, her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and Patrick Lumumba, Knox’s boss at a local bar, are arrested in connection with Kercher’s murder. Knox accuses Lumumba of the killing during a police interrogation.
November 20, 2007 – Patrick Lumumba released: Lumumba is released after police find no forensic evidence linking him to the murder. He was falsely implicated by Knox during a contentious interrogation.
December 6, 2007 – Rudy Guede arrested in Germany: Rudy Guede, a 20-year-old Ivorian man, is arrested in Germany and extradited to Italy. His DNA is found on Kercher’s body and at the crime scene.
October 28, 2008 – Guede convicted of murder: Guede opts for a fast-track trial and is convicted of Kercher’s murder. He is sentenced to 30 years in prison, later reduced to 16 on appeal.
January 16, 2009 – Knox and Sollecito trial begins: Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito stand trial for the murder of Kercher. Prosecutors allege a sex game gone wrong, while the defence argues that Guede acted alone.
December 4, 2009 – Knox and Sollecito convicted: Knox and Sollecito are found guilty. Knox is sentenced to 26 years in prison; Sollecito receives 25 years.
November 24, 2010 – Appeals process begins: Knox and Sollecito appeal their convictions. A key focus is the forensic evidence, including DNA found on a knife and a bra clasp.
October 3, 2011 – Knox and Sollecito acquitted: An appeals court overturns their convictions, citing errors in the forensic investigation. Knox is freed and returns to Seattle.
March 26, 2013 – Italy’s Supreme Court orders retrial: Italy’s Court of Cassation annuls the acquittals, ordering a retrial for Knox and Sollecito.
January 30, 2014 – Knox and Sollecito reconvicted: Knox and Sollecito are reconvicted in their retrial. Knox, now in the U.S., is sentenced to 28.5 years in prison.
March 25, 2015 – Final acquittal: Italy’s Supreme Court definitively acquits Knox and Sollecito of Kercher’s murder, citing lack of evidence and glaring errors in the investigation.
November 2021 – Rudy Guede released: Rudy Guede, the sole person definitively convicted in connection with Kercher’s death, is released from prison after serving 13 years.
2023 – present – Knox’s slander conviction: Despite her acquittal, Knox is convicted of slander for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba.
2023: The European Court of Human Rights rules that Knox’s rights were violated during her 2007 interrogation.
June 2024: An Italian court upholds her slander conviction, a decision confirmed by Italy’s high court
January 23, 2025: Knox loses her appeal against the slander charge, leaving her with a permanent criminal record in Italy
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I’m a laundry expert – 30p trick is the secret to keeping your towels soft and fluffy
WITH spring officially here, it’s the ideal time to think about refreshing your towels after a long, chilly winter.
After all, there’s nothing worse than reaching for a stiff, crunchy towel after a relaxing bath.
To help you keep your bathroom linens in tip-top condition, Molly Freshwater, Founder of Secret Linen Store, has put together seven expert tips for ensuring they stay luxuriously soft and fluffy all year round.
And the first easy hack only costs 30p a go, making it a purse-friendly fix.
Use Vinegar
If your towels are feeling stiff and scratchy, Molly says a simple trick might be lurking inside your kitchen cupboards.
To soften towels, try adding 250ml of white vinegar to your wash alongside your regular laundry liquid.
Just pour the vinegar directly into the drum before loading your towels, and start the cycle as usual.
Don’t worry, despite vinegar’s strong smell, it won’t linger on your towels.
The vinegar works by breaking down any detergent residue or mineral build-up in the fibres, which can leave towels feeling rough.
It helps to restore softness and absorbency without harsh chemicals, leaving your towels fresh and cosy.
A 750ml bottle of Astonish white vinegar currently costs as little as 91p in Wilko, which will last three washes.
Don’t Overuse Detergent
High-quality bath towels should feel thick and indulgent.
Because of this, the detergent can be harder to remove during rinse cycles than other materials.
This will accumulate over time and may cause your towels to feel hard and stiff.
Ensuring you’re using a gentle detergent is also important, as towels are made from natural fibres like cotton. Harsh detergents can cause permanent damage to these fibres.
Choose The Right Temperature
Freshly used towels can be full of germs which can make it tempting to wash them at high temperatures.
But while it might seem like the best way to get rid of the bacteria, it won’t keep your towels soft and fluffy.
Like harsh detergents, hot water can strip the natural fibres of their softness, leaving them rough and less absorbent.
To keep them fresh and soft, Molly recommends washing your towels at a cooler temperature, between 30 and 40 degrees.
Give Them Space
It might feel easier to just toss all the family’s bath towels into the wash at once, but this won’t actually help with softness or cleanliness.
When there are too many towels in the machine, the detergent and fabric conditioner can’t rinse out properly.
For the best results, try washing your towels in smaller loads. This way, the detergent gets a chance to properly rinse out, leaving your towels feeling soft, fluffy, and ready to use after every wash.
Drying Tips For Soft Fluffy Towels
A tumble dryer can be great for softening towels, but overdoing it can lead to over-drying and that rough, sandpaper feel.
To get the best results, dry your towels on a low heat setting so they’re not completely dried out, or hang them outside on a windy day.
The wind will help agitate the fibres and keep them soft.
If you’re using a tumble dryer, try adding a tennis ball or dryer ball to speed up drying and fluff up your towels.
For a more eco-friendly option, hang them to dry and finish with a quick 20-minute tumble on a cool setting to keep them nice and fluffy.
Shake Before and After Drying
To keep towels soft and absorbent, give them a good shake before drying, whether in a tumble dryer or on the line.
This helps loosen the fibres and allows better airflow. Once dry, shake them again to prevent stiffness and maintain their fluffiness.
Store Towels Loosley
Folding towels too tightly or stacking them under heavy piles can flatten the fibres, making them feel stiff over time.
To keep them soft and absorbent, store them loosely with some space for air to circulate. This helps maintain their fluffiness and keeps them fresher for longer.
I’m a chef who gave up my restaurant to work with Prem ace – here’s secret ingredient that has helped him win 9 trophies
PREMIER LEAGUE footballers often have strict diets but one superstar uses a special ingredient to get ahead.
Broth – for soup, to use in rice or even to DRINK.
That is the ingredient one Manchester City star eats every day, often multiple times.
His personal chef Diogo Prego is a big believer in the ingredient due to its health benefits, as he makes sure his client maintains a healthy diet.
Diogo told SunSport: “It is always in the freezer and I use it for soup, to cook rice and even to drink. Beef broth is very healthy and full of collagen.
“We use natural food like steaks, spinach, broccoli – all this healthy stuff.
“He does not eat sugar, we follow a healthy diet with lots of broth – broth that I prepare for him.”
No sugar means thinking outside the box when making snacks and cookies.
Diogo does his grocery shopping every day in Manchester’s Northern Quarter to ensure the City star always eats the freshest ingredients.
The player he works for is a big fan of Poke bowls and Pad thai pre and post-match but his favourite is a cod dish from back home called Bacalhau à Brás – a mix of salt cod, potatoes, onions and eggs.
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Diogo is proud he has opened up the Prem winner to new dishes although he still likes his cheat meals – burgers and pizzas.
He continued: “Pre-match and post-match we need to do slow-absortion carbs, nice protein and fruits.
“Barley, homemade pasta. Post-match normally it is a poke bowl, it is full of omega three, carbs. It is great for recovery.
“I prepare all the time homemade protein bars, homemade cookies without sugar. Immunity boosts which I batch cook.”
Diogo was trained as a chef in Portugal and he quit a restaurant he owned for five years before getting to work with the City star.
He is happy to have the hard work and long hours of restaurant life behind him and has become friends with his client, even going to concerts with him.
However life working for a Prem star is not without its challenges.
Diogo added: “The only thing that makes me cook a little more than I was expecting is Beef Wellington. It’s a pain in the a**.
“I have lots of things to prepare – snacks, broth, dinner – and I have to keep the kitchen and cupboard organised.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is trying to do new things every week.
“Trying to balance a nice menu is quite hard. Cooking every day different dishes it is hard to read a lot and watch a lot of food programmes. But he is not fussy so it is easy.”
Heartache as Little Blue Hero, 6, who ‘wore uniform with great pride’ dies after special emergency services parade
HEARTBREAKING tributes are pouring in for a six-year-old boy who sadly died over the weekend.
Little Leon Obiedzinski sadly passed away at home on Sunday just weeks after his dream came true and he was made a Honorary Garda.
His death comes just weeks after his dream came true and he was made an Honorary Garda.
The “little warrior” was made an Honorary Garda by the Little Blue Heroes, an Irish charity that works to support the families of children with serious illnesses.
Ahead of St Patrick’s Day, the charity had arranged a special day for Leon and his family.
The young boy was given the chance to dress up in his own uniform, get his own Garda number by Cork Superintendent Finbarr O’Sullivan and get a chance to see the action up close.
Leon and his family were also treated to a parade of emergency vehicles as they drove by his home with their sirens on.
He had the chance to meet Gardai and members of Cork City Fire Brigade, the Coastguard, The Civil Defence and the National Ambulance Service.
And following Leon’s death, the Little Blue Heroes charity announced they had retired his Garda number, which was HG620, so it can’t be used again.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “It was our great sadness to hear of the passing of HG620 Leon from Ballincollig Co Cork.
“He wore his uniform with great pride, and he was a warrior. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
“Also, a thank you to the local emergency services who came out in great numbers to make HG Leon’s dreams come through to become an Honorary Garda over the last few weeks. Fly high little man and may you rest in peace.”
Leon also took part in Ballincollig Taekwon-Do School’s “Little Ninjas” class, who said he was a “wonderful student”.
They said: “We will lovingly remember him always in our thoughts and prayers.”
Ballincollig AFC also shared some kind words about the youngster online, sending their “thoughts and prayers”.
They said: “Ballincollig AFC would like to offer sincere condolences to Michal Obiedzinski of our Under 15B team on the very sad passing of his brother Leon, to his parents Wojciech and Anna and sister Agata, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. May your sweet boy Leon, Rest In Eternal Peace.”
‘PRIVILEGE TO HAVE KNOWN LEON’
Leon is remembered by his loving parents Wojciech and Anna, brother Michal and sister Agata and extended family and friends.
Other family friends have also paid tribute to the “beautiful” boy.
One said: “Dear Anna, Wojciech, Michal and Agata, we are so saddened by the passing of your beautiful son and brother Leon.
“It was a privilege to have known Leon. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Our most sincere condolences, Dermot, Sandra, Alex and Zara Walsh, and all at Bishopstown Tae Kwon Do club.”
Another said: “My Deepest Condolences to The Obiedzinski Family on the loss of your beautiful boy. My thoughts are with you at this sad time, May Leon Rest in Peace.”
A third added: “I was devastated to hear of this news and heart goes out to your family.
“I remember meeting Leon twice, once at the office and once at the Marina Market, and both times I was struck by how curious and sweet he was – not to mention adorable!
“I am so sorry that I am unable to attend his service but I will be keeping him and you all in my prayers and thoughts.”
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