The Monster of Florence is a good read. It gives a lot of insight into the mind of Mignini and some of the differences between American and Italian cultures. When I learned that Mignini was also involved in the MK murder case, I looked at the prosecution and conviction of AK and RS with new eyes. Based solely on news coverage, I originally thought that they probably were somehow involved. I then read the Monster of Perugia and was appalled! I am absolutely convinced that they are innocent. Mignini is a hardcore conspiracy theorist, and it is clear to me that a wild theory of the murder was concocted before the evidence was evaluated. And because "salvare la faccia", saving face, is a big part of the Italian consciousness, we will never hear him say, "I was wrong". (For the record, I am not criticizing Italians overall, just simply stating what I have learned about the culture.)
I just finished AK's book and found it compelling and started reading RS's yesterday. I can't believe that this nightmare isn't over for them.
(I've lurked quite a bit on this thread, but have hesitated to post as it can get rather heated in here. :seeya
That book sounds good [The Monster of Perugia]. I've started with the Monster of Florence because it was written by Douglas Preston, an American who had his own problems with the Italian prosecutor, and I remember him saying at the time, Amanda went to Italy a fresh young girl and will come home a middle aged woman. So far, I have been unable to sleep through this book. It's that good. :seeya:
April 23, 2010 7:54 AM
Monster of Florence: Amanda Knox Prosecutor's Satanic Theories Rejected by Judge
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20003238-504083.html
"Mignini's malicious and completely unwarranted accusations ruined many lives and impoverished the defendants and their families," Douglas Preston, the author of "The Monster of Florence," told Crimesider. Added Mario Spezi, Preston's co-author in Italy, "The great question is: How was it possible that Mignini was able to pursue a case that everyone knew was crazy?"
Those who follow the case of Amanda Knox, the American student convicted of murder in Perugia last December, will find much of this familiar.
Giuliano Mignini was the prosecutor in Knox's case. Mignini argued, at one point, that Knox was demonically motivated when, he says, she killed her roommate, Meredith Kercher in November 2007.