Podcast Summary

I Wish You Were Here

Host: Michelle Cuervo
Episode: Amanda Knox: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview of the Episode

Michelle Cuervo revisits the tumultuous true-crime saga of Amanda Knox, delving into the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, and the years-long legal and media storm that followed. Michelle guides listeners through Knox's background, the night of the crime, the botched investigation, false confessions, wrongful imprisonment, and eventual acquittal—highlighting the roles of flawed forensics, media sensationalism, and public opinion in nearly ruining a young woman’s life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Amanda Knox’s Background (00:29–05:00)

• Amanda grew up in Seattle, described by friends as “curious, quirky and independent.”
• Loved learning, traveling, and was “very emotionally expressive.”
• Studied linguistics at the University of Washington, inspiring her to study abroad in Perugia, Italy.
• Prior experience studying abroad in Japan at 14 and a love for Italian language and culture.

Early Days in Perugia (05:00–09:00)

• “For the first several weeks of her study abroad experience, Amanda was living what felt like the ideal version of it.” (Michelle, 06:30)
• Lived with three other young women (two Italians, one British—Meredith Kercher).
• Settled into local life: giving guitar lessons, bartending, immersing herself in Italian culture.

The Relationship with Raffaele Sollecito (09:00–10:30)

• Amanda met Raffaele, a computer engineering student, at a concert; quickly became inseparable.

The Day of the Crime (10:30–18:00)

• November 2, 2007: Amanda returns to her apartment to pack for a trip; immediately senses “something felt off.”
• Door was wide open (“weird”), roommates unresponsive, eerie silence.
• Finds a few drops of blood and an unflushed toilet. “But...she didn't immediately go to the worst case scenario.” (Michelle, 13:50)
• After consulting Raffaele, Amanda calls her roommates, eventually meets roommate Philomena to investigate further.

Discovery of Meredith Kercher’s Body (18:00–20:00)

• The door to Meredith’s room is found locked; Philomena’s bedroom window is broken, but nothing stolen.
• Police are called; Philomena’s boyfriend kicks down Meredith’s door, discovering her murdered body.
• “It was a gruesome crime scene. Meredith had been brutally essayed and stabbed to death in her own bedroom.” (Michelle, 19:25)

The Initial Investigation and Focus on Amanda (20:00–23:00)

• Despite no physical evidence, Amanda and Raffaele’s demeanor—“indifferent...smiled and laughed” (quote from police)—draws scrutiny.
• Amanda's behavior (e.g., cartwheels and handstands at the station) seen as “weird,” fueling suspicion.

Police Tactics and Coercion (23:00–28:50)

• Amanda interrogated for 10 hours, kept in custody for 53 hours, often questioned in Italian without a lawyer.
• Investigators falsely claim Raffaele turned against her to break down her story.
• Analysis of Amanda’s phone records leads police to suspect her boss, Patrick, whom she had texted the night of the murder.
• Under psychological duress, Amanda signs a confession implicating herself and Patrick—later recanting it immediately, to no avail.

Notable quote:

“They started asking leading questions, blaming her for the crime, pretty much...And sooner than later, because investigators began to question if she was telling the truth, she began to question herself.” (Michelle, 24:40)

“They took that text message to mean that I had met an appointment to meet with my boss, Patrick...So they assumed I left Raphael’s apartment that night, met up with my boss Patrick, and he raped and murdered Meredith. And I witnessed it but then blocked it out of my memory because I was so traumatized.”
Amanda Knox recounted, quoted by Michelle (28:00)

Media Vilification & Sensationalism (28:50–32:00)

• Amanda painted as “Foxy Knoxy,” with her appearance, sexuality, and character dissected in headlines.
• Theories of satanic rituals, sexual depravity, and jealousy propagated by media—none of which held up in court.

Notable quote:

“From the beginning, the media framed Amanda as some sort of persona rather than a student or a human being, really.” (Michelle, 31:45)

Evidence and Legal Battles (32:00–34:00)

• Over 400 pieces of evidence collected, but physical evidence (DNA) eventually points not to Amanda, Raffaele, or Patrick, but to Rudy Guede—an acquaintance with a criminal record who fled the country after the murder.

• Investigators, unwilling to let go of their theory, propose Amanda orchestrated a group assault—despite no supporting evidence.

• Amanda and Raffaele are convicted in 2009 based on circumstantial/tainted forensic evidence, sentenced to 26 and 25 years respectively.

Appeals, Acquittal, and Aftermath (34:00–35:05)

• 2011: Both are acquitted on appeal when evidence is called into question.
• 2013–2015: Italian Supreme Court orders retrial, but ultimately both are cleared in 2015.
• Guede is convicted separately, originally sentenced to 30 years, later reduced; released in 2021.

Memorable Moment:

Amanda’s letter after being cleared:
"To hold my hand and offer support and respect throughout the obstacles in the controversy...I am eternally grateful for their caring hospitality and their courageous commitment to those that wrote me, that defended me, that stood by me, that prayed for me. I am forever grateful to you." (Michelle reading, 34:50)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:29–05:00 — Amanda Knox’s background and personality
• 10:30–13:50 — Amanda re-enters the apartment, finds clues something is wrong
• 18:00–20:00 — Discovery of Meredith’s body
• 20:30–23:15 — Amanda comes under suspicion; analysis of her demeanor
• 24:40 — Description of the coercive police interrogation tactics (notable quote)
• 28:00 — Amanda’s coerced confession and the chain of events following
• 31:45 — Media’s impact and “Foxy Knoxy” persona (notable quote)
• 32:00–35:00 — Legal battles, DNA evidence, and ultimate acquittal
• 34:50 — Amanda’s letter of gratitude after acquittal (memorable moment)

Notable Quotes

• “She was someone who had been very emotionally expressive her entire life. But above anything else, ... her favorite thing ... was traveling.” (Michelle, 03:20)
• “Amanda and Raphael appeared completely indifferent to everything.” (Police officer, presented by Michelle, 21:50)
• “From the beginning, the media framed Amanda as some sort of persona rather than a student or a human being, really.” (Michelle, 31:45)
• “They started asking leading questions, blaming her for the crime, pretty much...And sooner than later, because investigators began to question if she was telling the truth, she began to question herself.” (Michelle, 24:40)
• Amanda recalls interrogation: “They took that text message to mean that I had met an appointment to meet with my boss, Patrick...and he raped and murdered Meredith. And I witnessed it but then blocked it out of my memory because I was so traumatized.” (Amanda, as quoted at 28:00)
• “Amanda wrote the following letter... ‘I am forever grateful to you.’” (Michelle, reading from Amanda’s letter, 34:50)

Closing Thoughts

Michelle emphasizes that Amanda Knox’s ordeal is a sobering lesson in:

• The peril of judging people’s “weirdness” as guilt
• How the media and authorities can shape, warp, and destroy lives with sensationalized theories and tunnel vision
• Importance of remembering Meredith Kercher as a person, not just a case

Current status:
Amanda Knox is now a public advocate for the wrongfully accused, and the Kercher family continues to mourn their daughter’s loss.

Tone & Style

Michelle’s narration blends empathetic storytelling with conversational asides. She openly shares her disbelief and frustration over the injustice in the case, forging a close rapport with listeners (“Do you have any words? Because I literally don’t.” 35:05). The overall tone is direct, emotional, and reflective—intended to inform and engage, while evoking empathy for both victim and accused.