Message #6934

[Johan555]

Neutral Expert Dismisses 'the Murder Weapon'
'ANY KNIFE COULD HAVE DONE THAT WOUND'
End of a Myth


On the news. Special appearance of The Knife

Those who work at the Meredith Kercher case know very well that mythical day when a bunch of people coming from all over Italy met in a room to grasp the elements of a mystery.
The summoned individuals were all the scientists of the case, they had to analyze the gastric content, the hyoid bone, the neck, etc.
But the most emotional exhibit of the day was a knife, the most popular knife in Italy, the cheapest possible knife, the one that you find in all stands at the marketplace: aMarietti knife. Presumed murder weapon of the case.
It was introduced in the room, it was taken out of the box with all precautions, it was shown to them like a relic. They could have a look at it from a distance, and see, or believe to have seen, the groove into which the biological material of Meredith was found.



Exclusive. Scientific view of the knife.

Long time elapsed since, and that shoddy, banal knife has enjoyed quite a career as a relic and a myth. Everybody standing today, when it was suddenly introduced in court. Even if it was just in a box people were plunging down the stairs to be in its presence. Even later, when it was shown in a tacky cellophane dress --not suitable for the star it was-- people were elbowing to have the privilege to stand for a second before the famous fetish.

And actually yes, knowing that it was the murder weapon, it may be important having a look at it, it may be useful, it may be emotionally powerful to witness a tool of evil. But if, instead, that knife was only used to slice bread, than we are all a bunch of schmucks.

Today the judges' experts -- Giancarlo Umani Ronchi, Mario Cingolani and Anna Aprile-- were heard. They are nothing new, we know by heart their position --deployed in the pre-history of the case-- about the sexual violence which can't be proven, the time of death which can't be precisely determined, and The Knife which is compatible or, to use their words, non incompatible with the fatal wound.
But hearing finally someone neutral is not only a scientific pleasure, is as well important for the trial. Reports, indeed, count up to a point, and things have to be said in court, in the debate. That's were the proof is created.

No proof was created today about the sexual violence and the time of death, status quo.
But over the famous fetish the battle has been harsh.

Professor Cingolani has been stressed by basically everyone about the relation between wounds and knife. He has been treating, even with surprising positions, all minor wounds.
Until Amanda Knox's lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova brought him to say something very clear about the main one: any single-edge knife is compatible with Meredith's larger wound.

He could have revealed it before, and maybe we wouldn't be at this stage. What to say? Nothing really new for us, but at this point believing theMarietti knife --found at its place in Raffaele's kitchen-- as the murder weapon starts to be a matter of faith. Or of obstinacy.