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Knox Beaten By Italian Police: Stepdad

Stepfather accuses Italian law enforcement of mishandling case

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted Mar 22, 2009 5:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Accused killer Amanda Knox was repeatedly beaten during an all-night interrogation by Italian police, her stepfather tells the Independent. The American student, charged with murdering her British roommate on a study-abroad program, told police she was in the apartment during the murder—but made the statement after she was hit on the head by a policewomen, said stepdad Chris Mellas. "It was coercion," he added.

"They did what they needed to do to get her to say what they wanted her to say." Knox was not allowed to speak to an attorney, in violation of Italian law, said Mellas. She was also forced to rely on biased interpreters who participated in her interrogation, he added. As for her bizarre behavior—Knox practiced yoga at the police station and shared details of her vibrator in court—her stepfather said it was simple: "That's Amanda!"

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (3)]

US murder suspect Amanda Knox, center arrives in a courtroom to attend a hearing in her trial, in Perugia, Italy, yesterday. (AP Photo/Stefano Medici)

Italian murder suspect Raffaele Sollecito arrives in a courtroom for a hearing in Perugia, Italy. (AP Photo/Stefano Medici)

This is the house where British student Meredith Kercher was found dead in 2007. (AP Photo/Stefano Medici)

US murder suspect Amanda Knox is escorted in a courtroom. (AP Photo/Stefano Medici)

Amanda Knox appears upset during her trial at Perugia's court, Italy. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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They screwed with Amanda's head so bad that night she didn't know what was right and wrong. - Chris Mellas, Knox's Stepfather

In Italy you have a right to a lawyer as you do in the United States. But they told her that if she had one it would make it bad for her. Even if she had insisted, they would not have allowed it.
- Chris Mellas, Knox's Stepfather

The stress on my family is excessive. The trial dominates your life completely. You wake up and it's the first thing on your brain, and it's the last thing when you go to sleep, and frequently it also bothers you while you're sleeping. - Chris Mellas, Knox's Stepfather

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Knox Beaten By Italian Police: Stepdad