Report: Amanda Knox Alleges Sexual Harassment by Prison Guard
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Oli Scarff/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — In her soon-to-be released memoir, Amanda Knox will reportedly claim that she was sexually harassed by prison guards during her four years at Italy’s Capanne prison.
In the book, Knox, according to the Daily Mail, writes that prison guard Raffaele Argiro would summon her for “chit chats” alone in his office at night. Knox reportedly expands on letters she wrote to friends obtained by British tabloids, saying the guard was fixated on the topic of sex, asking about her partners and if she would have sex with him.
“I was so surprised and scandalized,” Knox was quoted writing in the memoir, according to the Daily Mail.
Her memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, published by HarperCollins, will be released on April 30.
Argiro has since retired and denies the allegations.
“Obviously to hit on a prisoner who has no power when you’re a man who is a prison official with enormous power, is very, very scary for a young woman,” Vanity Fair contributing editor Judy Bachrach said.
Knox was imprisoned at the Capanne prison in Perugia since she was arrested in 2007 for the murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. In 2009, Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison while ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years.
Knox was released from prison in 2011 after the appeals court threw out her conviction and scolded the prosecution’s handling of evidence and the case. Sollecito was also released.
Knox reportedly writes about a female inmate who wanted to start a lesbian affair. Knox alleges that she was falsely told by officials that she was HIV positive.
“Within the Italian people there is still that feeling that she’s a spoiled rich kid who decided to kill her roommate for kicks. This is ludicrous. So there is a possibility she will be found guilty again,” Bachrach said.
Just last month, Knox learned that the Italian Supreme Court ordered a new trial, meaning her marathon legal battle would continue for her and Sollecito.
Knox said the court’s decision was “painful” and “completely unfounded and unfair.”
The new trial is expected to start sometime next year, according to Knox’s lawyer.
Since her release from prison, Knox has resumed her life in Seattle, taking classes and spending time with her family and boyfriend, James Terrano.
Knox’s first interview since she was freed will air during a primetime special on Tuesday, April 30, at 10 p.m., ET on ABC.
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