Sky did the same, well not quite in the same way as the DM, but it was on live TV, so a big mistake. They were all wanting to be first on this story. I think most if not all the papers had a story already prepared for each of the possible outcomes, so they were ready to press the button. They all do it but it doesn't of course make it right.
http://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2011/10/03/foto/amanda_skynews_sbaglia_la_traduzione_e_la_condanna_-22647496/1/I think the decision was the correct one. I feel for the Kerchers and can understand their view that there were 10,000 pages of evidence, but this appeal effectively discredited two huge bits of evidence, a knife possibly used in the commission of the offences with the victim and AK's DNA on it and virtually the only thing that directly linked RS to the crime scene. Those things would have been hugely important to a jury over here considering an initial verdict under the same circumstances. Of course Italy does it the opposite way round to us, Judges at first instance and jurors at the first appeal. Any final hearing will not include lay jurors, I wonder whether that will mean greater/different consideration of the other evidence?
However, I do think the finding relating to the offence of implicating Patrick Lumumba is quite odd. The court increased the sentence and the defence apparently accepted that the allegations were not made due to duress/coercion .... so why would she implicate him? Finding her guilty of that and not of the murder seems odd to me? Was that damage limitation in terms of the sentence already served? to save a civil action?
The media will run with this for weeks/months but the motivations report will be interesting. It should also give some clues as to what the final appeal may/will have to overcome. Mind you the Dr Murray/Michael Jackson trial is in full swing so maybe the US media will move on quicker than we think.
God bless the Kercher family though, an exemplar of dignified behaviour during what must have been a terrible ordeal for them, which unfortunately continues.
