Reports of Amanda Knox and family "shopping" around TV stations for a paid interview are bogus, according to Knox's father and step-father. She is pictured striking a pose while practicing soccer in her teens.
The West Seattle Herald has received updated confirmation from Amanda Knox's father, Curt, and step-father, Chris Mellas, who each told us that reports are untrue from the British newspaper, the Telegraph, as well as announcements made by major Seattle TV stations, that Amanda Knox and her family have been "shopping around" for a lucrative TV interview deal.
Knox is the West Seattle, UW foreign exchange student currently serving a 26-year prison term in Italy for the murder of her college roommate there in Perugia, Meredith Kercher.
The West Seattle Herald reported May 16 that, according to Mellas, the Nick Pisa article that appeared in a British newspaper about the TV interview was not accurate. Since our report, two or more major news outlets in Seattle have a also reported that Amanda Knox was to give a paid TV interview. Because this story persisted, we checked back with Mellas, and Amanda's father, Curt Knox.
Curt Knox's statement to the West Seattle Herald is consistent with Mellas, who confirmed our May 16 report that the interview story was untrue.
On May 18, Curt Knox said, ""Amanda nor her family have ever pursued interviews for money and what is being reported currently is false. Amanda and her family have never been paid to do an interview in the past either."
Also on May 18, Mellas confirmed what he said, and told the West Seattle Herald he would continue to update us on this story.
In our May 16 story, Mellas said, "An article appearing in the British Newspaper Telegraph's online edition that Amanda Knox will appear on a TV interview is inaccurate...
"The (Telegraph) article is trying to create a controversy out of nothing," Mellas told the West Seattle Herald by phone from Perugia. "This is a non-issue (...) There was a request for an interview, but it has been denied by the Ministry of Justice. They are in charge of making this decision, not a judge, because the case is sort of in limbo. There is currently no judge assigned. Otherwise it would be up to a judge whether Amanda would be permitted an interview.
Mellas added, "if the judge allows it, we will not receive any money from it."
To read our May 16 article, click on: http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/05/16/news/update-article-amanda-…
