Book Review: II- The Monster of Florence

       Italy's legal system differs from that of America.  Despite codified rights of the accused, other provisions clearly tip the balance of power to the state.  From the time of the beginning of the investigation into an alleged criminal act until the alleged perpetrator is formally charged, considerable time may have elapsed while the accused can languish in a state prison, possibly in solitary confinement, depending on the judge/ prosecutor.   The entire procedure is bereft of any inclination to a "speedy" trial.   Apparently, in Italian courts, time is of little consequence.   The poor accused can barely communicate with hired lawyers trying to arrange a defense.
      These conditions hardly do justice to the rights of the accused which are, in general, poorly administered.   All factors contributed to the ridiculous lengths that the processes were taken to over the course of almost 20 years.
     Over the last few years of active proceedings, author Mario Spezi was arrested and accused of being an accessory to an alleged cover up of some of the original crimes in some hare-brained scheme fabricated by a known ranter, a Ms. Carlizzi.  Author Preston was arrested and advised by the prosecuter, Giuliano Mignini, from Perugia, to leave the country or face a long pretrial incarceration.  He took the advice, and left the country with his family. 
    Once on American soil, he organized an international protest that worked to free Spezi and embarass the Italian courts and the Italian press.  While these proceedings were in progress, Prosecutor Mignini filed murder charges against American college student, Amanda Knox, whose English roommate was murdered by a 21 year old African from the Ivory Coast.(He was later convicted).  Amanda and her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito were also convicted, but they were released on appeal after spending four years behind bars.
     Mignini used the same tactics in Florence as he did in Perugia: make outlandish claims, leak details to the press and pressure all contrary witnesses to flee the scene.  Mignini was later charged and convicted for obstruction of justice and abuse of office.  His 16 month sentence is being served under outside supervision.
      Only today Aug. 25,2013, Amanda Knox, from her home in Seattle, Washington, announced she will not return to Italy to undergo yet another trial for the crime which she did not commit and was acquitted of on appeal by the Italian courts.
    The Monster of Florence was never captured; and despite an open file, police have discontinued an active investigation.
   I would recommend this book for those interested in mysteries-unsolved.   Perhaps if the Italian police were not so inept, not so interested in maintaining "face" at all costs; not so rigid in their system as it relates to human rights and the rights of the accused, maybe the crimes would have been
solved.   Perhaps not.