Doubts in the Amanda Knox case warrant impartial review

IN the end, the sex-game murder plot — or was it the hate-the-roommate back story — offered by zealous prosecutors was too compelling to let go of. And Seattle exchange student Amanda Knox will spend more years in an Italian prison for a murder she may not have committed.

There are buckets of reasonable doubt in this case. Prosecutors did a poor job establishing a motive and presenting convincing evidence.

The early portrait of a former University of Washington student who exhibited unconventional behavior during the investigation remained more damning than irrefutable proof of her hand in the murder of roommate Meredith Kercher.

Knox's family will appeal her conviction and they should. Knox has a better chance of acquittal on appeal. Sen. Maria Cantwell is urging the U.S. government to express concerns to Italy about a fair appeals process by an impartial tribunal. Cantwell noted that jurors were not sequestered and appear to have been provided false information.

Even Americans who adore so many things Italian cannot abide the outrageous behavior outside the court last week as Knox was pronounced guilty. Perugians cheered prosecutors and jeered Knox's financially beleaguered and emotionally distressed family.

A drifter from the Ivory Coast, Rudy Guede, was more clearly connected to the crime scene by blood, DNA, fingerprints and his own words. He was found guilty of sexual assault and conspiracy to kill Kercher in a trial last year but is now appealing his conviction.

Knox may not have been best pals with her roommate. She may have been on drugs the night of the killing. She may have done inappropriate cartwheels at the police station.

Some of that makes her unusual, but does not make her a murderer.

The U.S. government should take a stand and insist on a more equitable trial on appeal. The case is full of holes and packed full of reasonable doubt.