Question Author
Evidence 7
Amanda�s Police Statement, and the text with Lumumba
Amanda made inconsistent statements. But, what is often overlooked, is thatthe actual truth was contained in Amanda�s first statement.
Her untrue, fanciful, statement, was the second statement, made under Police pressure. Here�s why ...
Between 5 November 2007 and the morning of 6 November 2007, after an arduous interrogation, Amanda made two statements. The second statement described a dream or vision of herself covering her ears to block out screams while Lumumba (!) was in Meredith's room.
Both Lumumba and Guede are black men. It now seems clear that the Police who interrogated Amanda were aware, on the basis of hair they had recovered from the victim's hand, that a black person was involved in the crime. For that reason, they steered her toward Lumumba.
Amanda had exchanged text messages with Lumumba on the evening of 1 November. At 8.18 pm, Lumumba sent a message telling Amanda that there wasn't much business and she didn't need to come in to work. At 8.35 pm, she confirmed receiving the message and said "See you later. Good night."
According to Judge Claudia Matteini's court order of 9 November 2007, the Police wrongly believed that Amanda�s text message meant that she intended to meet Lumumba later, and they continued to press her on this point. Rememer that, at this time, the Police were still going to prosecute Lumumba.
Conclusion ... Both Amanda and Raffaele�s initial statements to police were truthful and accurate. They told the truth immediately. The Police then pressurised Amanda into changing her story, and then tried to portray the bizarre notion that she had changed her mind about the facts.