Tuesday 29 September 2020

Amanda Knox joins bid to help jailed NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere by signing petition demanding prosecutors answer questions about the sex-trafficking case

 Amanda Knox has signed a petition calling for federal prosecutors to answer questions about the sex-trafficking case of NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, according to reports.

The 33-year-old, who herself had her murder conviction overturned in Italy in 2009, is demanding that Brooklyn authorities reassess alleged evidence, jury and witness tampering.

Raniere, 60, wrote up the petition that ten of his loyalists later delivered to prosecutors asking them to respond to 'eight simple statements' about their conduct by Wednesday.

'I was contacted by some former members of NXIVM who claim that Mr Raniere has been wrongfully convicted and that the story being told in the media is wrong,' Knox told The Albany Times Union on Sunday.

'I personally do not know enough about the case to make any judgments about whether his conviction is wrongful or not.

'These supporters of Mr Raniere asked me to sign a petition asking the prosecutors in the case to affirm some principles of prosecutorial conduct that any prosecutor should be able to affirm, such as not engaging in perjury, not tampering with evidence, and not threatening witnesses.

'I signed the petition because violation of these practices would constitute prosecutorial misconduct, regardless of Mr Raniere's guilt or innocence.' 

Raniere was arrested at a Mexican hideout in 2018 following an investigation into the NXIVM group.  

NXIVM started out as a purported self-help group in Albany, New York, before members were turned into sex slaves (cult leader Keith Raniere pictured)

NXIVM started out as a purported self-help group in Albany, New York, before members were turned into sex slaves (cult leader Keith Raniere pictured)

Some plaintiffs in the case against Raniere claim they were forced to have Raniere's initials, K A R, branded on their bodies (pictured)

Some plaintiffs in the case against Raniere claim they were forced to have Raniere's initials, K A R, branded on their bodies (pictured)

He was the sole defendant to go to trial, resulting in his June 2019 conviction for racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes. 

Raniere is due to be sentenced on October 27 with prosecutors asking the judge to sentence him to life in prison.

In a submission to the court earlier this month, Raniere's lawyers said he had no remorse and stands by his innocence. 


He has accused the government of misconduct and says he deserves a new trial. 

Throughout the pandemic several cult followers have danced outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where he is being held in a show of support for their leader and 'master'.

Seagrams liquor heiress Clare Bronfman, 41, will also be sentenced this week as she refuses to denounce her loyalty to sex cult and its notorious leader. 

Prosecutors are demanding she serve five years in prison. 

Seagrams liquor heiress Clare Bronfman, 41, (right) will also be sentenced this week as she refuses to denounce her loyalty to sex cult and its notorious leader

Seagrams liquor heiress Clare Bronfman, 41, (right) will also be sentenced this week as she refuses to denounce her loyalty to sex cult and its notorious leader 

NXIVM started out as a purported self-help group in Albany, New York, but members were turned into sex slaves.

They were made to live off just 500 calories a day, branded with Raniere's initials and groomed to have sex with him. 

The cult fell into the national spotlight for its famous members including actress Nicki Clyne of Battlestar Gallactica; actress Allison Mack of TV's Smallville; India Oxenberg, daughter of TV star Catherine Oxenberg of Dynasty fame; and physician Danielle Roberts.

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